If you’re into bold flavor and crave crispy wings without the mess of sauce, dry rub chicken wings are the move. These wings are coated in a smoky, savory spice blend and cooked until the skin is golden and crackly.
They’re satisfying, full of flavor, and easy to make in the oven or air fryer—no deep frying required. We make these all the time for parties, game nights, and tailgating in the fall.
Helpful Tips
- Pat the wings dry: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so give them a good pat with paper towels before adding the rub.
- Don’t skip the cornstarch: It’s the secret to that crispy skin when baking—helps draw out moisture and adds crunch.
- Use a wire rack: Elevating the wings on a rack helps air circulate so they cook evenly and crisp up all over.
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Dry Rub Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 1.4 cup all-purpose flour enough to fully coat the wings
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken wings dry and transfer them to a large bowl or zip-top bag.
- Add flour, corn starch, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss until the wings are fully coated.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the wings in a single layer. Lightly spritz them with cooking oil.
- Bake for 20 minutes, flip the wings, spritz again, and bake for another 10 minutes—until crispy and fully cooked (internal temp should reach 165°F/74°C).
Nutrition
Laura is the founder and editor of the travel blogs Savored Sips and Savored Journeys. She is dedicated to sharing the best information about drinks found around the world.
Sounds great! When do you add the cornstarch? With the other dry ingredients?
Hi Barb, sorry for the confusion. Yes, you would add the corn starch along with the other dry ingredients. I have updated the recipe to reflect that.
Thanks for the reply – I can’t wait to try them!