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Dark red glazed crispy sticky honey soy chicken wings piled on a plate with sesame seeds, fresh herbs, beetroot salad, red onion, and toasted almonds. These air fryer chicken wings are healthy, dairy-free, high-protein, naturally sweetened, smoky, caramelised and sweet, savoury, tender inside, crispy around the edges, and coated in a next-level sticky secret glaze.

Crispy Sticky Honey Soy Air Fryer Chicken Wings | Secret Glaze

Annie, Healthy Food by Annie
These crispy sticky honey soy air fryer chicken wings are coated in a dark red secret glaze that is sweet, savoury, smoky, a little spicy, and beautifully balanced. They are air fried first until crispy, then coated in the glossy honey soy glaze and air fried again until sticky, caramelised, and full of flavour. A delicious high-protein, dairy-free, naturally sweetened recipe for dinner, sharing plates, movie night, or a fun family meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer, Dinner, High Protein Snack, Main Course
Cuisine Air Fryer, Dairy-Free, High-Protein, Refined Sugar Free
Servings 4
Calories 542 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the seasoned chicken wings

  • 700 g chicken wings
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon Chinese five spice
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary leaves

Sticky Honey Soy Glaze

  • 1 ½ tablespoons unsweetened ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons chili sauce
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 ½ tablespoons thick dark soy sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoons red chili
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • ¼ crushed garlic
  • 3 tablespoons water

To Finish

  • Black sesame seeds
  • White sesame seeds
  • Fresh herbs optional

Instructions
 

  • Season the chicken wings
    Add the chicken wings to a large bowl. Sprinkle over the smoked paprika, Chinese five spice, black pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, and olive oil. Mix well until the wings are evenly coated.
  • Air fry the wings
    Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 170°C (340°F) for 20 minutes, or until the wings are golden, crispy, and cooked through.
  • Make the sticky honey soy glaze
    While the wings are cooking, add the unsweetened ketchup, chili sauce, honey, balsamic vinegar, thick dark soy sauce, red chili, lemon juice, smoked paprika, sesame oil, crushed garlic, and water to a small saucepan. Stir well to combine.
  • Simmer the glaze
    Place the saucepan over medium heat and simmer for a few minutes, stirring often, until the sauce becomes glossy, slightly sticky, and lightly thickened.
  • Coat the wings
    Once the wings are cooked and crispy, transfer them into the sauce and toss well until every piece is evenly coated in the glaze.
  •  Air fry again
    Place the coated chicken wings back into the air fryer basket. Air fry again at 170°C (340°F) for another 10 minutes, or until the wings are glossy, sticky, caramelised, and crispy around the edges.
  • Finish and serve
    Transfer the crispy sticky honey soy chicken wings to a serving plate. Sprinkle with black and white sesame seeds and garnish with fresh herbs if you like. Serve warm.

Notes

  1. Cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of the chicken wings. The wings should be cooked through before adding the glaze, then air fried again only to make the sauce sticky, glossy, and caramelised.
  2. For best results, do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed so the wings can crisp properly.
  3. Honey gives the dark red glaze its beautiful shine, deeper sweetness, and sticky caramelised finish. Start with 3 tablespoons honey, then taste the glaze and add 1 more tablespoon if you like it sweeter, stickier, and glossier.
  4. This recipe is naturally dairy-free and refined sugar-free because it is sweetened with honey instead of refined sugar.
  5. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce, and make sure your ketchup and chili sauce are certified gluten-free.

Nutrition Facts per Serving:

Nutrition per serving:1 of 4 servings, Calories:542 kcal, Protein:33 g, Carbohydrate:23 g, Net Carb:21 g, Sugars:19 g, Fat:34 g, Saturated Fat:8 g, Fiber:2 g, Sodium:840 mg

 

Nutrition Facts Notes:

✔️ High-protein main dish: Chicken wings provide a satisfying source of protein, making this recipe more filling than a simple snack or appetizer.
✔️ Sweet and sticky glaze: Honey, chili sauce, balsamic vinegar and dark soy sauce create a glossy caramelized coating with a bold sweet, spicy and savory flavor.
✔️ No refined white sugar: This recipe is sweetened mainly with honey, giving the wings a natural sweetness without using regular refined sugar.
✔️ Rich in flavor from spices: Smoked paprika, Chinese five spice, black pepper, garlic and chili add deep flavor, so the recipe feels bold and restaurant-style without needing a long ingredient list.
✔️ Contains healthy oils: Olive oil and sesame oil add richness and help the spices coat the wings, while sesame oil gives a nutty Asian-inspired flavor.
✔️ Moderate in carbohydrates: Most of the carbs come from the honey, chili sauce and ketchup-style ingredients, not from flour or breading.
✔️ Naturally gluten free option: To keep this recipe gluten free, use certified gluten-free dark soy sauce or tamari, and check that the chili sauce and ketchup are gluten free.
✔️ No breading or deep-frying needed: These wings get their sticky, crispy edges from roasting or air frying with sauce, making them lighter than battered fried wings.
✔️Great for sharing:These sticky honey chili chicken wings work well for dinner, party food, game day platters or as a flavorful protein with salad, rice or roasted vegetables.
Note: These nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on the specific brands and types of ingredients used.
Nutrition may also vary depending on the chili sauce, soy sauce, and how much glaze stays on the wings after cooking.
 
 
Keyword air fryer chicken wings, crispy air fryer wings, Movie nights, sticky glazed chicken wings, Wings
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