These oven baked chicken wings are so crispy and tender. I tested them at every oven temperature to figure out which temp and bake time give you the most crispy outside and tender, moist center. For these easy chicken wings, don’t fry them; instead, bake them and cover them in your favorite sauce. Finally, broil them until they are bubbly.
Baked wings can be just as juicy and taste just as flavorful as fried wings! I tested batches of wings to determine which temperature resulted in crispy skin and tender chicken.
I’m sharing a recipe for everyday baked chicken wings, with sauce options, that stand up alongside some of our other favorite game day recipes like buffalo chicken meatballs and hot honey chicken tenders.
Chicken wings are the perfect starter for any party or get-together. Their crispy outside and tender, juicy inside make them a clear winner with the crowd. But when it comes to cooking chicken wings, one question that comes up a lot is “how long do they take to be fully cooked?”
Proper cooking is crucial to ensure chicken wings are safe to eat and achieve the ideal texture. Undercooked chicken poses health risks, while overcooked wings end up dry and rubbery. In this comprehensive guide, we will dive into all the details around cooking times, methods, tips and tricks to perfectly cook chicken wings every time.
Why Thorough Cooking is Critical for Chicken Wings
Bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter can live in raw or undercooked chicken. Eating chicken wings that aren’t fully cooked can make you sick, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever.
Cooking chicken wings thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) effectively kills off any dangerous bacteria present. This temperature needs to be reached both on the surface and internally through the meat for full safety. Taking the extra time to fully cook chicken wings gives peace of mind that your appetizer won’t cause guests to fall sick.
Key Factors That Impact Chicken Wing Cook Times
Several variables impact the cooking time for chicken wings including
-
Size of the wings: Bigger wings with more meat will take longer to cook all the way through than small wings with less meat.
-
Cooking method – The technique used like frying, baking, grilling etc. greatly affects cook time.
-
Cooking tools: Ovens, grills, and fryers all have different cook times because of how hot they can get.
-
Temperature – Higher temperatures will cook wings faster while lower temps increase cook time.
-
Marinades or sauces – Ingredients like sugar and oil in marinades impact cook time.
Taking these factors into account allows you to adjust your cooking approach for perfectly done wings.
Different Methods for Cooking Chicken Wings
Chicken wings can be prepared using several cooking methods, each producing its own unique texture and flavor.
Deep Frying
- Wings are submerged and cooked in hot oil, normally around 350-375°F.
- Delivers an ultra-crispy exterior while keeping the interior juicy.
- Takes about 10-15 minutes depending on size of wings.
- Oil temperature must be monitored to avoid burning.
Oven Baking
- Wings are arranged on a baking sheet and cooked in the oven.
- Leads to crispy skin similar to frying without all the oil.
- Takes 20-30 minutes at 400°F, turning wings halfway through.
Air Frying
- Wings are cooked in a hot air fryer which uses rapid air circulation.
- Produces wings with crispy exterior and tender meat when cooked at 400°F.
- Takes approximately 15-20 minutes, shaking basket periodically.
Grilling
- Wings cooked on a preheated grill, normally medium-high heat.
- Adds nice charred flavor along with crispy bits.
- Takes 15-25 minutes based on preferred crispiness, turning frequently.
How to Tell When Chicken Wings are Fully Cooked
It can be tricky to determine exactly when chicken wings are fully cooked, but these visual cues and temperature checks will help:
-
The meat looks opaque throughout with no traces of pink and juices run clear.
-
An instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of wing (avoiding bone) reads 165°F.
-
The skin has turned golden brown and looks crispy.
-
Cut into a wing to check meat is white throughout and not pink.
Relying on multiple indicators ensures wings are cooked through, both on the surface and internally.
Cook Times for Fully Cooking Chicken Wings
Chicken wing cook times ultimately come down to two key factors – cooking method and size of the wings.
Below are general guidelines for achieving fully cooked wings using popular cooking techniques:
| Cooking Method | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Deep Frying | 8-15 minutes at 350-375°F |
| Oven Baking | 20-30 minutes at 400°F |
| Air Frying | 15-20 minutes at 400°F |
| Grilling | 15-25 minutes on medium-high heat |
For oven baking in particular, small wings may need 20 minutes while larger wings can take up to 30 minutes at 400°F. Always verify wings are fully cooked using a thermometer or other doneness indicators.
For fried or grilled wings, cook time also depends on preferred level of crispiness. Cook longer for extra crunch.
Handy Tips for Perfectly Cooked Wings Every Time
Implementing small tips can make a big difference in achieving flawlessly cooked wings:
-
Pat wings dry before seasoning or cooking to maximize crispiness.
-
Use a meat thermometer to accurately determine doneness.
-
Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet or air fryer basket.
-
Add sauces during last 5 minutes to avoid burning.
-
Let cooked wings rest 5 minutes before serving for juicier meat.
-
Cook wings in single layer on baking sheets to promote even cooking.
Taking the extra time to use these tips will pay off in tender, juicy wings with crispy skin every time.
How to Keep Cooked Wings Crispy When Serving
Maintaining the coveted crispy texture of fried or baked wings during serving is important. Here are some useful ways to keep them ultra-crispy:
-
Allow cooked wings to rest on a wire rack or paper towels to allow excess moisture and oil to drip off.
-
Keep wings in a 250°F oven on a baking sheet lined with paper towels or wire rack to stay hot and crispy until serving.
-
Fry or bake wings in batches to prevent steaming from overcrowding if making large quantities.
-
Let any sauces thicken up before tossing with wings to coat without sogginess.
-
Serve wings immediately in a warmed serving dish instead of letting them sit out.
Delicious Ways to Serve Your Perfectly Cooked Wings
After cooking wings to perfection, it’s time for fun flavors and servings ideas:
-
Classic: Arrange wings on a platter with celery and carrot sticks, ranch or blue cheese dip.
-
Elevated: Toss cooked wings in flavorful sauces like buffalo, barbecue or teriyaki.
-
Fun: Offer a selection of dipping sauces like honey-mustard, blue cheese, ranch, etc.
-
Meal: Pair wings with classic sides like fries, coleslaw, potato wedges or mac and cheese.
-
Festive: Host a wing party with an array of flavors, dips and fun touches like sauces in condiment bottles.
The possibilities are endless when serving up your flawlessly cooked chicken wings!
The Takeaway for Cooking Chicken Wings to Perfection
Achieving fully cooked chicken wings with a crispy coating and juicy meat may seem tricky, but following these best practices will help you nail it every time:
-
Thoroughly cook wings to an internal temperature of 165°F to eliminate risks of bacteria.
-
Factor in key variables like size, cooking method and temperature when timing your cooking.
-
Rely on visual indicators and a meat thermometer to validate doneness.
-
Implement small tips like patting dry, cooking in a single layer, and letting rest to maximize texture.
-
Maintain crispiness after cooking by draining excess moisture and keeping wings in a warm oven.
-
Get creative when serving wings with fun sauces, dips and side dishes.
With this comprehensive understanding of timing, techniques and serving suggestions, you can confidently cook outstanding chicken wings from start to finish that are sure to satisfy any crowd!
Tips for Crispy Wings
- Always use an instant-read thermometer to determine doneness. A thermometer is the best way to make sure the wings are the right size for each person’s oven. To get a correct reading, put the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the wing, being careful not to touch the bone.
- Dry the wings well: Use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to pat the wings dry before cooking. Too much water on the skin will keep it from getting crispy when it’s cooked.
- Place the wings on a wire rack to cook them. This will let hot air flow around the wings, helping them cook evenly and getting a crispy crust on all sides.
- Baking powder will make the chicken skin alkaline and pull out the water. This is how you make the best chicken wings.
You do not need to flip wings if you bake them on a wire rack because the air is circulating around them. I still like to turn the baking tray halfway through to avoid any hot spots in the oven, but physically flipping them isn’t necessary. Only flip the chicken wings halfway through if you’re baking them directly on a baking sheet.
Always add sauce towards the end of baking or toss baked chicken wings in the sauce when they’re done. The sugar in a sauce can burn, especially if you’re baking them at a higher heat. I like to toss wings in the sauce after baking then place them back in the oven to broil for a few minutes before serving to warm the sauce and help it stick to the wings. The sugars in the sauce caramelize and bubble, giving it the best texture.
Always use an instant-read thermometer, like we recommend when determining beef doneness. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the wing, without touching the bone. The chicken wings should reach a target temperature of 165°F. We remove ours around 160°F to account for carryover cooking.
Two Types of Chicken Wings
A lot of the time you can purchase wings pre-cut into the two types of chicken wings: drumettes and wingettes. Our grocery store sells them whole so I have to cut them myself. However, it’s totally acceptable (and delicious) to leave them whole.
How long cook fully cooked chicken wings?
FAQ
How long does it take for wings to fully cook?
With the oven at 375 degrees F, it should take about 30 to 45 minutes for the 10 wings to get crispy and cooked. An instant read thermometer inserted into the meat (but not touching the bone) should read at least 165 degrees F. Jan 24, 2025.
Should I bake wings at 350 or 400?
Is It Better to Bake Chicken Wings at 350 or 400? I tested baking these chicken wings at 350, 400, and 425 degrees f. Baking at a higher temperature will result in crispy skin in a shorter amount of time—which is why 400 is a better option.
How long does it take to cook chicken wings?
Average-sized wings will take about 60-70 minutes to bake in a 350°F oven. It will take about 40 to 50 minutes for thawed chicken wings to cook in an oven set to 400F. Average-sized wings will take about 30-40 minutes to bake in a 425°F oven. Pat dry the wings dry with paper towels.
How long to boil chicken wings?
However, a general guideline for boiling chicken wings is around 12-15 minutes. It is crucial to note that undercooked chicken poses health risks, particularly the risk of salmonella contamination. To keep food safe, chicken wings should be cooked until they reach a temperature of 165°F (74°C) on the inside.
What temperature should chicken wings be cooked to?
To ensure your chicken wings reach the ideal internal temperature, use a meat thermometer. The USDA recommends cooking chicken wings until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures they are safe to eat and eliminates any risk of undercooked poultry.
Can you cook chicken wings in the oven?
When preparing chicken wings in the oven, it’s essential to avoid overcrowding them. Overcrowding can result in uneven cooking, leaving some wings undercooked while others become overdone. To prevent this, select a container that allows ample space between each wing.
Should you boil chicken wings before grilling?
Boiling chicken wings is a simple and effective way to pre-cook them before grilling, frying, or baking. This method ensures that the wings are fully cooked while retaining their moisture, and it also allows for the infusion of flavors through the boiling liquid.
Do chicken wings need to be cooked before cooking?
Boiling chicken wings is a straightforward yet effective method of pre-cooking them before incorporating them into various dishes. By selecting high-quality wings, properly preparing them, and following the steps for boiling, you can achieve tender, flavorful wings that are ready to be incorporated into your favorite recipes.