Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
Crispy chicken wings glazed with a sweet and spicy honey-sriracha sauce, quickly cooked in an air fryer.
Steps
- 1
Season the wings: place them in a large bowl, drizzle with a little oil, and toss with smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, mustard powder, pepper, and salt until evenly coated.
- 2
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- 3
Cook the wings in the air fryer for 18-22 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crispy.
- 4
Make the spicy honey sauce: in a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add honey and red pepper flakes, stir well. Drizzle over cooked wings and toss gently to coat.
Shopping list
1 kg (2.2 lbs) chicken wings, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 0.5 tsp cumin, 0.5 tsp mustard powder, black pepper to taste, salt to taste, 30 g (1 oz) unsalted butter, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp chili flakes
Recipe story
Honey sriracha chicken wings are a popular dish in American cuisine, particularly in the southern states, where African and European influences blend. The sweet-spicy sauce became famous in the 1960s with the spread of buffalo wing restaurants. This recipe is adapted for air fryer, preserving the crispy texture and bold flavor.
Ingredient Secrets
Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Cumin
Cumin, known since antiquity, was used by Egyptians for embalming and by Romans as a digestive. In the Middle Ages, it was believed to ward off evil spirits, and merchants transported it along the Silk Road from the East to Europe.
Paprika
Paprika, a emblematic spice brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus from the New World. Although associated with Hungarian cuisine, its origins are in Central America, where it was used by the Aztecs.
Garlic
Native to Central Asia, garlic was already known in ancient Egypt, where it was given to slaves to boost their strength. In ancient Greece, athletes consumed it before competitions, and in Rome, legionaries considered it essential for courage. During the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off vampires and the plague.
Onion
Probably originating in Central or West Asia, onions were cultivated in ancient Egypt, where they were considered a symbol of eternity and placed in tombs. In ancient Greece, athletes ate them to balance their blood, and in Rome, they were a staple food for soldiers. During the Middle Ages, onions were believed to protect against arrows and the plague.
Honey
Honey is one of the oldest sweet foods, used since the Stone Age. In ancient Egypt, it was offered to the gods and used in embalming. In ancient Greece, it was considered the food of the gods, and in Rome, it was used as medicine and preservative. During the Middle Ages, honey was the main sweetener in Europe before sugar.
You may also like
Air Fryer Caesar Salad with Chicken – Quick and Crispy Recipe
Chicken
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Breast – Quick 17-Minute Recipe
Chicken
Crispy Orange Chicken in Air Fryer
Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Breast: Juicy and Buttery in 20 Minutes
Chicken