Sweet & Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Sweet & Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Wings are the ultimate appetizer! Crispy, sticky, and tossed in a honey butter hot sauce glaze, they’re quick, easy, and perfect for game day or dinner parties.
You’ll Love This Recipe Because…
- 🍗 They’re crispy without deep frying thanks to the air fryer.
- 🍯 The honey butter glaze balances sweet + heat perfectly.
- ⏱️ Just a handful of ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes.
- 🏈 Perfect for game day, parties, or cozy family dinners.
- 🥣 Marinate ahead and air fry fresh when you’re ready to serve.
Sweet & Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
for weeknights and special enough for guests.
These sweet & spicy chicken wings are sticky, crispy, and downright irresistible.
Tossed in a honey butter hot sauce glaze, they’re the perfect mix of sweet and heat.
If you love buffalo wings but want something a little cozier, these will be your new go-to recipe for entertaining, football season, or an easy weeknight treat.
Ingredients
For the Wings:
- Sweetpea Firecracker Seasoning (or your favorite wing seasoning blend)
- Olive Oil
- Chicken Wings, drumettes + flats. I like to purchase “party wings” in the grocery, where they come separated. One less step, y’all!
For the Honey Butter Wing Sauce:
- Sweetpea Firecracker Seasoning
- Butter
- Honey
Tips & Tricks
- Pat wings very dry with paper towels before seasoning for maximum crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket — air circulation is key to that crunchy finish.
- For extra spicy wings, add cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the sauce.
- Double the sauce recipe if you want extra for dipping.
- Prefer baked wings? Roast at 425°F for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway.
What to Serve With Sweet & Spicy Wings
Tools & Equipment
- Air Fryer (6 quart or larger works best for 2 lbs of wings)
- Mixing Bowls
- Tongs
- Small Saucepan
FAQ
Q: Can I bake these wings instead of using the air fryer?
Yes! Bake at 425°F for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. I prefer to bake them on a wire rack, over a half sheet pan, so air circulates around the wings.
Q: How spicy are these wings?
They’re sweeter than fiery — a mild-to-medium heat. Adjust spice level by adding extra seasoning or cayenne to taste. You can always add in some red pepper flakes to the sticky glaze or sprinkle on top when you’re serving!
Q: Can I prep them ahead?
Absolutely! Marinate up to 24 hours in advance, then air fry when ready to serve. If you’re making these in the oven, you can “dry brine” the wings on a wire rack over a sheet pan. You need to keep them in the fridge overnight with the seasoning on them, so it does take up quite a bit of fridge space! But, it’s worth it!
Sweet & Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: main dish
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: american
Description
Crispy, sticky chicken wings tossed in a honey butter hot sauce glaze—perfect for game day or dinner parties.
Ingredients
-
2 TBS Sweetpea Firecracker Seasoning
-
1 TBS Olive Oil
-
2 lbs Chicken Wings
Wing Sauce
-
1 TBS Sweetpea Firecracker Seasoning
-
2 TBS Butter
-
2 TBS Honey
Instructions
-
Toss wings with seasoning and olive oil. Marinate 2–24 hours.
-
Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
-
Air fry wings in a single layer for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
-
Melt butter, honey, and seasoning in a small saucepan.
-
Toss or drizzle wings with sauce before serving.
Notes
Sweetpea Firecracker Seasoning Blend:
-
4 ounces Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning (look for the big shaker, not the dip packet)
-
4 ounces Carolina Brewery Dry Rub (or McCormick Smokehouse Maple Seasoning)
-
2 ounces Garlic Powder
-
2 ounces Onion Powder
-
1 ounce Dried Chives
-
Optional: 2 teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes (adjust to taste)
Shake everything together in a jar, and use often!
