Garlic ginger chicken wings come out of the oven crackly and golden, then get tossed in a sticky, glossy sauce that tastes like something you'd order at your favorite Asian restaurant. They hit that sweet spot between savory, garlicky, and just a little bit sweet, and the best part is you don't need a deep fryer — a sheet pan and a wire rack get you seriously crispy skin.
Wire baking rack The one piece of gear that makes the biggest difference for crispy wings
Rimmed baking sheet Fits the wire rack for baking
Large mixing bowl For tossing the wings with seasoning and sauce
Microplane or ginger grater For grating fresh ginger
Small saucepan For making the garlic ginger sauce
Whisk For whisking the cornstarch slurry into the sauce
Tongs For flipping hot wings and tossing
Instant-read meat thermometer To check wings reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit
Ingredients
2poundschicken wings910g; tips removed, split into flats and drumettes
1tablespoonbaking powderaluminum free
1teaspoonsalt
1/2teaspoonblack pepper
1/3cuplow sodium soy sauce80ml
1/4cuphoney85g
1tablespoonrice vinegar15ml
1tablespoontoasted sesame oil15ml; good quality recommended
6garlic clovesminced
2tablespoonsfresh gingergrated
1/2teaspoonred pepper flakesoptional
2tablespoonswater30ml; for the cornstarch slurry
1teaspooncornstarch
2tablespoonssesame seedsfor garnish
2scallionsthinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. If whole, split them at the joints into flats and drumettes, then discard the wing tips or save them for stock. Place the dried wings in a large mixing bowl.
Sprinkle the baking powder, salt, and black pepper evenly over the wings. Toss well with your hands or tongs until every piece is evenly coated in a thin, even layer.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Set the wire rack inside the rimmed baking sheet, arrange the wings in a single layer with space between each piece, and bake for 25 minutes. Flip each wing with tongs, then continue baking 15 to 20 minutes, until deeply golden brown and the thickest part reads at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the wings bake, add the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil to a small saucepan. Stir in the minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
In a small separate bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch until smooth to form a slurry. Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce while whisking constantly. Let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Once the wings are fully cooked and crispy, transfer them to a large clean bowl. Pour the warm garlic ginger sauce over the wings and toss gently until every piece is coated in that glossy glaze. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced scallions right before serving.
Notes
Dry the wings thoroughly before seasoning, since moisture is the enemy of crispy skin.
Don't skip the wire rack — it lets hot air circulate under the wings for even browning.
Toss the wings in sauce right before serving so the skin stays crispy longer.
Use fresh garlic and ginger rather than the jarred versions for the best flavor.
Give the wings space on the pan so they roast instead of steam.
Make ahead: bake the wings a few hours ahead, keep at room temperature, then reheat in a hot oven before tossing with freshly warmed sauce.
Storage: store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven or air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes to bring back the crispiness; avoid microwaving.
Freeze cooked, unsauced wings for up to 2 months, then thaw and reheat before tossing with a fresh batch of sauce.
Air fryer variation: cook the seasoned wings at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 to 24 minutes, flipping halfway through, then toss with the sauce.
For a spicier version, add extra red pepper flakes or a spoonful of chili garlic sauce; swap honey for maple syrup for a deeper sweetness.