Prepare your kitchen by gathering all necessary ingredients and equipment. Preheat your oven to 425°F. This temperature ensures that the wings cook evenly and achieve that coveted crispy skin.
Pat your chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove any moisture. This step is crucial for crispiness, as excess moisture can lead to less than ideal results.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This not only makes for easier cleanup but also enhances the cooking process. Place an oven-safe wire rack on top of the lined baking sheet.
Generously spray the wire rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This promotes even cooking and ensures that you can easily remove the wings once they are done.
In a medium bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper to create your spice rub. Mix well to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
Add the baking powder to the spice mix and stir until well combined. This ingredient is key to achieving crispy wings, so don't skip it!
Season the wings by evenly coating them with the spice rub mixture. You can do this in batches to ensure each wing gets thoroughly seasoned.
Carefully place the seasoned wings skin side up onto the prepared wire rack. Make sure they are spaced apart to allow air circulation, which is vital for that crispy texture.
Bake the wings in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After this time, remove them, spray with additional cooking spray, flip them with tongs, and return them to the oven for another 20 minutes.
For the final 20 minutes, keep a close eye on the wings. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the wings are a beautiful golden brown. If they aren’t quite there, continue baking and check every few minutes.
While the wings are finishing, prepare the homemade sweet and hot wing sauce. In a large bowl, whisk together the Buffalo hot sauce, honey, water, and cilantro. This sauce will take your wings to the next level!
Once the wings are done baking, add them to the bowl with the hot sauce. Use a spatula or tongs to completely coat the wings with the sauce.
Serve your Crispy Baked Chicken Wings hot, drizzled with extra sauce on top and accompanied by blue cheese dressing or ranch for dipping. Garnish with diced carrots, green onion, and freshly chopped cilantro. Enjoy them while they're hot!
