Hot Honey Old Bay Wings a perfect blend of spicy and sweet. They're easy to make and perfect for your next game day or get together!
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Hey y'all! We are so excited to share one of Marrekus' absolute favorite wing recipes – Hot Honey Old Bay Wings. These wings are sooo flavorful and on regular rotation in our kitchen. Let me tell you... they're downright delicious.
Marrekus first discovered these wings at a popular Maryland restaurant in town called Ledo Pizza. Our neighbors introduced us to this spot and it was like love at first bite! We love it so much, we made another similar recipe: Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches.
What you'll love about this recipe
- It's packed with flavor: The mix of spicy hot honey and Old Bay seasoning makes these wings delicious. They bring a little Maryland flavor with a touch of Southern comfort—we just can’t get enough!
- It’s the perfect party snack: Great for game day, holidays, or any get-together! The mix of sweet and spicy makes these a hit with everyone.
- It’s quick and easy: Since these wings don’t need a flour coating, they cook faster. It’s a simple, no-fuss recipe, and once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
Ingredients
- Chicken wings
- Hot sauce (preferably Crystal brand)
- Honey
- Old Bay seasoning
- Butter
Wing Brine (Recommended)
- Water
- Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
- Granulated sugar (optional)
- Ice
How to Make Hot Honey Old Bay Wings
These Hot Honey Old Bay wings starts with a simple salt, sugar, and water brine to lock in moisture and add flavor. After brining, the wings are fried until crispy, then tossed in a homemade sweet and spicy sauce.
Brine (Optional)
Boil water in a pot, then add kosher salt and sugar, stirring until dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. Add ice to the pot and stir until it melts and the brine cools to room temperature. Place wings in a large bowl or resealable bag and pour the brine over them, making sure they’re fully submerged. Seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for better flavor. When ready to cook, rinse the wings, pat them dry, and then proceed with frying.
Deep Fry
For the crispiest wings, pat them dry with paper towels before frying. Heat vegetable oil to 360-365°F in a deep fryer or heavy pot. Carefully drop in the wings and fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping occasionally. Once golden and crispy, transfer them to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain. Toss the hot wings in a bowl with your sauce (see below) until fully coated. Serve with carrot sticks, celery, and your favorite dip—ranch or blue cheese.
Hot Honey Old Bay Wing Sauce
In a medium pot, mix hot sauce, honey, and seasoning over medium-low heat, stirring until it simmers. Turn off the heat, add cold butter, and whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetness or seasoning if needed. Toss the cooked wings in the sauce to coat them well, then serve immediately for the best flavor!
Commonly Asked Questions
Sure, just reheat it gently before tossing it with freshly cooked wings.
While Crystal hot sauce is recommended, feel free to experiment with your favorite brand to achieve the desired flavor profile.
Vegetable, canola, corn, and peanut oil are great for frying because they can handle high heat and have a mild taste. Pick one based on what you like, but always use fresh oil for the best results!
More Wing Recipes
📖 Recipe
Hot Honey Old Bay Wings Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 pounds chicken wings
- 1 cup hot sauce preferably Crystal brand
- 1 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
Chicken Wing Brine
- 16 cups water
- ¾ cup Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
- ½ cup sugar optional
- Ice
Instructions
Brine Chicken Wings
- Bring water to a boil with kosher salt and sugar, if using. Stir until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. Add ice, stirring until mostly melted and brine reaches room temperature.
- Place wings in a large bowl, container, or resealable plastic bag. Pour over chicken, ensuring wings are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Remove chicken from brine, rinse, and pat dry with paper towels.
Hot Honey Old Bay Sauce
- In a medium-sized pot, combine hot sauce, honey, and seasoning.
- Place pot over medium-low heat and bring mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Once simmering, turn off burner.
- Add cold butter to pot and whisk into sauce until well incorporated. Taste and adjust with more honey or Old Bay, if desired. To prevent separation, heat sauce over low heat if necessary. Stir gently to maintain a consistent texture.
Fry Chicken Wings
- In a deep fryer or large, deep skillet, heat enough vegetable oil to submerge chicken wings to around 360°F (182°C) to 365°F (185°C).
- Carefully add chicken wings to hot oil in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd pan.
- Fry until golden brown and crispy, approximately 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally for even cooking.
- Once wings are cooked, at least to 165°F (74°C), use a slotted spoon to transfer fried wings to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Place fried chicken wings in a large bowl. Pour hot honey Old Bay sauce over the wings and toss until evenly coated.
- Arrange wings on a serving platter. Serve with carrot sticks, celery sticks, and your choice of dip (e.g. blue cheese, ranch).
Jackie says
Hi
Is this 4 pounds of whole wings or 4 pounds of party wings?
cooks with soul says
We used 4 pounds of whole wings and then just cut them up. Hope this helps!
Marta says
These hot honey old bay wings were absolutely everything. They reminded me so much of the time I spent living in Baltimore! Thanks for another great recipe.