Description
Crispy oven-baked chicken wings tossed in a glossy pomegranate and hot honey glaze—sweet, tart, spicy, and irresistibly sticky. A crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for game day or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- For the wings:
- 4 pounds chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (NOT baking soda)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- Pinch of cracked black pepper
- For the glaze:
- 3/4 cup pomegranate fruit jelly
- 1/2 cup unsweetened pomegranate juice
- 1/4 cup hot honey
- 1 garlic clove, smashed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- For serving (optional):
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
- 1/2 cup sliced scallions
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- Carrot and celery sticks
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing
Instructions
- Adjust the oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheat to 450°F (230°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, set a wire rack on top, and spray lightly.
- Pat the wings very dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, whisk the baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle over the wings and toss to coat evenly.
- Arrange wings on the rack with space between them.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Flip the wings and bake another 20–30 minutes until crisp and golden.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze: combine pomegranate jelly, juice, hot honey, smashed garlic, and soy sauce in a saucepan. Simmer 8–10 minutes, watching closely, then discard the garlic.
- Transfer the glaze to a large bowl. Toss the hot wings thoroughly in the glaze.
- Return glazed wings to the oven for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway, until the glaze caramelizes.
- Cool 10 minutes, then top with pomegranate arils, sesame seeds, and scallions. Serve with dipping sauces and vegetable sticks.
Notes
- Add a splash of rice vinegar to the glaze for extra tang.
- Swap hot honey for chili crisp or gochujang for a different heat profile.
- Add orange zest for citrus brightness.
- For milder wings, use regular honey instead of hot honey.
- Freeze unglazed baked wings and glaze them after reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
