Every celebration has a flavour; this Easter, let Costack spices turn a simple wings into a golden and crispy on the outside, ridiculously tender on the inside, and tossed in a sticky, sweet, smoky, and just-the-right-amount-of-spicy BBQ glaze
Is there anything better than biting into a crispy, juicy, saucy wing that’s so good it makes you question every other wing you’ve ever had? Well, apologies in advance to your favorite wing spot because these wings are next-level addictive. Golden and crispy on the outside, ridiculously tender on the inside, and tossed in a sticky, sweet, smoky, and just-the-right-amount-of-spicy BBQ glaze. Basically, they’re everything you want in a wing and then some.
If you love wings like we do, be sure to save this recipe for next time you want to whip up a quick batch of wings for a party or just a Tuesday night wing craving (that’s absolutely a thing), and get ready to impress yourself. Remember, napkins are highly recommended.
What You’ll Need
Chicken Wings: You can use flats, drumettes, each part brings its own delicious twist to the table. So go ahead and use whichever part you love most, or better yet, mix ’em up for the ultimate wing experience.
Baking Powder: This is the holy grail for achieving that crispy, crackly skin. Don’t swap this for baking soda as they’re completely different. If you can, stick with aluminium-free baking powder as it keeps your wings crisp without any metallic aftertaste. If you’re out of baking powder, you can sub it with half a cup of flour for a slightly less crispy but similar crunch.
Seasoning and Spices:
I like to keep the seasoning simple with:
- Costack Chicken & Turkey Seasoning
- Costack Complete Seasoning
- Costack Granulated Garlic
- Costack Granulated Onion
- Costack Adobo Seasoning with Pepper
- Costack Thyme Leaves
- A little paprika and cumin for balance
You can also add a touch of Costack Cameroon Pepper if you want extra heat.
For the Sticky BBQ Glaze:
For the best flavour, we recommend using a homemade BBQ sauce infused with Costack spices; it brings a deeper, richer taste that ties everything together. (See quick recipe below.)
To make the glaze:
- ½ cup Costack BBQ Sauce (homemade)
- 1-2 tbsp pepper blend (Costack Cameroon Pepper works perfectly here)
- 1 tbsp Honey
- ½ tsp Lemon Juice
How to Make It
Step 1: Marinate
Pat the wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture (this step is key for achieving that perfect crisp),
Toss them in a bowl with Costack Chicken & Turkey Seasoning, Costack Complete Seasoning, Costack Granulated Garlic, Costack Granulated Onion, Costack Adobo with Pepper, thyme leaves, paprika, and cumin until evenly coated.
Sprinkle baking powder (not baking soda) and toss until evenly coated.
Step 2: Fry to perfection (3 ways)
To Air fry:
For air-fried wings, place the seasoned wings in a single layer in your air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding.
Set the air fryer to 185°C (360°F) and cook for 20-25 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through until golden and crispy.
Continue to step 3
To Bake:
Preheat your oven to 185°C (360°F). Arrange the wings in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet (this promotes even air circulation).
Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re golden and crispy.
Continue to step 3
To Deep fry:
If you do not have an air fryer or oven, you can deep-fry your wings and they’ll come out just as perfect. For deep-fried wings, fill a deep pot with oil over medium heat.
Fry the wings in batches for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy (tip: you’ll know they’re done when they start to float).
Continue to step 3.
Step 3: Glaze
In a bowl, combine your Costack BBQ sauce, pepper blend, honey, and lemon juice.
Pour over the cooked wings and toss until well coated.
Return the coated wings to the air fryer, oven or a dry pan for an additional 5 minutes to set the glaze and boost the crunch.
Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious wings!
Step 4: Finish It Properly
When the chicken is almost done, add a final light sprinkle of seasoning and let it cook for another 1 - 2 minutes.
This ties everything together and gives a balanced finish.
Quick Costack BBQ Sauce (Homemade)
If you don’t have BBQ sauce on hand, here’s a quick way to make one using Costack spices:
You’ll need:
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- ½ tsp Costack Complete Seasoning
- ½ tsp Costack Adobo with Pepper
- ½ tsp Costack Granulated Garlic
- ½ tsp Costack Granulated Onion
- A pinch of Costack Cameroon Pepper (optional, for heat)
How to make it:
Mix everything together in a small pan and let it simmer for 5–7 minutes on low heat until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust sweetness or heat if needed.
Tips
- Dry the Wings Completely: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so take your time patting the wings dry with paper towels.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give your wings some breathing room so they crisp properly.
- Keep Oil at the Right Temp: About 350°F for deep frying to avoid greasy wings.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve your wings with fresh veggies or crispy fries and/or onion rings if you’re feeling indulgent.
- Swap out that chicken thigh with these yummy wings. Imagine Jollof Rice and a side of these sticky wings, yum!
- To cut through the richness, add a fresh side like a tangy coleslaw or a simple salad.
- Classic dips help mellow out the heat while enhancing the flavors.
How To Store Wings
Allow your wings to cool down to room temperature (no more than 2 hours out), then transfer them into an airtight container lined with a paper towel. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, freeze for up to 1-2 months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 200°C (400°F) to restore crispiness.
This is the kind of BBQ wings you make once and keep coming back to. Every celebration has a flavour, bring yours to the table.
