Spice up your meals with hot honey chicken wings with mustard. These wings are the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, making them a crowd-pleasing favorite for any occasion.
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Hot honey mustard chicken wings are one of those recipes I keep coming back to because they’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s game day, a casual weekend gathering, or just a weeknight craving for something bold and flavorful, these wings always hit the spot. The sweet heat of the honey, combined with the tangy kick of mustard, creates a mouthwatering combination that’s impossible to resist.
They’re perfect for backyard BBQs in the summer, tailgates during football season, or even as a standout appetizer during the holidays. I’ve made these for everything from Super Bowl parties to family movie nights, and they’re always a hit. Plus, they combine well with my frozen chicken wings in air fryer recipe and my lemon pepper wings.
When I first made these wings, my guests kept asking for the recipe before they’d even finished eating. That’s when I knew this was a winner. Once you try these hot honey chicken wings with mustard, I promise they’ll become a staple in your recipe rotation, just like they are in mine.
Ingredients
You'll need a mix of bold flavors and simple pantry staples to bring this dish together. These ingredients provide the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and tanginess.
- Chicken wings (drumettes, wingettes, and tip): The crispy skin and juicy meat makes them ideal for absorbing the flavors of the sauce.
- Garlic powder: Adds a rich, savory depth of flavor to season the chicken.
- Smoked sweet paprika: Enhances the flavor with a subtle smokiness and mild sweetness.
- Kosher salt: Brings out the natural flavors of the chicken and balances the seasoning.
- Ground black pepper: Adds a mild heat and earthy flavor to the wings.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasoning stick to the wings and promotes even browning during cooking. It also helps emulsify the sauce, giving it a smooth texture.
- Raw and unfiltered honey: Provides natural sweetness and sticky texture for the sauce.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a sharp, tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the honey.
- Whole grain old-style mustard: Offers a rustic texture and a more complex, tangy mustard flavor.
- Cayenne powder: Brings a spicy kick to the sauce, which pairs well with the honey.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a slight tanginess and balances the richness of the sauce.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the sauce for a perfectly balanced finish.
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
You'll want to preheat your air fryer to 375°F (191°C) while you gather the ingredients for this hot honey chicken wing recipe. Start by separating the chicken drumettes from wingettes with tips and patting the pieces dry with a paper towel.
Lightly drizzle the chicken wings with oil. Season all sides with garlic powder, cayenne powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Marinate the chicken wings for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature.
Air Fry for 5 minutes then turn the chicken wings, skin side down. Air Fry for another 8 minutes.
Combine Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, cayenne, and salt. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the mustard mixture in a small bowl. Add vinegar and honey, mix well and set aside.
In small bowl with the reserved one tablespoon mustard mixture, add olive oil. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
Lightly brush all sides of the wings with the mustard and oil mixture. Return to air fryer with chicken wings skin side down.
Air Fry wingettes with tips for another 5 minutes at 370°F (188°C). Remove wings and transfer to the shallow bowl with the hot honey mustard mixture. Lightly coat wingettes on all sides. Return to air fryer tray, skin side up. Air fry for 2 minutes, remove and allow to cool.
Air Fry drumettes for 7 minutes. Remove from air fryer and transfer to the shallow bowl with the hot honey mustard mixture. Lightly coat drumettes on all sides. Return to air fryer, skin side up. Air fry 5 minutes or until drumettes are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Transfer the wings to a plate and enjoy them with the reserved dipping sauce.
Hint: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels before seasoning them. This ensures the skin gets crispy during cooking and helps the seasoning stick better for maximum flavor.
Variations
Here are some easy ways to customize this hot honey chicken wings recipe:
- Adjust the Heat: For spicier wings, increase the cayenne powder or add a dash of hot sauce. To tone it down, reduce the cayenne or skip it altogether.
- Switch Up the Mustard: Use spicy brown mustard or horseradish mustard for a bolder kick, or try honey mustard for a milder, sweeter flavor.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley, cilantro, or chives over the wings after cooking to add a fresh, vibrant touch.
- Try Different Sweeteners: Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar in the sauce. You can also try a low-carb honey alternative.
- Incorporate Cultural Flavors: Add soy sauce or sesame oil for an Asian-inspired flair, or sprinkle smoked chipotle powder for a Tex-Mex vibe.
- Change the Cooking Method: Grill the wings instead of baking or air frying them for a smoky, charred flavor that complements the sauce perfectly.
Tips
Top tip: Preheat your oven or air fryer. Starting with a hot cooking surface helps the wings cook evenly and get golden brown.
- Don’t overcrowd the cooking surface: Arrange the wings in a single layer with space between them to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Taste the sauce before coating: Adjust the sweetness, tanginess, or spice level to suit your preferences before tossing the wings.
- Flip the wings halfway through cooking: This ensures both sides cook evenly and get crispy.
- Let the wings rest for a few minutes after cooking: This helps the sauce stick better and keeps them juicy.
Serving suggestions
For a simple lunch, serve these honey mustard chicken wings with a fresh, crunchy salad recipe. You can add a creamy dressing, like ranch or blue cheese, or opt for a lighter vinaigrette. My broccoli slaw salad or green bean tomato salad are also great side options.
If you're looking to make it a more substantial meal, serve the wings with some heartier sides. Roasted cabbage steaks or garlic mashed red potatoes are great options that offer a satisfying texture and flavor. These sides complement the wings perfectly.
For those looking for a more classic, crowd-pleasing experience, you can serve these wings with traditional sides like potato wedges. If you’re feeding a larger group or hosting a party, make some extra sauce for dipping. You can also try serving the wings with some warm, soft dinner rolls to soak up the extra sauce.
Storage
To store honey hot chicken wings, allow them to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. Store the wings in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you have leftover sauce, keep it in a separate container in the fridge as well.
When you’re ready to reheat, the best method is to bake them in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes until they’re heated through and crispy again. You can also reheat them in the air fryer for about 5 to 7 minutes for a quicker and crispier result. If the wings feel dry, you can drizzle a little extra honey mustard sauce over them before reheating to keep them juicy.
FAQs
Yes! You can control the heat by adjusting the amount of cayenne powder or hot sauce in the mustard sauce. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce or omit the cayenne, or add a bit more honey to balance out the heat.
Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly as long as you make sure to use a sugar-free honey substitute, such as a low-carb honey alternative. The wings themselves are naturally low-carb.
Yes, you can use frozen chicken wings, but make sure to thaw them completely before cooking to ensure even seasoning and cooking. If you’re short on time, you can cook them directly from frozen, but be prepared to adjust the cooking time by about 10 to 15 minutes to ensure they’re fully cooked and crispy.
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Recipe
Hot Honey Mustard Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 pieces chicken wings (drumettes, wingettes, and tip)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt add to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper add or lessen to taste
- 1 tablespoons olive oil add up to 2 tablespoons
HOT HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE:
- 3 ½ tablespoons raw and unfiltered honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon whole grain old-style mustard
- ½ teaspoon cayenne powder
- ¼ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Pre-heat Air Fryer at 375°F (191°C). Set at 25 minutes.
- Pat dry chicken wings and separate chicken drumettes from wingettes with tips.
- Lightly drizzle the chicken wings with oil. Season all sides of chicken wings with garlic powder, cayenne powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Marinate the chicken wings for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Gently transfer seasoned chicken wings, skin side up to an Air Fryer tray and slowly insert the tray into the middle cooking chamber, near the rotisserie catch. Drumettes should be placed on the tray that goes at the inner side of the cooking chamber while the wingettes with tips are placed near the Air Fryer door.
- Air Fry for 5 minutes then turn the chicken wings, skin side down. Air Fry for another 8 minutes.
- In a shallow bowl, combine Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, cayenne, and salt. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the mustard mixture in a small bowl. Pour apple cider vinegar and honey, then mix well and set aside. Opt to serve 1 tablespoon of the hot honey mustard mixture as dipping sauce.
- In a small bowl with the reserved one tablespoon mustard mixture, add olive oil. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
- Remove Air Fryer tray then lightly brush all sides of the chicken wings with the mustard and oil mixture. Return the Air Fryer tray with chicken wings skin side down.
- Adjust the Air Fryer temperature and bring down to 370°F (188°C).
- Air Fry wingettes with tips for another 5 minutes. Remove from the Air Fryer tray and transfer to the shallow bowl with the hot honey mustard mixture. Lightly coat wingettes with tips on all sides. Return to the Air Fryer tray, skin side up. Air Fryer for 2 minutes, remove, and allow to cool.
- Air Fry drumettes for 7 minutes. Remove from the Air Fryer tray and transfer to the shallow bowl with the hot honey mustard mixture. Lightly coat drumettes on all sides. Return to the Air Fryer tray, skin side up. Air Fryer for the remaining 5 minutes or until chicken drumettes are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer the hot honey mustard chicken wings to a plate and enjoy them with the reserved dipping sauce.
Sarah
I do not understand #2.
I am not a dog and eat bones. wings are NOT drumettes.
sooooo, Cut off the bone!
Drumettes are not wings.
Lisa MarcAurele
Chicken wings are made up of three parts. These three parts are the drumette, wingette (or midsection), and tip. If you need further explanation for #2, please see this article: https://www.thekitchn.com/the-small-but-mighty-chicken-wing-223119