Old Bay wings, roasted to crispy perfection, then coated in spicy Old Bay Hot Sauce. Serve them with your favorite ranch dressing or blue cheese as a party appetizer or Super Bowl snack. (This recipe is gluten-free.)
If you are a big chicken wings fan, you’ll have to try our Crispy Buffalo Wings, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Honey Lemon Pepper Wings, or Mango Habanero Wings next!
Old bay wings are crispy, and saucy, with the perfect level of spice. This recipe uses both Old Bay seasoning and Old Bay hot sauce for a double dose of Maryland flavor. As a Baltimore native, I savor the smoky, spicy, herbaceous, aromatic flavors of the seasonings and all the nostalgia it brings!
Reasons This Old Bay Wings Recipe Works
- Easy to Make! This recipe is straightforward with just a few simple ingredients. It’s nearly foolproof! No oil, flour, deep frying, or standing over the stove with hot grease.
- Super Flavorful! The chicken wings are generously seasoned with Old Bay and later doused in Old Bay hot sauce and butter for a mouthwatering combination of sensational flavors.
- Great for Parties! No one objects when there’s a platter of wings at a gathering. These chicken wings will quickly become a party favorite!
What is Old Bay?
Old Bay is a popular seasoning blend made by McCormick, that originated in the United States, specifically in the Chesapeake Bay area. It is most commonly used for seafood dishes. Old Bay typically contains a mix of spices, including paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Is Old Bay good on chicken?
We’ve all heard of Old Bay as a popular spice blend for crabs (like our Authentic Maryland Crab Cake recipe) but don’t limit it to just seafood! The seasoning tastes amazing on a variety of dishes, including chicken and fries. In Maryland, we put Old Bay on everything!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Old Bay Wings
- Chicken wings: Use fresh or frozen wings. If using frozen, just be sure to defrost and dry them before seasoning.
- Old Bay seasoning: The main source of flavor for this recipe.
- Baking powder: This is essential for crispy Old Bay wings. This draws out moisture, for extra crispy skin. Do not mistake it with baking soda because it won’t have the same effect.
- Salt: This enhances the overall flavor.
For the Old Bay Hot Sauce
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter makes it easy to combine ingredients. It also helps the sauce seep into the chicken and infuse it with spicy flavor.
- Old Bay Hot Sauce: This stuff is like liquid gold. It’s tangy with a kick of heat and pairs well with the seasoning. Old bay has stated that their hot sauce is gluten-free so no worries there!
How to Make Old Bay Wings
- SEASON WINGS. Begin by preheating the oven to 425°F. Then season the chicken wings with Old Bay seasoning, salt, and baking powder.
- BAKE WINGS. Arrange the seasoned wings in a single layer on an oven-safe wire rack. Bake them for 45 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
- PREPARE OLD BAY WINGS SAUCE. Meanwhile, melt the butter and combine it with Old Bay hot sauce. Toss the baked wings in this mixture, then bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the wings are fully cooked and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- SERVE. Serve the wings drizzled with more Old Bay Hot Sauce and enjoy your flavorful meal!
Tips For Making The Best Crisy Old Bay Hot Wings
- Arrange the wings on a baking sheet in a single layer with some space between each wing. Crowding the pan can lead to steaming and soggy wings.
- Use a baking rack when cooking Old Bay wings. This helps the hot air circulate and penetrate the chicken wings from every direction, resulting in crispy chicken.
- Wait until the wings are nearly done before tossing them in the hot sauce. If added too soon, the wings may burn.
- If you do not have Old Bay Hot Sauce, you can always use the hot sauce or buffalo sauce of your choice.
Recipe Variations
- Honey Old Bay Wings: Add 1 tablespoon of your favorite honey to the buffalo sauce for a balance of sweet and spicy. Or serve your wings with hot honey sauce for dipping.
- Air Fryer Wings: You can easily make this recipe in the air fryer in about 25 minutes. However, you may need to cook the wings in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Follow my Air Fryer BBQ Wings recipe, just switch out the BBQ sauce for the Old Bay Hot Sauce.
- Fried Old Bay Wings: Coat the wings in a mixture of Old Bay seasoning, flour (gluten-free if necessary), and a pinch of salt. Heat oil in a deep skillet to 375°F (190°C). Fry the wings in batches for about 10-12 minutes, until they are golden brown and crispy. Drain excess oil on paper towels, toss the wings in the Old Bay hot sauce while they are still hot, and serve immediately.
FAQs
What do you use Old Bay seasoning for?
Old Bay seasoning is a versatile spice blend that’s primarily used in seafood recipes like crab boils, shrimp boils, and fish dishes. However, it’s not limited to seafood. Add it to soup, roasted veggies, potato salad, French fries, and even snacks like popcorn.
Why put baking soda on chicken wings?
Baking soda is often used on chicken wings in order to achieve a crispy texture. When the wings are coated with baking soda and then baked, it raises the pH level on the wing’s surface, promoting browning and creating a crispy crust, especially when cooked at high temperatures.
I Hope You Enjoy This Old Bay Wings Recipe!
If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments. Leave a quick review & star rating ★ below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.
More Chicken Wing Recipes To Try!
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings
- Grilled Greek-Style Lemon Yogurt Chicken
- Best Lemon Herb Chicken Wings
Buffalo Old Bay Wings
Ingredients
Old Bay Wings
- 3 lbs wings
- 3 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1.5 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
For the Old Bay Hot Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1/3 cup Old Bay hot sauce plus more for serving (or your favorite hot sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Season the wings with the old bay, salt, and baking powder. Place the seasoned wings on an oven-safe wire rack in a single layer.
- Bake for 45 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Melt the butter, then mix in the old bay hot sauce.
- Then, toss the wings in the Old Bay hot sauce mixture and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the wings are fully cooked and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Serve the wings with more Old Bay Hot Sauce and enjoy!
