Best Baked Honey BBQ Wings

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Last Updated on February 17, 2026 by Barbara

February 17, 2026

Let’s be honest. Summer and barbecue are a match made in heaven, but I’m not always in the mood to battle a bag of charcoal or scrubbing grill grates. These Honey BBQ Chicken Wings are my secret weapon. They have that perfect “finger licking” balance of sweet honey and tangy sauce that will have you reaching for a napkin.

Whether I’m serving these as a game day appetizer or a (messy but worth it) weeknight dinner, they are my absolute go-to. The best part? You can leave the lighter fluid in the garage! I have perfected a way to make Oven Baked BBQ wings that come out just as crispy and tender as anything you find on a grill.

Here I walk you through my easy, step-by-step process to get that authentic soul food flavor. If you’ve been craving wings that are sweet, savory, and tender, you’re going to want to save this one.

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Table of Contents

How to Make Honey BBQ Wings

Baked honey BBQ Wings are a delicious treat that can be prepared anytime. To make these wings, it use very few ingredients (most of which you may already have). The key to making the best honey bbq wings is to use high quality ingredients and a flavor combinations that yield the best taste.

Ingredients for Honey BBQ Wings

Chicken wings – Make sure your chicken is fresh for optimum flavor. Feel free to use chicken wing parts or the whole chicken for this recipe.
Barbecue sauce – the key flavor ingredient. You can pick from a variety of flavors (hickory, sweet, tangy) to meet your desired outcome.
Honey – Add the sweetness to this delicious dish. I like my honey bbq chicken with just a hint of sweetness but don’t be afraid to add more if you desire.
Olive oil – The Olive Oil is used to guarantee the seasoning/spice adhere to the chicken and it aids in adding crispiness to your wings.
Soy sauce – Soy sauce add a rich tangy flavor to your wings.
Paprika – Paprika adds a mild smoky flavor. This flavor is perfect for balancing the sweetness of the honey.
Salt & Black pepper – The black pepper adds a hint of spice and the salt give this dish a savory flavor we expect.

Substitutions

Don’t worry if you’re missing a few ingredients. There are plenty of easy substitutions you may have on hand that can deliver bold, mouthwatering flavor. If you’re out of BBQ sauce, try brushing the wings with a mixture of honey, ketchup, onion powder and a teaspoon chili powder for a quick homemade alternative. For added depth, a teaspoon of garlic powder and a pinch of cayenne pepper can bring smoky heat to the wings. And if you want crispier wings, before baking combine flour and a little cornstarch to give your cooked wings that extra crunch

What You Will Need

Watch Me Make Honey BBQ Wings (Video Tutorial)

Instructions for Baked Honey BBQ Wings

Step 1: Preparation

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Be certain you have thoroughly wash your chicken wings and dried them with paper towels.

Step 2: Season the Chicken for Honey BBQ Wings

In a large bowl, drizzle your chicken wings with olive oil and mix to ensuring they are evenly coated. Next, season the wings with a teaspoon paprika, salt and black pepper again mixing well to ensure the seasonings are even distribution.

Step 3: Making the Sauce for Honey BBQ Wings

Gather your sauce ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, honey, and soy sauce until you have a smooth, well-combined sauce. Set the sauce aside for later.

Step 4: Baking the Honey BBQ Wings

Place the prepared seasoned chicken wings on a wire rack set over a baking sheet/sheet pan. This allows for even cooking and crispy skin. Bake the wings for 20 minutes.

Step 5: Coating with Barbecue Sauce

After your wings have cooked for 20 minutes, remove them from the oven and generously brush them with the prepared honey BBQ sauce. Ensure each wing is well coated then return the coated wings to the oven for another 20 minutes.

After your wings have baked for another 20 minutes, remove them again. Apply another coat of the prepared bbq sauce, then increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Bake the wings for a final 20 minutes, or until your wings are crispy, caramelized and cooked through.

These baked honey bbq wings are juicy, tender and delicious. Save this recipe for those summer days when you don’t want to fire up the grill but still want tasty bbq chicken wings.

What to Eat With Honey BBQ Wings

When it comes to pairing these wings, the sky is truly the limit. Think of all your cookout favorites such as potato salad, coleslaw, black bean salad, chicken salad, and garden salads. Add some potato chips and sweet tea and you have created the perfect summer meal. If you are looking for a heartier dish, try pairing these honey bbq wings with some soul food classics such as collard greens, mac and cheese and cornbread. Be creative and create a meal that you will absolutely enjoy!

What to Do With Leftovers

Honey bbq wings can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freezing these wings is also a great idea. It allows you to enjoy these mouthwatering wings anytime. When freezing, place the wings in a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Can I make Honey BBQ Wings in an air fryer?

Yes! You can absolutely make them in an air fryer. Cook the seasoned wings at 375°F for 22–25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once crispy and golden, toss them in your honey BBQ sauce and air fry for another 2–3 minutes to set the glaze.

Can I use frozen wings?

Yes, but make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before seasoning. Excess moisture can prevent the skin from crisping up in the oven or air fryer.

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