Go Back

Hot Honey Rub Wingstop Copycat Wings

Crispy oven baked chicken wings coated in a sweet and spicy dry rub of honey powder, ancho chile, and cayenne. This easy copycat recreates Wingstop's famous hot honey rub flavor at home with no frying and no sticky sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 775
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Hot Honey Rub (makes about 1/2 cup)
  • 3 tablespoons honey powder
  • 2 teaspoons ancho chile powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Wings
  • 3 pounds chicken wings split into drumettes and flats
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Equipment

  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Paper towels
  • Tongs
  • 2 baking sheets
  • 2 wire racks
  • parchment paper
  • meat thermometer optional

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Whisk all the rub ingredients in a small bowl until evenly blended.
  3. Blot the wings dry with paper towels so the skin crisps up well.
  4. Toss the wings with the olive oil in a large bowl.
  5. Sprinkle half the rub over the wings and toss to coat.
  6. Add the rest of the rub and toss again until every wing is covered.
  7. Set wire racks inside two parchment lined baking sheets and lay the wings out in a single layer.
  8. Bake for 40 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy and the inside reads at least 165 degrees F.
  9. Serve hot with your favorite dip.

Notes

Recipe inspired by Mashed's "Copycat Wingstop Hot Honey Rubbed Wings Recipe": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA9pZc7D79k
The rub keeps in an airtight jar in a cool dry spot for up to 3 months. Shake before each use since honey powder can clump.
No honey powder? Use 1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar instead, or toss the baked wings in warm honey with a pinch of cayenne right before serving.
For milder wings cut the cayenne to 1/2 teaspoon. For extra heat add 1/2 teaspoon more.