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Spice-rubbed baked chicken wings on a black tray, similar to these dry rub chicken wings
Chef Emma

Dry Rub Chicken Wings

A smoky, slightly sweet 10-spice chicken wing dry rub with crispy oven-baked wings, plus air fryer, grill and smoker options.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Dry in fridge (optional, 1 to 24 hours) 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 375
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Wings
  • 3 lb chicken wings 1.36 kg, split into flats and drums, patted dry
  • 2 tsp aluminum-free baking powder optional, for oven or air fryer
Dry rub
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 2 tsp kosher salt or 1¼ tsp table salt
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp dried thyme or oregano
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper up to ½ tsp for more heat

Equipment

  • Rimmed sheet pan
  • Oven-safe wire rack
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Instant-read thermometer

Method
 

  1. Whisk all the dry rub ingredients together, breaking up any lumps of sugar.
  2. Pat the wings very dry (don't rinse them). Toss with the rub and baking powder until evenly coated.
  3. Optional: refrigerate the wings uncovered on a rack 1 to 24 hours.
  4. Heat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Arrange the wings on a greased wire rack over a foil-lined sheet pan, skin side up, with space between them. Bake 30 minutes.
  5. Raise the oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake 40 to 50 minutes more, rotating once, until deep golden and crisp and at least 165°F (74°C); 175°F to 190°F is most tender.
  6. Rest 5 minutes and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing, celery and carrots.

Notes

Air fryer: 380°F for 20 minutes, then 400°F for 5 to 8 minutes. Grill: indirect heat 30 to 35 minutes, then crisp over direct heat. Use baking powder, not baking soda. Discard any rub that touched raw chicken. Refrigerate cooked wings within 2 hours and eat within 3 to 4 days. Calories are an estimate per serving (1/4 of 3 lb wings) from USDA FoodData Central values for the edible portion.