Cooking juicy, flavorful barbecue wings in the oven is easy and delicious! With minimum effort, you can make oven-baked wings that are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside without deep-frying. Follow this simple guide for tips on preparing and baking wings with your favorite barbecue sauce glaze.

Ingredients Needed

Chicken wings (drumettes and/or flats), rinsed and patted dry
Vegetable oil or olive oil for coating
Barbecue sauce or wing sauce of choice
Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, etc.

Prep the Wings

Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. Make sure they are dry to the touch so the spices and oil adhere well.
Place wings in a large bowl and drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil or olive oil. Toss to evenly coat the wings.
Sprinkle wings liberally with preferred seasonings and toss again until evenly coated. I recommend using salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Bake the Wings

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with nonstick spray.
Arrange the wings on the rack in a single layer, making sure they aren’t crowded together.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the wings are lightly browned and crispy.

Coat with Barbecue Sauce

In a medium bowl, pour in 1/2 cup of your favorite prepared barbecue wing sauce or sauce of choice.
Working in batches, toss the baked wings in the sauce until fully coated. Return sauced wings to rack.
Bake for 8-10 more minutes until barbecue sauce is lightly caramelized.

Finish and Serve

Remove wings from oven and let sit 5 minutes before serving. This helps lock in the juices.
Garnish wings with sesame seeds, chopped scallions, or chopped parsley if desired.
Serve oven barbecue wings hot with ranch dressing, celery sticks, and extra napkins! Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Oven-Baked Wings

Choose the Right Wings

Look for meatier drumettes and flats over thin, small wings. Sturdier wings hold up better to high heat.
Separate drumettes and flats for more even cooking if using both. Flats may cook quicker.

Get the Skin Good and Dry

Pat wings very dry with paper towels. Moisture prevents crisping.

Use Baking Powder for Extra Crispiness

Toss wings with 1 tsp baking powder along with seasonings. Baking powder creates a super crispy skin.

Preheat and Use a Rack

Heating oven and rack fully before cooking prevents steaming.

Don’t Overcrowd Wings

Cook in a single layer on rack to allow air flow and direct heat contact.

Flip Wings Midway

Flipping once ensures even browning and cooking.

Rest Before Serving

Letting wings sit a bit before eating allows juices to redistribute.

How Much Time and Temp For Baked Wings

The exact oven temperature and cook time depends on if making drumettes, flats, or a mix. Here are general guidelines:

For Drumettes

Oven Temp: 425°F
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

For Flats

Oven Temp: 450°F
Cook Time: 18-22 minutes

For a Mix of Drumettes and Flats

Oven Temp: 400°F
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes

No matter what you choose, always bake wings on a wire rack set in a foil-lined pan. Flip wings halfway through bake time. Cook until skin is crispy and wings are cooked through.

Then toss in sauce and bake 8-10 minutes more. Check often to prevent burning. Adjust temperature down or up if wings are over or undercooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best oven temperature for baking wings?

Between 400-450°F is ideal. For flats alone, use 450°F. For drumettes or a mix, bake at 400-425°F. The higher heat helps render fat and achieve crispy skin.

Should I flip the wings during baking?

Yes, flipping once is recommended. Flipping halfway through ensures even browning and cooking on both sides.

How long does it take to bake wings in the oven?

30-40 minutes usually. Flats may take only 18-22 minutes while drumettes need 25-30 minutes since they are meatier. Check often to prevent overcooking.

Can I use an air fryer instead of the oven?

Absolutely! Air fryers work great. Cook wings in a single layer at 400°F, flipping once, until crispy, about 15-25 minutes. Then coat with sauce and cook 5 minutes more.

What’s the best way to sauce baked wings?

Toss cooked wings with sauce then bake again briefly. This helps the sauce caramelize and adhere best to the wings for maximum flavor.

Conclusion

With these simple steps and tips, you can easily achieve oven-baked barbecue wings right at home that are just as delicious as your favorite restaurant or takeout wings. Crisp and juicy wings in your favorite sauce can be on the table with only a little prep and time in the oven. Experiment with different sauces and spice blends to put your own unique spin on this tasty appetizer! Enjoy crispy, saucy wings straight from your oven any night of the week.

How to Cook BBQ Wings in the Oven