Crispy Baked Teriyaki Chicken Wings

from 4 votes

These Teriyaki Chicken Wings are extra-crispy and tossed in the best homemade teriyaki sauce. Best of all, they’re oven-baked for a healthier (and foolproof!) alternative to classic chicken wings. With minimal effort, you’ll have an irresistible appetizer that’s perfect for game day or any time!

Teriyaki chicken wings garnished with sesame seeds on a white plate next to two glasses containing beer and a small bowl with sliced scallions.

Move over, traditional chicken wings; this recipe is about to become the MVP of football-watching food. While I’m all for breaking out the deep-fryer, I am not about to be stuck babysitting a cauldron of bubbling hot oil while my BFFs tune in to the game from the comfort of the couch. The solution? Crispy Baked Teriyaki Chicken Wings!

Minimize the oil. Minimize the mess. And minimize the culinary babysitting. Simply pop the wings into the oven, grab a beverage (like these Bloody Marys for a Crowd), then toss the crispy wings with homemade teriyaki sauce before choosing whether or not you’ll be sharing this sticky-sweet snack with your game-day cohorts.

Feeling extra fancy? Serve up a variety of sauces for a DIY baked chicken wing bar with additional recipes for Sticky Sesame Chicken Wings, Orange Chicken Wings and Hoisin Chicken Wings. Go team!

These Teriyaki Chicken Wings Are:

  • Extra crispy with a juicy interior.
  • Coated in the best homemade teriyaki glaze.
  • Oven baked to golden brown perfection (no deep-fryer needed!).
  • Easy to make with minimal ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Various sizes of glass bowls containing chicken wings, water, minced ginger, cornstarch, soy sauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, minced garlic and pineapple juice.
  • Chicken wings: Choose high-quality, fresh chicken wings for the best flavor and texture. 
  • Vegetable oil: You’ll lightly coat the wings with oil before baking for that extra crunch. 
  • Low sodium soy sauce: The foundation for the teriyaki glaze. Just like when we make orange chicken and broccoli, low-sodium soy sauce is key to avoiding an overly salty dish.
  • Pineapple juice: I make sure to go for the 100% pure variety. This not only ensures a burst of authentic pineapple flavor but also helps me steer clear of unnecessary added sugars. 
  • Brown sugar: Pack the brown sugar for a sweeter flavor or use less for a slightly tangier profile.
  • Garlic: Mince your garlic like a pro: Lay the peeled garlic clove horizontally on the cutting board and make lengthwise cuts with a sharp chef’s knife. Turn the garlic, then make close crosswise cuts for a finer mince.
  • Fresh ginger: Peel the ginger using the edge of a spoon and then mince it finely. Tip: You can swap in ground ginger. I’d recommend starting with ⅛ teaspoon of ground ginger and adding more to taste.
  • Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent for the teriyaki glaze.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Baked Teriyaki Chicken Wings

Whether it’s game day, a family dinner or a casual get-together, these oven-baked chicken wings are versatile enough to steal the show at any gathering. Here’s a quick overview, plus tips, for how to make these in your kitchen. For the full instructions, see the recipe card below.

  1. Prep the chicken wings. Rinse the chicken wings and thoroughly pat them dry before tossing with the vegetable oil and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

Pro Tip: The key to crispy wings is dryness. Pat the wings thoroughly with paper towels after rinsing to remove excess moisture.

  1. Arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper and fitted with a wire rack. 
  2. Bake in a 400ºF oven, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure that every side of the wings gets its fair share of heat. Cook for 45 to 50 minutes until cooked through and the skin is browned and crispy. 
Crispy baked wings on a baking rack atop a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  1. Make the teriyaki sauce. Whisk the sauce continuously while cooking to prevent lumps. 
  2. Thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the sauce and bring it to a boil for 1 minute then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the sauce until it has thickened to the consistency of syrup, about 5 minutes total.
  1. Toss wings with the sauce. Use a spatula or tongs to generously coat each chicken wing. They’re at their crispiest fresh out of the oven so serve them right away.

Kelly’s Make-Ahead Tip: These are definitely best when served the same day they’re made. If you want to prep this ahead, prepare the sauce up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge. The day you plan to serve the wings, bake them and keep them warm in the oven on low temp. When ready to serve, re-warm the sauce and toss the wings in it. 

Tips

  • Ensure the wings are arranged in a single layer on the baking rack. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy results.
  • Thickening the sauce: The sauce must come to a boil otherwise the cornstarch won’t work as a thickening agent.
  • Chicken should be cooked to 165˚F, so use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. 
  • The same ingredients and technique would be great on skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts, but just make sure to cook the chicken to 165°F, and then use a basting brush to add the glaze.

Serving Suggestions

If you’re turning the wings into a meal, then I usually pair them with creamy coconut rice (or pineapple fried rice) and garlic bok choy

If you’re serving them as a snack at a football party, then I usually pair them with my go-to gameday appetizers:

Common Questions

Can I bake the wings with the sauce already on them?

The glaze contains sugar, which if cooked too long, can caramelize and burn. So it’s best to just toss the wings in the glaze.

Why are my baked wings not crispy?

My secrets for crispy baked wings: High heat and a wire rack! As the fat renders, it melts off the wings, allowing the hot air to circulate all the way around. Translation: Minimum oil, maximum crispiness!

How do I store leftover baked chicken wings?

Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in a 350°F oven for about five to six minutes on one side, then turn them and continue to heat for another five to six minutes or until warmed through.

Baked chicken wings coated in teriyaki sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds on a white plate next to two glasses containing beer and a small bowl with sliced scallions.

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Main Course

Crispy Baked Teriyaki Chicken Wings

Forget the fryer because these Crispy Baked Teriyaki Chicken Wings are baked to golden brown perfection.
Author: Kelly Senyei
4.75 from 4 votes
Teriyaki chicken wings garnished with sesame seeds on a white plate next to two glasses containing beer and a small bowl with sliced scallions.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients 

  • 2 1/2 pounds chicken wings, tips removed, drumettes and flats separated
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
  • Rinse wings and drumettes and thoroughly pat them dry. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with vegetable oil and ¼ teaspoon pepper until well coated. Position the wings on a baking rack in a single layer ensuring that the wings aren't touching.
  • Bake, rotating pan half-way through, until fully cooked, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove wings from oven and transfer to a large bowl.
  • In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, whisk together the soy sauce, water, pineapple juice, brown sugar, garlic and ginger. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sugar has dissolved fully.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to make a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the sauce and simmer until it has thickened to the consistency of syrup, about 5 minutes.
  • Pour the sauce over the wings and toss them to combine. Serve immediately.

Kelly’s Notes

  • Make-Ahead Tip: These are definitely best when served the same day they’re made. If you want to prep this ahead, prepare the sauce up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge. The day you plan to serve the wings, bake them and keep them warm in the oven on low temp. When ready to serve, re-warm the sauce and toss the wings in it.
  • The sauce must come to a boil otherwise the cornstarch won’t work as a thickening agent.
  • Chicken should be cooked to 165˚F, so use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
  • Storage: Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in a 350°F oven for about five to six minutes on one side, then turn them and continue to heat for another five to six minutes or until warmed through.
  • ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Nutrition

Calories: 476kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 117mg, Sodium: 1179mg, Potassium: 355mg, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 225IU, Vitamin C: 4.7mg, Calcium: 42mg, Iron: 2.3mg

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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.


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Comments

  1. I don’t have fresh ginger.I do have dry ground ginger.Can I Substitute the dry ground for the fresh ginger? If so how much?

  2. Hi Kelly. I’m thinking about making a big bunch of wings for a party but would like to do as much work as possible ahead of time. Can these be baked, say, even a day ahead of time? I envision making several different kinds which requires making a big batch of wings ahead of time, then before serving them I would re-heat them quickly and then toss with sauce. What are your thoughts about doing that? Would we lose the crispiness?

    1. Hi Phyllis – These are definitely best when served the same day they’re made. If you want to prep this ahead, you could bake the wings and keep them warm in the oven on low temp then have the sauce prepared (up to a day in advance, store in the fridge). Then re-warm the sauce and toss the wings in it. Hope that helps!

    1. Hi Melissa – Did you bring the slurry and sauce mixture to a boil for 1 minute? It’s important that the sauce come to a boil otherwise the cornstarch won’t work as a thickening agent.

  3. After coating the wings with the sauce can I put them back in the oven or under the broiler to gooey them up?

  4. Haven’t tried it yet, however, wondering if cooking the chicken 1/2 way then applying sauce might make it more carmelized and crispy?

    1. Hi Sue! The glaze contains sugar, which if cooked too long, can caramelize and burn. So it’s best to just toss the wings in the glaze. Hope that helps!

  5. Hey just wondering what if I want to eat the wings later do I add the sauce as per recipe or wait until eating time? I guess my question is what happens if I don’t serve immediately?

  6. Thanks very much. It looks great and I’ll let you know how long they last come this Seahawks Sunday.

  7. These chicken wings look Delicious, I am definitely going to make them, do you make any money from putting these recipes on here? It seems a shame if you don’t.