Whether you’re hosting Game Day, planning a casual party, or just craving a “snack dinner” that everyone actually gets excited about, chicken wings always deliver. They’re crispy, saucy, dunkable, and somehow the first thing to disappear from the table every single time.

And the best part? There’s a wing flavor for everyone! Classic Buffalo wings, sticky-sweet BBQ wings, spicy wings with serious heat, dry rub wings with big flavor, and even lighter baked or air fryer versions that still come out crispy and delicious.

So I put together this roundup of the best chicken wing recipes—a mix of classic favorites and fun flavor twists that are perfect for parties, family dinners, and everything in between. If you’re looking for wing inspiration, this list will keep you covered all year long.

pinterest collage image for the best chicken wing recipes

Tips for Making the Best Wings at Home

A few simple tricks make a big difference:

  • Pat wings dry before cooking for crispier skin
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan—wings need space to crisp
  • Toss wings in sauce right before serving so they stay crispy
  • Use a wire rack on a baking sheet when baking (if you have one)
  • Store leftover wings in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
  • Reheat leftovers in the oven (375°F) or air fryer until hot and crispy again.
  • Avoid re-heating in the microwave if you want crispy skin.

35+ Best Chicken Wing Recipes

Below are the best wing recipes to make at home—whether you love them sticky, spicy, or extra crispy.

collage of 4 classic chicken wing recipes

Classic Chicken Wing Recipes

  1. Classic Buffalo Wings: The OG wing flavor—tangy, buttery, spicy, and perfect with ranch or blue cheese.
  2. Baked Buffalo Wings: All the Buffalo flavor, baked in the oven for an easy hands-off method.
  3. Extra Crispy Oven-Baked Wings: Crispy skin without frying? Yes please. These are perfect for saucing or dry rubs.
  4. Lemon Pepper Wings: Bright, peppery, and totally addictive—this flavor is a must for wing nights.
  5. Garlic Parmesan Wings: Savory, buttery, cheesy, and always a crowd favorite.
collage of 4 sweet and sticky wing recipes

Sweet and Sticky Wing Recipes

  1. Honey Glazed Chicken Wings: Sweet, smoky, sticky, and perfect for kids and adults alike.
  2. Brown Sugar BBQ Wings: That caramelized sweet BBQ flavor that makes you lick your fingers.
  3. Honey Garlic Wings: Sweet and garlicky with a glossy sauce—this one always disappears fast.
  4. Sweet Chili Glazed Chicken Wings: Sticky with just the right kick—sweet chili sauce is wing magic.
  5. Teriyaki Wings: Sweet, savory, and perfect for serving with sesame seeds and green onions.
  6. Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Wings: These are tossed with a delicious honey mustard sauce.
  7. Pineapple BBQ Wings: A fun tropical twist—sweet pineapple pairs surprisingly well with wings.
  8. Maple Glazed Wings: Sweet and cozy with a sticky glaze that feels perfect for fall/winter.

collage of 4 spicy wing recipes

Spicy Wing Recipes (For Heat Lovers)

  1. Extra Spicy Buffalo Wings: For those who like real heat—these bring the fire.
  2. Cajun Wings: Bold seasoning, smoky flavor, and a little kick.
  3. Chipotle Wings: Smoky, spicy, and full of flavor—chipotle makes everything better.
  4. Sriracha Wings: Spicy, tangy, and totally craveable with a sticky finish.
  5. Hot Honey Wings: Sweet + spicy perfection with a glossy hot honey drizzle.
  6. Buffalo Ranch Wings: Buffalo heat + creamy ranch flavor = the best combo.

collage of dry rub wings

Dry Rub Wings (Big Flavor, No Sauce Mess)

  1. Ranch Dry Rub Wings: All the ranch flavor without the dip (but you’ll still want dip).
  2. Sweet & Spicy Dry Rub Chicken Wings: This is easy, simple, and flavorful.
  3. Smoky Paprika Wings: Smoky, savory, and super simple—but tastes like a lot more effort.
  4. Spicy Blackened Dry Rub Chicken Wings: A “home run” recipe!
  5. Everything Bagel Wings: A fun twist with serious flavor and crunch.
  6. Italian Seasoning Wings: Garlic-herb flavor that pairs well with marinara or ranch.

collage of 4 air fryer chicken wings recipes

Air Fryer Wing Favorites

  1. Crispy Air Fryer Wings: Fast, crispy, and easy—air fryer wings are always a win.
  2. Air Fryer Buffalo Wings: All the classic flavor, extra crispy, and done fast.
  3. Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings: Crispy air fryer wings tossed in buttery garlic parm goodness.
  4. Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Wings: Seasoned breading and spicy sauce gives these wings just the right flavor.
  5. Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings: Coated in lemon pepper seasoning and finished with the best lemon pepper sauce.

collage of 4 chicken wing recipes

Fun “Something Different” Wing Flavors

  1. Korean Chicken Wings: Sweet, savory, sticky, and bold—seriously addictive flavor.
  2. Garlic Butter Wings: Simple, buttery, and loaded with flavor.
  3. Parmesan Pepper Wings: A fun mix of cheesy + peppery with that restaurant vibe.
  4. Polynesian Chicken Wings: They have a teriyaki flavor to them, and they’re delicious!
  5. Cacio e Pepe Baked Chicken Wings: Cheesy and peppery baked wings cacio e pepe style.

collage of 4 sauces

Best Dips for Chicken Wings

Wings are even better with something creamy for dunking such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, honey mustard, chipotle sauce, garlic aioli and even burger sauce or chick-fil-a sauce!

collage of 4 side dishes to go with chicken wings

What to Serve with Chicken Wings

Round out your wing spread with easy sides:

How Many Wings Per Person?

This is always the question when you’re feeding a crowd!

  • As an appetizer: Serve 4 to 6 wings per person.
  • As a main dish: Serve 8 to 12 wings per person.
  • Big game day crowd: Serve 10 to 15 wings per person.
  • Serving lots of sides? Aim for the lower end.

FAQ

How do you get wings crispy in the oven?

Pat them dry, don’t overcrowd the pan, and bake until the skin is browned and crisp. A wire rack helps a lot too.

Should you sauce wings before or after cooking?

For the crispiest wings, toss them in sauce after cooking (or right before serving).

Can you make wings ahead of time?

Yes! Cook them ahead, refrigerate, then reheat in the oven or air fryer and toss in sauce before serving.

Whether you love your wings classic Buffalo, sticky sweet, extra spicy, or loaded with bold dry rub flavor, there’s a wing recipe in this roundup that’s perfect for your next party or cozy night at home. Wings are always the first thing to disappear, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself making a double batch! Save this list for game day, weekend cravings, and anytime you need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

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