If you ask me, gluten-free chicken wings are a total game changer.
These crispy, oven-baked wings give you all the satisfaction of your favorite sports bar appetizer, without any worries about gluten. A simple coating of rice flour and seasonings creates that satisfying crunch we all love.
They’re tossed in a classic buffalo sauce that’s naturally gluten-free, or you can go with a honey garlic blend that’ll make everyone at the table happy. The meat stays juicy on the inside while the outside gets nice and crispy.
It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that works for game day, casual get-togethers, or just a fun Friday night dinner at home.
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Wings
- Diet-friendly – These wings are naturally gluten-free and can be customized to fit keto, low-carb, or paleo diets depending on your sauce choice.
- Customizable flavors – You can make these wings your own by using any combination of seasonings and sauces – from classic buffalo to sweet honey garlic, the possibilities are endless.
- Simple ingredients – You only need a handful of basic ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Quick preparation – With just 30-50 minutes from start to finish, these wings are perfect for game day snacks or last-minute dinner plans.
What Kind of Chicken Wings Should I Use?
When shopping for chicken wings, you’ll typically find them sold either whole or already split into drums and flats (also called wingettes). Either option works great, though split wings are more convenient since they’re ready to cook right away. If you buy whole wings, you’ll need to separate them yourself at the joint – it’s pretty simple with a sharp knife, and there are lots of videos online showing how to do it. For the best results, look for wings that are similar in size so they’ll cook evenly, and try to choose ones that look plump and fresh with pinkish skin. Pat them dry with paper towels before seasoning to help them get nice and crispy when they cook.
Options for Substitutions
This simple wing recipe is super adaptable and easy to customize. Here are some helpful swaps:
- Chicken wings: While whole wings are classic, you can use drumettes or wingettes alone. In a pinch, chicken tenders can work too – just reduce cooking time by about 5-7 minutes since they’re smaller.
- Baking powder: Make sure to use gluten-free baking powder! If you don’t have it, you can skip it, but your wings won’t be as crispy. Another option is using a mix of cream of tartar (1/2 teaspoon) and baking soda (1/4 teaspoon) for each teaspoon of baking powder needed.
- Seasonings: The beauty of this recipe is you can use any gluten-free seasonings you like. Try Italian herbs, cajun seasoning, or even just salt and pepper. Just double-check that your seasoning blends are certified gluten-free.
- Sauces: Feel free to mix and match sauces – just make sure they’re gluten-free. Hot sauce, ranch, teriyaki sauce (gluten-free version), or even melted butter with garlic all work great. If using thick sauces like BBQ, you might want to thin them slightly with a bit of butter or oil.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking/Grilling
The biggest mistake when making chicken wings is not drying them thoroughly before cooking – pat them completely dry with paper towels to achieve that coveted crispy skin, whether you’re baking or grilling.
Another common error is adding sauce too early in the cooking process, which can lead to burnt, bitter wings – instead, wait until the last 5-10 minutes of cooking to brush on your sauce, allowing it to caramelize just enough without burning.
Temperature control is crucial: if you’re baking, don’t skip the baking powder (make sure it’s aluminum-free) as it helps break down the proteins in the chicken skin, creating that restaurant-style crispiness at home.
For the juiciest results, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet or grill – leave enough space between each wing so they can cook evenly and crisp up properly, and always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part.
What to Serve With Chicken Wings?
When it comes to serving chicken wings, you can’t go wrong with the classic combo of crisp celery and carrot sticks with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. A fresh, crunchy coleslaw makes a great side dish that balances out the richness of the wings, while a simple green salad keeps things light and refreshing. If you’re hosting game day or having friends over, consider adding some potato wedges or sweet potato fries to round out the meal – just make sure to check that your sides are gluten-free too!
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Got leftover wings? Place them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge for up to 4 days. They make great leftovers for lunch or a quick dinner the next day. Just remember to let them cool completely before storing to keep that nice texture.
Freeze: These wings freeze really well! Place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. I like to freeze them before adding any extra sauce – this way, they stay crispier when reheated.
Warm Up: To get your wings crispy again, pop them in the oven at 375°F for about 10-15 minutes, or use an air fryer for 5-7 minutes. If you’re adding more sauce, brush it on during the last few minutes of reheating. Avoid using the microwave as it can make them soggy.
| Preparation Time | 10-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Total Time | 30-50 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 800-1000
- Protein: 60-70 g
- Fat: 50-60 g
- Carbohydrates: 30-40 g
Ingredients
- 1 pack chicken wings
- 1 tablespoon seasonings of preference (such as garlic powder or lemon pepper)
- 3/4 cup sauces of your liking (such as balsamic vinegar, barbecue sauce, or honey)
- Pinch of salt
- 1-2 teaspoons baking powder (for baking method)
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Wings
Begin by patting your chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
This step is essential for ensuring that the wings become crispy during cooking.
Once dried, place the chicken wings in a bowl.
Step 2: Season the Wings
Add your choice of sauces and spices to the bowl with the chicken wings.
Include avocado oil and salt, then stir until the wings are evenly coated.
If you wish to make lemon pepper flavored wings, add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, the juice from 1 lemon, and 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning.
Mix well to ensure all wings are fully seasoned.
Step 3: Cook the Wings
If you are using an air fryer, preheat it to 400ºF.
Once preheated, place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes on each side, or until they are fully done and crispy.
Make sure to check wing doneness based on your preferred cooking method for best results.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
After cooking, remove the wings and pair them with your favorite dipping sauce or pour any additional sauce on top of the wings.
Enjoy your crispy and flavorful chicken wings!