Made from scratch, these air fryer hot honey chicken wings are one of my must-have appetizers for game day! Sweet and spicy, these are a real crowd-pleaser, and the sauce is finger-licking good! I just know that you are going to love this one!
There is never a bad time for hot honey chicken wings, but when I find myself in a time crunch, I love that I can make a delicious batch in the air fryer in just a few minutes. I toss these air fryer hot honey chicken wings in a homemade hot honey sauce that is sweet, spicy, and seriously addictive! They’re so good, you’ll definitely want to make a double batch.
What’s in This Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe?
- Chicken: Use chicken wing portions or whole wings. Both work great!
- Guajillo Chilis: These slightly fruity and sweet peppers are medium-hot (2,500-5,000 Scoville). For reference, they are milder than jalapeño peppers. If you’re unable to find guajillo chilis, ancho chilis are the best substitute, followed by pasilla peppers, cascabel peppers, and chili peppers.
- Garlic + Onion: Create a savory base of flavor.
- Paprika: Adds a slightly sweet peppery flavor.
- Orange Juice: Adds a sweet and citrusy flavor.
- Limes: Adds a bit of citrusy tang.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Enhances the tanginess and sweetness of the wings.
- Honey: Adds extra sweetness to balance the spice.
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How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover hot honey wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the air fryer at 375°F for about 5 minutes.
Notes and Tips
- If you want the wings very spicy, leave the guajillo chilis with the seeds and veins. If you want them mild, leave them in only two of the chilis.
- The components of these wings can be prepped up to 1 day in advance. Season the chicken wings, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Make the sauce, then place in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. On the day of, you’ll simply need to fry the wings and toss them in the sauce!
- To make these wings in the oven, set the oven to 400°F and bake the wings for 40 minutes.
Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings about 20-24 wings
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 6 dried Guajillo chili peppers seeded and deveined
- ½ cup water
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons ground paprika
- ½ cup orange juice
- 3 limes juiced
- 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
For Serving (Optional):
- Blue cheese dressing
- Carrot and celery sticks
- Chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- High-Powered Blender
- Instant-Read Thermometer Optional
Instructions
- Place the chicken wings in a medium bowl. Season them with salt and pepper and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix until evenly combined.2 pounds chicken wings, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Preheat Air Fryer to 390°F. Place the wings in one layer on the air fryer rack and cook, working in batches if needed, for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy and 165°F internally.
- While the chicken cooks, make the sauce. In a small saucepan, add the guajillo chilis with the water and let boil for 6 minutes.6 dried Guajillo chili peppers, ½ cup water
- Pour the chilis and water left in the saucepan into a blender. Add the garlic, onion, paprika, orange juice, lime juice, and vinegar. Blend until smooth. Use a strainer to make sure you remove any pieces of chili so it is completely smooth.2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons chopped onion, 2 tablespoons ground paprika, ½ cup orange juice, 3 limes, 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- In a medium saucepan, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Let it heat up and pour the sauce into the pan and heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens a bit, about 10 minutes. While it’s heating up, add in the honey and additional salt and pepper to taste. Mix until combined.2 tablespoons honey
- Remove the chicken wings from the air fryer and place them into a large mixing bowl. Pour the sauce on top and toss until evenly covered.
- Serve immediately with blue cheese dressing, carrots and celery, and garnished with cilantro, if desired.Blue cheese dressing, Carrot and celery sticks, Chopped fresh cilantro
Notes
- To air fry these wings from frozen, set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 25 minutes, or until 165°F internally. To bake from frozen, set the oven to 400°F and bake for 1 hour.
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
How to Make Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Wings Step by Step
Season the Wings: Place 2 pounds of chicken wings in a medium bowl. Season them with 2 teaspoons of kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix until evenly combined.
Cook the Wings: Preheat your Air Fryer to 390°F. Place the wings in one layer on the air fryer rack and cook, working in batches if needed, for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy and 165°F internally.
Hydrate the Chilis: In a small saucepan, add 6 dried Guajillo chilis with ½ cup of water and let boil for 6 minutes.
Blend the Sauce: Pour the chilis and water left in the saucepan into a blender. Add 2 minced cloves of garlic, 2 tablespoons of chopped onion, 2 tablespoons of ground paprika, ½ cup of orange juice, the juice of 3 limes, and 1½ tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Blend until smooth. Use a strainer to make sure you remove any pieces of chili so it is completely smooth.
Thicken the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Let it heat up and pour the sauce into the pan and heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens a bit, about 10 minutes. While it’s heating up, add in 2 tablespoons of honey and additional salt and pepper to taste. Mix until combined.
Toss the Wings: Remove the chicken wings from the air fryer and place them into a large mixing bowl. Pour the sauce on top and toss until evenly covered. Serve immediately with blue cheese dressing, carrots and celery, and garnished with cilantro, if desired.
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