Honey Barbecue Air Fryer Chicken Wings

As you take a batch of golden-brown chicken wings out of the air fryer, the sweet, smoky aroma fills the room, teasing your taste buds. These Honey Barbecue Air Fryer Chicken Wings come together in a little over 30 minutes and deliver perfectly crispy, flavorful bites every time. The secret lies in the air fryer, which cooks the wings to a delightful crisp without the need for deep frying.

This recipe is perfect for game day gatherings, casual family dinners, or even a late-night snack. You can prepare the honey barbecue sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week, making it even easier to whip up these delicious wings when the craving strikes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy wings with minimal oil, thanks to the air fryer.
• Flavor-packed honey barbecue sauce made from scratch.
• Quick cooking time—ready in about 30 minutes.
• Perfectly seasoned, ensuring every bite is delicious.

What You’ll Need

Gather the following ingredients for the wings and sauce.

For the Wings

• 1 pound chicken wings, thawed if frozen
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• Cooking spray

For the Sauce

• ¼ cup barbecue sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

For Serving

• Chopped parsley (optional garnish)

Barbecue sauce choices can vary for flavor preferences.

Substitutions & Swaps

• Use sweetener for honey if needed.
• Soy sauce can be replaced with tamari for gluten-free.
• Use lemon juice instead of orange juice.
• Maple syrup is a good honey alternative.

How to Make It

Here’s how to create mouthwatering honey barbecue wings at home.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and pat dry all the chicken wings with a paper towel.

Mix the Seasoning

Stir together the cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large, shallow bowl.

Coat the Chicken

Toss the chicken into the seasoning mixture and coat thoroughly. Rub the seasonings in to ensure they stick to the chicken. After the wings are well covered in seasonings, coat the wings with cooking spray.

Air Fry the Wings

Place wings in the air fryer and cook for 9 minutes on each side. Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Make sure the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit before removing.

Prepare the Sauce

While the wings are cooking, bring the barbecue sauce, honey, brown sugar, orange juice, ketchup, and soy sauce to a simmer in a medium-sized saucepan. Simmer for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.

Toss in Sauce

As soon as the chicken comes out of the air fryer, toss it in the waiting honey barbecue sauce until well coated.

Serve and Garnish

Serve warm with chopped parsley as a garnish if desired.

How to Store It

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: No, wings lose their crispness when frozen.
Reheat: Use an air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes.

Tips for Best Results

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure wings are cooked through.
• Allow wings to rest briefly before tossing in sauce for extra crispiness.
• Adjust the sweetness of the sauce to taste by varying the honey or brown sugar.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.
• Serve alongside a fresh garden salad for a lighter meal.
• Enjoy on game days with friends as a shareable appetizer.