how long and what temperature to bake chicken wings
The perfect baking time and temperature for chicken wings depends on the crispiness you desire and the size of your wings. Here’s a breakdown of common methods:
For Crispy Wings (and the most common method):
- Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
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Time: 40-50 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Why this works: High heat crisps the skin. Flipping ensures even cooking and crispness on both sides. Check for doneness with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the wing. It should read 165°F (74°C).
For a balance of tenderness and crispy-ish skin (and simpler method requiring less hands-on):
- Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
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Time: 50-60 minutes flipping halfway through.
- Why this works: Higher heat with longer cooking time. Flipping is still needed to ensure even cooking of each wing. Check for doneness using an instant-read thermometer.
Tips for the best results:
- Pat the wings dry: This removes excess moisture, which is key for crispy skin. Use paper towels.
- Season generously: Don’t be shy with salt, pepper, and any other spices you like.
- Use a baking rack: Place the wings on a baking rack set inside a baking sheet. This allows air to circulate around the wings, helping them crisp up. If you don’t have a rack, make sure the wings aren’t overcrowded on the baking sheet (allowing space in between each wing is helpful).
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: If you have a lot of wings, bake them in batches to ensure even cooking.
- Check for doneness: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the thickest part of the wing reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Sauce after baking: Toss the cooked wings in your favorite sauce immediately after baking for the best flavor distribution.
- Broil for extra crispy skin: If you love an extra crispy skin you can finish off cooking the wings by broiling them for 2-3 minutes, but watch them closely so they don’t burn.
Enjoy your delicious, baked chicken wings!
