Description
This Hot Honey Mustard Chicken Wings recipe delivers crispy, flavorful wings cooked perfectly in an air fryer. The wings are seasoned with garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne for a subtle kick, then coated in a tangy, sweet, and spicy hot honey mustard sauce. Ideal for a quick appetizer or game day snack, this recipe uses the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven to achieve a golden-brown finish with minimal oil and maximum taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 4 pieces chicken wings (drumettes, wingettes, and tip)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (add to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (add or lessen to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (up to 2 tablespoons)
Hot Honey Mustard Sauce
- 3½ tablespoons raw and unfiltered honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon whole grain old-style mustard
- ½ teaspoon cayenne powder
- ¼ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Pre-heat your Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven to 375°F (191°C), setting the timer for 25 minutes to ensure the cooking environment is hot and ready for the wings.
- Prepare Chicken Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry using paper towels. Separate the drumettes from the wingettes and tips, which helps in even cooking.
- Season Wings: Lightly drizzle the wings with olive oil to help the seasoning adhere. Then, season all sides evenly with garlic powder, cayenne powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Allow the wings to marinate at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Gently transfer the seasoned wings skin side up onto the Air Fryer tray. Place the drumettes toward the inner side of the cooking chamber and the wingettes with tips near the Air Fryer door to optimize airflow and cooking distribution.
- Initial Air Fry: Air fry the wings for 5 minutes, then carefully turn them skin side down to ensure thorough cooking and crispiness on all sides. Continue air frying for an additional 8 minutes.
- Prepare Mustard Sauce: In a shallow bowl, combine Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, cayenne powder, and a pinch of salt. Reserve 1 tablespoon of this mixture separately for later use. To the rest, add apple cider vinegar and honey, stirring well to create the hot honey mustard sauce. Set aside for serving or coating later.
- Make Mustard-Oil Glaze: Mix the reserved mustard mixture with olive oil in a small bowl until smooth and creamy, forming a glaze to brush over the wings.
- Glaze Wings: Remove the Air Fryer tray and lightly brush all sides of the wings with the mustard and oil glaze. Reinsert the tray into the Air Fryer with the wings skin side down to maximize caramelization.
- Adjust Temperature: Lower the Air Fryer temperature to 370°F (188°C) to continue cooking at a slightly gentler heat for optimal browning without burning.
- Cook Wingettes & Tips: Air fry the wingettes and tips for 5 more minutes. Remove them from the tray and toss gently in the hot honey mustard sauce to coat evenly. Place them back on the Air Fryer tray skin side up, air fry for 2 minutes more for sauce caramelization, then remove and allow to cool.
- Cook Drumettes: Air fry the drumettes for 7 minutes. Remove and coat them thoroughly in the hot honey mustard sauce as well. Return the drumettes to the tray, skin side up, and air fry for a final 5 minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring they are safely cooked.
- Serve: Transfer all the hot honey mustard chicken wings to a serving plate. Serve immediately alongside the reserved mustard dipping sauce for added flavor contrast and enjoyment.
Notes
- This recipe uses the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven; cooking times may vary slightly with other air fryer models.
- Do not wait for the Air Fryer’s ‘turn food’ reminder; turn the wings as directed in the steps for best results.
- Keep the Air Fryer door closed while brushing the wings to maintain temperature and cooking consistency.
- Adjust cayenne powder amount to your preferred spice level; start with ½ teaspoon and add more ¼ teaspoon increments if desired.
- Add honey separately near the end to prevent burning and achieve a beautiful caramelized finish.
- Wingettes with tips cook faster than drumettes; remove them earlier to avoid overcooking.
- Monitor smaller drumettes closely during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Use fresh spices and quality ingredients for the best flavor, particularly the cayenne powder and mustards.
- Opening a new bottle of cayenne powder can enhance spiciness compared to older ones, so adjust accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 wings (approx. 100g)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
