Kentucky Bourbon Honey Wings
- Angela
- Feb 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 12
Sticky, Crispy, and Perfect for Game Day
Why These Wings Always Win
When it comes to game day food… I want something a little special without making it complicated.
These wings do exactly that.
Big Kentucky flavor (bourbon + honey… always works)
Crispy outside, juicy inside
Easy to prep ahead
And they disappear fast… which tells you everything
That sweet, sticky glaze with just a little heat?
People go back for “one more” every time.
Ingredients
For the Wings
2 lbs chicken wings (flats & drumettes)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
For the Bourbon-Honey Glaze
½ cup honey
¼ cup bourbon (Woodford, Buffalo Trace, or your favorite)
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes for heat
How to Make Them
1. Prep the Wings
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Pat wings dry (this matters).Toss with oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Spread on a lined baking sheet. Use a rack if you have one.
2. Bake Until Crispy
Bake 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
Air fryer: 380°F for 22–25 minutes.
3. Make the Glaze
Melt butter in a saucepan. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Stir in honey, bourbon, soy sauce, Dijon, and red pepper flakes.
Simmer 5–7 minutes until thick and glossy.
4. Toss + Finish
Toss wings in the glaze.
Return to oven for 5–7 minutes to caramelize.
Sticky. Shiny. Done.
How to Serve
Celery + ranch or blue cheese
Sprinkle with flaky salt or parsley
Or just put them out and watch them disappear
Tips That Actually Matter
Dry the wings well → better crisp
Don’t skip the final bake after glazing
Use a bourbon you like (doesn’t have to be fancy)
You can bake ahead, then glaze + reheat
Final Thoughts
These are one of those recipes that just works.
Easy enough for a weeknight…good enough for game day…and always the first thing gone.
Let’s Get Cooking!
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