Description
These crispy baked wings are a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken wings, offering a perfectly seasoned, golden brown, and crunchy texture thanks to oven baking with a wire rack. Seasoned with a blend of garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a hint of cayenne pepper, these wings deliver bold flavor with less fat.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 2 pounds chicken wings
Seasoning and Coating
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
For Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Wire Rack: Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet to allow air circulation around the wings, which helps them crisp evenly.
- Dry the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring they crisp up nicely during baking.
- Coat with Olive Oil: In a large mixing bowl, add the chicken wings and drizzle with olive oil.
- Toss to Coat: Toss the wings in the olive oil until they are evenly coated for better seasoning adherence and crispiness.
- Mix Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, baking powder, and cayenne pepper if using.
- Season the Wings: Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over the wings.
- Toss Again: Toss the wings thoroughly to ensure even coverage of the seasoning mixture.
- Arrange on Rack: Spread the wings out in a single layer on the wire rack, making sure they do not touch, which promotes optimal crispiness.
- Bake the Wings: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the wings for 25 minutes on one side.
- Flip and Continue Baking: Flip the wings over and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Rest the Wings: Remove the wings from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute and for easier handling.
- Garnish: If desired, sprinkle fresh parsley over the wings for a fresh, colorful finish.
- Serve: Serve the crispy baked wings immediately as an appetizer or main dish and enjoy!
Notes
- Patting the wings dry is essential to achieve maximum crispiness.
- Using baking powder in the seasoning helps to create a crispy skin by breaking down proteins and drawing out moisture.
- The wire rack is important for airflow and even cooking, preventing soggy bottoms.
- The optional cayenne pepper adds a spicy kick but can be omitted for a milder flavor.
- These wings can be served with your favorite dipping sauces such as ranch, blue cheese dressing, or buffalo sauce.
- Leftover wings can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
