Crispy, tangy, and full of flavor! These baked chicken wings are tossed in a sweet and spicy orange marmalade and hoisin sauce, with a hint of garlic and ginger. Perfect for a an appetizer, light meal or game day gathering.
Why You’ll Love These Sweet and Spicy Baked Wings
My entire family loves wings! My nine year-old, however, is a wing fanatic! Barbecue is definitely his favorite, but he chose these Spicy Baked Orange Chicken Wings for dinner recently and loved them–almost as much as barbecue.
Personally, I loved them more than barbecue and even traditional Buffalo wings (which I really, really like).
The combination of sweet and spicy flavors is a perfect accompaniment to the crispy chicken. And yes, you can bake up some pretty crispy wings in your oven. I make most my wings that way. It’s so much healthier and easier than frying.
The air fryer is another one of my favorite methods for making wings (you just can’t make as many at once). However you choose to cook your, the results will be delicious!
If you’re looking for a twist on classic wings, I highly recommend giving these sweet and spicy Orange Chicken Wings a try!
What Should I Serve With These Chicken Wings?
Dipping sauce like Ranch dressing and blue cheese dressing are always great with wings. And of course you’ll want some carrot and celery sticks. But I always like to round out my game day buffet with a few more tasty dips and finger foods.
This is some of our favorite football food to serve alongside wings on game day.
Ingredients for Spicy Baked Orange Chicken Wings
- Chicken Wings: I recommend using fresh, high-quality chicken wings for the best texture and flavor. You can also use frozen wings—just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before baking for that perfect crispy skin.
- Vegetable Oil: This helps makes the wings nice and crispy when baked. I prefer vegetable oil because (as opposed to olive oil) because it has a high smoke point, ensuring the wings cook evenly at high temperatures.
- Salt & Pepper: Don’t skip this simple seasoning! Adjust the amounts to your taste.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil helps create the base for the sauce. I prefer extra-virgin–it adds a fruity undertone that complements the orange marmalade.
- Garlic & Ginger: Fresh garlic and ginger are key to the bold flavor of these wings. Mince your garlic finely and grate your ginger for the best results.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: You can adjust the amount based on your spice preference. If you love heat, feel free to add an extra pinch or two, but if you prefer milder flavors, just add a pinch.
- Orange Marmalade: The star of the sauce! I recommend a natural orange marmalade with minimal added sugar.
- Hoisin Sauce: This thick, savory-sweet sauce brings a deep, umami flavor to the wings. It’s the perfect balance to the orange marmalade’s sweetness. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, make sure to check the label, as some hoisin sauces contain wheat.
Recipe Tips
Recipe Tips
- Before seasoning and baking, make sure to pat the wings completely dry with paper towels. This helps achieve that perfectly crispy skin. Any excess moisture can cause the wings to steam instead of roast.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. If the wings are too close together, they’ll steam instead of getting crispy. Use two large baking sheets or bake in batches if needed.
- Lining your baking sheets with foil and spraying them with non-stick cooking spray makes cleanup so much easier and ensures the wings don’t stick.
- Keep the sauce warm on the stove while the wings bake. When it’s time to coat the wings, the warm sauce will spread more easily and evenly.
How to Make Spicy Baked Orange Chicken Wings
Step 1
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with aluminum foil and spray them with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the wings from sticking.
Step 2
Prep the Wings: Rinse the chicken wings under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This step helps them get nice and crispy in the oven. Transfer the wings to a large bowl and toss them with vegetable oil, salt, and pepper, tossing to coat evenly. Spread the wings in an even layer on the prepared baking sheets, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Step 3
Bake the Wings: Place the wings in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through for even cooking. The wings should be golden brown and fully cooked through with a crispy exterior.
Step 4
Make the Sauce: While the wings are baking, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the olive oil and sesame oil. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, orange marmalade, and hoisin sauce. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors. Reduce heat to low and keep the sauce warm until the wings are ready.
Step 5
Coat the Wings: Once the wings are done baking, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a large bowl or a deep baking dish. Pour the warm sauce over the wings, tossing them gently to coat evenly.
Step 6
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the wings immediately while they’re hot and freshly coated. They’re perfect on their own or with your favorite dipping sauces. Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions, if desired!
Recipe FAQs
FAQs
Can I make this recipe in an air fryer?Yes! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook the wings in batches (making sure not to overcrowd the basket) for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once cooked, toss the wings in the warm orange marmalade sauce.
Can I use frozen chicken wings?Yes, you can use frozen chicken wings, but make sure to fully thaw them first. Thawing the wings in the fridge overnight works best.
What if I don't have hoisin sauce?Barbecue sauce with a bit of soy sauce stirred in will work in a pinch!
How do I store and reheat leftover wings?Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until they’re heated through and crispy again. You can also reheat them in an air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up again.
Be sure to save this recipe for Spicy Baked Orange Chicken Wings to your favorite Pinterest board for later
More Chicken Wing Recipes to Try
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Herb Garlic Chicken Wings
- Sweet Jalapeno Pineapple Boneless Wings
Spicy Baked Orange Chicken Wings
Ingredients
For the wings
- 2.5 pounds chicken wings
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the sauce
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon dried ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes or more to taste
- 1 cup orange marmalade
- 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with foil. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Rinse 2.5 pounds chicken wings and pat dry. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with 2 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Arrange in an even layer on prepared pans.
- Bake, rotating pans half-way through, until fully cooked, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove wings from oven and transfer to a large bowl or high-sided baking pan.
- While the chicken cooks, make the sauce. Combine the 2 teaspoons sesame oil and 2 teaspoons olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat. Add the 3 cloves garlic and 1/4 teaspoon dried ground ginger and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes until golden brown.
- Add the 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes, 1 cup orange marmalade and 1/3 cup hoisin sauce to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes; keep warm until chicken is ready.
- Pour the orange sauce over the cooked wings, tossing to coat, and serve immediately.
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6 comments
Mollu
Do you think could make up a big batch of these wings and freeze them for later use? I would reheat the after the thawed. Thanks!
Chad
I found this orange, spicy, crispy (baked) chicken wing recipe about 2 years ago and haven’t looked back. I’ve probably made it 10-15 times and it always comes out wonderful: http://koreanamericanmommy.blogspot.com/2010/08/asian-baked-crispy-chicken-wings.html
Give it a try! Yours looks more BBQ/orangey, while the ones I linked are more spicy, orangey, vinegary. Thanks the idea.
Shannon
We love wings as well, but for some reason, I’m afraid of doing them myself. I don’t know why really. But I’m really thinking that I need to conquer my fear and start with these. They look so good and I love spicy and orange together. These might just have to be on my menu for this week!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
Oh!!! This sounds delicious Danelle! I just made some with raspberry jam the other day and they were delicious. But orange chicken is totally one of my favorites. Need to try this one for sure, once I’m off the paleo thing of course. 🙂 Pinning and sharing!
Stephanie @ PlainChicken
We love wings. I can’t wait to try your orange sauce – looks delicious!
diane streicher
Yum. My daughters consider wings to be “boy food” – not necessarily something they are wild about. Bur orange chicken? Get out. They adore it and besides Panda Express, we make a homemade version that they love. Now I’m itching to try yours!