Oven Baked Chicken Wings

Here’s a simple recipe for Oven-Baked Chicken Wings that are crispy, juicy, and full of flavor:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika (smoked or regular)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp baking powder (for extra crispiness)
• Optional: 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (for a little heat)
• Your favorite wing sauce (buffalo, BBQ, etc.) for tossing after baking (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet if you have one, to help air circulate around the wings and make them crispier.
2. Prepare the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This step is crucial to get them crispy! Once dry, transfer them to a large bowl.
3. Season the Wings: Drizzle the olive oil over the wings and toss to coat. Then add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and baking powder. Toss everything together until the wings are evenly coated with the seasonings.
4. Arrange the Wings: Spread the wings out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet (or wire rack if you’re using one). Make sure they’re not overcrowded to ensure they bake evenly and get crispy.
5. Bake: Bake the wings in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking. The wings should be golden brown and crispy when done.
6. Optional – Toss in Sauce: If you’re using a sauce (like buffalo or BBQ), toss the wings in the sauce once they’re done baking. You can also serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
7. Serve:
   Serve your crispy oven-baked chicken wings with your favorite dipping sauces, like ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy wings!