Looking for how to season chicken wings? This Crispy Dry Rub recipe has the best homemade spice blend. These party wings have the flavor of smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, and more.
This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here.
You would be shocked by how epic your wings turn out when you use your own blend of spices. You are in direct control of the flavor. That’s what I love most!
What Does Dry Rub Mean?
A dry rub is a blend of dry spices and herbs that is applied and rubbed onto the surface of the food to add flavor before cooking. This helps amplify the flavors of the spices and herbs. You can allow the wings to rest in the rub (refrigerated for 30 minutes to overnight) if you want the flavor to really penetrate into the chicken. This is completely optional.
The purpose of a dry rub is to create a crust around the chicken or meat. A dry rub will enhance the flavor of the chicken without using moisture or a liquid marinade. Rubs are usually a little more coarse than simply adding seasoning.
The main difference between a dry rub and a marinade is the absence of moisture. A marinade will tenderize the meat. A dry rub does not.
As a rule of thumb, when applying a rub you should apply enough to fully coat the chicken or meat. You don’t want to see any empty spots. Add more spices if necessary.
What Type of Wings to Use
I love to use party wings that are already split as opposed to whole chicken wings. Party wings will cook at a more even and consistent temperature. Feel free to use whole chicken wings if you like.
What Does a Homemade Dry Rub Taste Like?
This rub has the flavor of smoked paprika, a hint of sweetness from brown sugar or sweetener along with garlic powder, chili powder, and onion powder. Get my Dry Rub for Chicken Recipe here.
How to Make the Rub Spicy
Add cayenne pepper to taste. I typically add at least a teaspoon.
How to Make Crispy Dry Rub Chicken Wings
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Pat the chicken dry and place it in a large bowl or plastic bag.
- Add flour, smoked paprika, brown sugar or sweetener, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste to the chicken. Ensure the chicken is fully coated.
- Bake or air fry.
How to Substitute Flour
You can use 1-2 tablespoons of baking powder (enough to fully coat the chicken). You can also omit flour completely and make naked chicken wings.
How to Reheat the Wings
The best way to reheat wings is on the grill or in the air fryer. I wouldn’t microwave them. You can use the same cook temperature and reheat the wings until warm.
How to Make them Naked Without Breading
You make naked wings by simply omitting the flour. The cook time of the chicken will remain the same.
How to Reheat the Wings
The best way to reheat wings is in the oven or in the air fryer. I wouldn’t microwave them. You can reheat them on 350 degrees until warm.
Can You Use Other Types of Chicken?
Absolutely! Chicken tenders, chicken breasts, or chicken thighs will work. Click the links to check out my other recipes for cook time.
Freezer Tips
I love to freeze these ahead of time to have on deck for quick and easy meals. Defrost the wings overnight in the fridge. Reheat in the air fryer or in the oven on 350 degrees until warm.
Substitutions and More Ways to Season the Wings
Homemade BBQ Rub and Seasoning
Jamaican Jerk Seasoning and Rub
Homemade Ranch Seasoning
Homemade Blackened Seasoning
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Cajun Seasoning
Pair With These Recipes
Southern Coleslaw Recipe
Air Fryer Hush Puppies
Southern Potato Salad
Easy Spaghetti Salad
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Slow Cooker Crockpot Chicken and Rice
Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breast
Southern Smothered Pork Chops
More Dry Rub Wings Recipes
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
Naked Chicken Wings
Cajun Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
How to Grill Chicken Wings
Crispy Ranch Chicken Wing
Air Fryer Turkey Wings
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Traeger Smoked Chicken Wings
Flavored Wings Recipes
Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Hot Lemon Pepper Wings
Teriyaki Chicken Wings
Sweet Chili Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Garlic Parmesan Wings
Smothered Chicken Wings
Honey BBQ Wings
Keto Low Carb Chicken Wings (Maple BBQ)
Crispy Dry Rub Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings I use drummettes/split wings.
- 1/3-1/2 cup all-purpose flour Use enough to fully coat the wings.
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar or brown sweetener
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- cooking oil spray I use olive oil.
Instructions
Oven and Baking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Pat the chicken dry and place it in a large bowl or plastic bag.
- Add the flour and all of the spices to the chicken. Ensure the chicken is fully coated.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and add the wings. Spritz the chicken wings with cooking oil.
- Bake the wings for 20 minutes and then open and flip the wings. Spritz with cooking oil. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the chicken is crisp and cooked through. Ensure the chicken reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and place it in a large bowl or plastic bag.
- Add the flour and all of the spices to the chicken. Ensure the chicken is fully coated.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. Spritz the chicken with cooking oil.
- Air fry for 15 minutes on 400 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Spritz the chicken with cooking oil. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the chicken is crispy and cooked through. Ensure the chicken reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
Notes
- As a rule of thumb, when applying a rub you should apply enough to fully coat the chicken or meat. You don’t want to see any empty spots. Add more spices if necessary.
- You can substitute regular paprika if you wish, but the smoked paprika definitely takes these to the next level.
- You can swap the all-purpose flour for baking powder. You can use 1-2 tablespoons of baking powder (enough to fully coat the chicken). You can also omit flour completely and make naked chicken wings.
- You can use actual wings (instead of drums and flats) if you wish, you may need to adjust the number of ingredients needed to fully coat your wings.
- Salt is key for adding additional flavor to the wings. I typically use 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon for this recipe. I generally allow readers to salt to taste and their preference, considering what their diet allows. Keep in mind, the spices alone will provide flavor, but it needs to be amplified with salt.
- Start with 1/4 cup of flour and add additional flour if necessary. The chicken should be fully coated.
- If you see white areas of flour on the wings, spritz the areas with oil.
- Foil can be substituted for parchment paper while baking. Your cook time may change, so keep an eye out on the wings while they bake. They will need to reach a minimum temperature of 165 degrees.
- Want to make them spicy? Add Srirarcha, cayenne pepper or Cajun Seasoning. So good! I typically add 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons.
Sabrina
Sunday 20th of August 2023
Was looking forward to an easy and tasty recipe today. Followed it to a "t" but used the oven. Did not come out crispy and didn't taste seasonings after doubling it. Disappointed.
staysnatched
Sunday 20th of August 2023
The air fryer works much better than the oven for crisping.
Clare
Wednesday 16th of August 2023
I followed the directions to the letter (with flour version). They didn't get brown on the outside. Maybe I didn't put enough oil? I really spritzed it but maybe it needs more? And it was kind of plain for me. The meat was good and I'll adapt some of this to try again but meh. Sorry :(
staysnatched
Wednesday 16th of August 2023
Yep it sounds like you didn’t use enough oil or you didn’t cook them long enough.
Carol
Monday 29th of May 2023
Follow the recipe and at 400 in the air fryer they came out way too browned, almost looked burnt. Second batch I did at 375 and they were much better. My air fryer is the Ninja and I use it quite often so not sure what went wrong.
staysnatched
Tuesday 30th of May 2023
I’ve never used a Ninja. Every air fryer cooks at varying speeds. You should do what works for yours.
Amber
Wednesday 10th of May 2023
Thinking about using your recipe, I’m assuming the wings could be deep fried as well?
staysnatched
Wednesday 10th of May 2023
Yep!
sb
Saturday 6th of May 2023
Did everything per instructions, and wings didn't brown much or crisp. Even continued to turn over and cook a little longer. Next time will just buy my rub from store that I was out of.
staysnatched
Saturday 6th of May 2023
Interesting. Wings will brown with or without a rub or no seasoning at all. The meat has no choice but to brown when cooked. Did you bake or air fry?