Sweet and Sour Wings
The ultimate comfort food, these Sweet and Sour Wings are a perfect mix of sweet and tangy flavors, making them an easy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer for parties. With their crispy texture and finger-licking sauce, you'll want to make them tonight!
Equipment
- Frying Pan
- Whisk
- Oven
- Saucepan
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds chicken wings and drumettes
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 16 ounce pineapple juice
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to make cleanup easier, and place a baking rack on top. This allows air to circulate around the wings, helping them get crispy.
- Take the chicken wings and drumettes and pat them dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step as it helps the skin to crisp up nicely. Then, place them in a large bowl.
- Add the baking powder and kosher salt to the bowl. Toss the wings until they are evenly coated. You'll notice that the baking powder gives them a nice coating.
- Arrange the wings on the baking rack, ensuring they’re spaced out and not touching. This is key for achieving that golden crunch all around.
- Bake the wings for 30 to 35 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want them crispy and golden, and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit for safety.
- While the wings bake, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the pineapple juice, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce. Heat over medium-high, stirring to combine until it simmers.
- In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the water to create a slurry. Once the sauce is simmering, whisk in this slurry and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and feels luxurious.
- Once the wings are out of the oven, transfer them to a large heat-safe bowl. Pour about two-thirds of the sauce over the wings and toss them to ensure they’re well coated.
- Serve the wings right away, with the extra sauce on the side for dipping. Your guests will be diving in for seconds!
Notes
- Fry instead of bake: For an alternative approach, consider frying the wings in oil heated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 to 12 minutes. This will give you that extra crunch and flavor.
- Air Fryer method: If you're using an air fryer, arrange the wings in the basket without overcrowding. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 18 to 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even cooking.