Best Mango Habanero Wings

overhead view of plated mango habanero wings with a side of sauce

The best mango habanero wings are cooked to crispy perfection in the air fryer and then tossed in a sweet, spicy, sticky homemade sauce. Whether it's game day or a weeknight dinner, these chicken wings are bound to be a hit!

4.98 from 45 votes

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Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: Gluten-Free

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 35

Servings:

Calories: 479kcal

Ingredients

2 lbs Chicken wings (drums and flats) defrosted if frozen
2 tsp Baking powder optional aluminum-free
1 tbsp Jerk seasoning
2 tsp Dried oregano
2 tsp Smoked paprika
1 tsp Garlic powder
½ tsp Onion powder
Sea salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Cooking spray

Mango Habanero Sauce

1 Large Ripe Mango, skin and pit removed (about 1 cup diced mango) (or ½ cup mango nectar)
2-3 Habanero seeded or unseeded
2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp Fresh lime juice
1 tsp Smoked paprika
¼ cup Honey plus more to taste
2 tbsp Butter

Instructions

Clean and pat dry your chicken wings with a paper towel. Add the chicken to a large bowl with the seasonings and baking powder. Make sure all the wings are coated in the seasoning.
Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the chicken in a single layer into the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or place chicken on top of each other.
Cook at 380°F for 10 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and cook for another 7-10 minutes, until no longer pink and an instant thermometer reads 165°F. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches so that the wings are not overcrowded.
Transfer the chicken wings to a plate. Set aside.

Prepare The Mango Habanero Sauce

Add all the ingredients except the butter to a high-powdered blender and blend on high for 1 minute, or until smooth.
Place a saucepan over medium heat and add the butter to the pan. Once the butter melts, pour the blended mango habanero sauce into the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula. Taste and adjust, adding more honey to reduce the spice level. I like to add about 2 more tbsp of honey to the sauce.
Remove the sauce from the heat. Scoop out ⅓ cup of the sauce and set aside for serving with the wings. Add the cooked wings to the sauce pan and toss the wings until all the wings are evenly coated.
Place the wings back in the air fryer for 4 minutes to caramelize the sauce onto the wings or bake for 6-8 minutes.
Serve with a side of mango habanero salsa, your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!

How To Make Crispy Oven Baked Wings

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Season the wings with the seasonings and baking powder.
Place the seasoned wings on an oven-safe wire rack in a single layer. Bake for 40- 45 flipping every 20 minutes. The total cook time will depend on the size of the wings but may take up to 1 hour. Use an instant thermometer to determine doneness, it should read 165°F when fully cooked.
Then proceed with the directions to make the mango habanero sauce. Coat the chicken wings with the sauce then place them back in the oven for up to 8 minutes to caramelize. Once done, serve and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauces.

Video

Notes

Tips To Nail the Recipe

Handle habaneros with gloves.
The more habaneros added the spicier the sauce will be. If you leave the seeds inside the habanero, the sauce will be spicier.
You can use ½ cup mango nectar juice or use 1 whole fresh, ripe mango.
Blend until smooth. Strain if your blender is not strong enough to create a smooth puree
Add more honey to the sauce to cut the spiciness.
Taste the sauce as you prepare it and adjust accordingly.
Use leftover mango habanero sauce as a dipping sauce for your wings or for more recipes.

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