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Delicious Sweet and Spicy Wings

Featured in: Master the Art of Grilling and Barbecue

These wings strike the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. First, they're tossed in a spice mix featuring brown sugar, smoky chipotle, and paprika, then baked to golden perfection. While they cook, mix up a luscious sauce with maple syrup, tangy ketchup, and spicy chipotle chilies. Once the wings are done, they're coated in this sticky-sweet sauce that packs a mild heat. Ready in about an hour, this recipe makes a crowd-pleasing appetizer or game-day snack. You'll love how juicy they are on the inside with the perfect crunch outside, topped off with that crave-worthy sauce.
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Updated on Fri, 28 Feb 2025 14:03:20 GMT
Crispy Sweet and Spicy Wings Pin it
Crispy Sweet and Spicy Wings | yummygusto.com

These maple chipotle wings deliver the perfect balance of sweet and spicy with a satisfyingly crispy exterior and tender, juicy meat inside. The caramelized skin gives way to succulent chicken infused with smoky chipotle heat, while pure maple syrup adds rich sweetness that keeps you reaching for more.

This cooking technique was perfected through extensive testing to achieve restaurant-quality results at home. The key is allowing the spice rub to penetrate the meat before baking.

Key Ingredients

  • Chicken wings: Select fresh wings with intact skin for optimal results
  • Maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup for authentic flavor
  • Chipotle peppers: Canned in adobo sauce for smoky heat
  • Dark brown sugar: Adds depth and helps create glaze
  • Garlic powder: Provides even seasoning throughout

Preparation Method

Preparation:
Thoroughly dry wings and coat with oil
Seasoning:
Apply spice mixture evenly to all sides
First Bake:
Space wings apart on preheated rack
Glazing:
Coat wings thoroughly in warm sauce
Finishing:
Broil briefly until glaze caramelizes
Flavorful Sweet and Spicy Wings Pin it
Flavorful Sweet and Spicy Wings | yummygusto.com

This recipe became a cherished family favorite after numerous sauce experiments led to discovering the perfect maple-chipotle combination.

Serving Suggestions

Serve alongside fresh vegetable crudités with cooling ranch or blue cheese dressing. Complete the meal with classic coleslaw and crispy sweet potato fries.

Recipe Variations

Try substituting honey for maple syrup or incorporate gochujang sauce for Korean-inspired flavor. Adjust chipotle quantity to taste, adding more maple syrup for milder wings.

Close-up Sweet and Spicy Wings Recipe Pin it
Close-up Sweet and Spicy Wings Recipe | yummygusto.com

Years of recipe testing have resulted in these perfectly balanced wings that combine crispy texture with bold maple-chipotle flavor. The result is an irresistible appetizer guaranteed to disappear quickly at any gathering.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can these wings be prepped beforehand?
Absolutely! You can mix the rub and sauce up to 2 days ahead. Cooked wings keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days and can be reheated in the oven to get crispy again.
→ How much heat do these wings have?
They're moderately spicy due to the chipotle peppers. You can tweak the spice level by adding more or less chipotle powder or chilies to suit your taste.
→ Is it okay to use frozen wings?
Yep, just be sure they're thawed completely and patted dry before adding the rub. This ensures they get crispy as they bake.
→ What sides go well with these wings?
These wings are awesome with crunchy celery, carrots, ranch or blue cheese dressing, and extra sauce for dipping.
→ Can these be air-fried instead of baked?
Yes! Cook at 380°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and fully cooked. Then toss them in the sauce to finish.

Delicious Sweet and Spicy Wings

Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, these Sweet and Spicy Wings are covered in a maple chipotle glaze that's simply irresistible.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Sandra

Category: Fire-Grilled Foods

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 2 Servings (10 wing sections)

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ For the Sauce

01 ¼ cup of ketchup
02 3 tablespoons of real maple syrup
03 1 tablespoon of molasses (unsulfured)
04 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
05 2 teaspoons of finely chopped chipotle peppers from canned chipotles in adobo
06 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
07 ½ teaspoon of powdered mustard
08 ½ teaspoon of onion powder
09 ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder

→ For the Spice Rub

10 1 and ½ teaspoons of packed dark brown sugar
11 1 teaspoon of Hungarian sweet paprika
12 ½ teaspoon of onion powder
13 ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
14 ⅛ teaspoon of kosher salt
15 ⅛ teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper
16 ⅛ teaspoon of chipotle chili powder

→ For the Wings

17 1 pound of chicken wings (around 10 pieces in total)
18 2 teaspoons of olive oil

Instructions

Step 01

Put a wire rack on top of a baking pan or roasting sheet, then slide the whole thing onto your oven's center rack. Heat the oven to 350°F with the setup in place.

Step 02

In a small dish, stir together all the dry ingredients for the rub. Keep it nearby.

Step 03

Rinse the chicken wings and pat them dry using paper towels, tossing them into a medium mixing bowl. Pour in 2 teaspoons of olive oil and stir to evenly coat the wings. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of the dry rub mixture (or more, as you like) over the wings and mix them to cover everything. Let rest for 15 minutes so the flavors settle in.

Step 04

Lay the wings on the rack or pan with the skin side facing up. Bake for 20 minutes, flip them over, and bake for another 20 minutes.

Step 05

As the wings bake, make the sauce. Stir all the sauce ingredients together in a small pot. Bring it to a boil on medium heat, then drop the heat to low and gently simmer for about 15 minutes to blend all the flavors. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 06

Flip the wings one last time and broil them for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until they turn golden with a little char but aren’t burnt. Toss the wings in a few spoonfuls of sauce, adjusting to how saucy you like them.

Step 07

Let the wings cool down just a bit—nobody wants to scorch their tongue! Serve with extra sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

  1. Switch sweet Hungarian paprika with smoked paprika if you want a smokier vibe.
  2. Keep the leftover wings in a sealed container in the fridge; they’ll last 3–4 days.

Tools You'll Need

  • Wire rack
  • Baking or roasting sheet
  • A small bowl for the rub
  • A medium bowl for the wings
  • Small saucepan
  • Paper towels

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 482
  • Total Fat: 24 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 43 g
  • Protein: 23 g