These crispy baked BBQ chicken wings are baked until crisp, tossed in a guava and chili based BBQ sauce then baked until gooey and caramelized. The perfect game day appetizer!
Perfectly sweet, tangy and savory with a touch of heat from the crushed red peppers, I want to eat ALL these baked BBQ chicken wings.
They're so good, I almost immediately made them again a few days later. I feel conflicted because this guava BBQ sauce is just so incredible, I feel like I'm cheating on this homemade barbecue sauce. But this sauce is just SO GOOD I can't help myself.
And the wings are nice and crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. They are absolute perfection!
Why this baked bbq chicken wings recipe works
- Using baking soda and rice flour helps to get ultra crispy chicken in the oven. You get crispy skin which is SO GOOD!
- Using guava as a seasoning for the bbq sauce gives them a sweet flavor without being overpowering. This is my favorite bbq sauce!
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The ingredients
The wingettes or drumettes work best for this oven baked crispy chicken wings recipe. However, in a pinch you can use whole wings.
Often said to be a combination of pear and strawberry, guava paste is much sweeter than the actual guava fruit. The paste has added sugar and pectin to give it a gelatinous texture, similar to a jelly. These Cuban guava pastries are one of my favorite recipes using guava paste.
Rice flour is made from rice. It is gluten free and tends to be much finer than all purpose flour. I like to use rice flour on these wings because it helps to give them a light and airy crispness when baking them in the oven. I use rice flour to make this easy Indian fried chicken too.
The baking soda (not baking powder) help to get ultra crispy wings in the oven.
The remaining ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Substitutions and variations
- Substitute brown sugar for the coconut sugar if necessary.
- Add additional crushed red pepper to make them spicier.
- If you can't get rice flour, you can substitute all purpose flour.
Step by step instructions to bake chicken wings
I learned this wonderful method from Nagi over at RecipeTin Eats - see her full post here. I've adapted the recipe a touch, but the method is the same. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a baking rack on top.
- Preheat oven to 250°F. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Toss the wings in a mixture of baking soda (not powder!), salt and rice flour. I use a ziplock bag to do this as it is easy to shake and get them covered. You can use a bowl also.
- Place the wings in a single layer on a wire rack on a large baking sheet and bake them for 25 minutes. Then increase the heat to 400°F and cook wings another 30 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. The chicken skin should be crispy.
- Remove the wings from the oven and place them in a large bowl. Toss the crispy baked chicken wings in the sauce in a large mixing bowl.
- Place the wings back into the oven for another 10 minutes, until they are caramelized and extra crispy on the edges. Be sure to check them periodically to ensure the BBQ sauce doesn't burn.
How to make guava barbecue sauce
Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until the guava paste has dissolved and a sauce is formed. Stir periodically to keep the sweet sauce from burning.
You may need to smash the guava paste against the edge of the saucepan to move the dissolving along faster.
**PRO-TIP: Cut the guava paste into small pieces before adding it to the sauce - this will help it to dissolve quicker**
Expert tips
- You may need to smash the guava paste against the edge of the saucepan to move the dissolving along faster. Cut the guava paste into small pieces before adding it to the sauce to dissolve quicker.
- If the wings don't get caramelized enough, pop them under the broiler for a couple minutes. Be sure to watch them as the BBQ wings will burn quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 5-10 minutes, until heated through.
They can also be frozen. Heat at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, until warmed through and sizzling.
More chicken wing appetizer recipes
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Recipe
Crispy Baked BBQ Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings (wingettes or drummettes)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup rice flour
Guava BBQ Sauce:
- ½ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup guava paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 teaspoon coconut sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a baking rack on top.
- Combine the rice flour (or regular flour), salt and baking soda in a large bowl or zip lock bag.
- Pat the chicken wings dry. Place the wings in the bag and shake to coat with the mixture.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Turn up the heat to 400°F and bake another 30 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove wings from oven and place in a bowl. Pour sauce over wings and toss to coat.
- Pour wings back on the baking sheet (remove the rack) and bake at 400F degrees for 10 minutes, until crispy and caramelized.
- Serve immediately.
Guava BBQ Sauce
- Combine all the sauce ingredients in a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and continue stirring until guava paste has dissolved.
Expert Tips:
- You may need to smash the guava paste against the edge of the saucepan to move the dissolving along faster. Cut the guava paste into small pieces before adding it to the sauce to dissolve quicker.
- If the wings don't get caramelized enough, pop them under the broiler for a couple minutes. Be sure to watch them as the BBQ wings will burn quickly.
Nutrition
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
I'm with you, I can eat this whole batch by myself! Look at gooeyness and stickiness! The tip on baking how to bake crispy wings. They look perfect!!
Danielle says
I am in love with the method of baking them. I learned it from Nagi and will never go back!!
Marvellina|What To Cook Today says
oooo.....guava paste, coconut sugar, rice flour..sound right up my alley! Love that they are baked too!
Danielle says
Thanks Marv! Guava paste really is awesome 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I know what you mean about that caramelization business - so good! Hubby and I enjoy wings on the regular, mostly on weekends, and they always disappear fast! Will definitely have to give these a try - they sound absolutely DELISH, Danielle 🙂
Danielle says
Thanks Dawn! Anything caramelized really is just awesome 🙂
Cindy Gordon says
I love that these wings are oven baked! My aunt was just asking if I had seen any oven baked wing recipes. She loves wings but can't handle fried foods!
Danielle says
I have become addicted to oven bakes wings. That's pretty much the only way I do it now! I've got several other oven baked wings recipes on my site too.
Leanne says
Used baking soda as recommended, the wings tasted terrible 🙁 couldn’t eat them. So sorry, I wanted to love them.
Danielle says
I'm so sorry they didn't turn out Leanne! I will take a look at the recipe again and see if i need to make adjustments.
Healthy World Cuisine says
That guava BBQ sauce sounds so delicious. Really fun and unique wings. Just in time for the weekend games. Just pinned!
Danielle says
Perfect for game days 🙂 Hope you love it!
Kelly Anthony says
These wings have my mouth watering! I've never cooked with guava pasta but I'm excited to try something new. Thanks for sharing.
Danielle says
Guava paste is soooo awesome! Thanks Kelly!
Demeter says
These sounds so wonderfully flavorful! A must have for game day!
Danielle says
Totally a perfect game day app!
Anna says
Original recipe stated baking POWDER but this stated baking soda so it ruined my wings ): did anyone rate this ACTUALLY make it beforehand?
Danielle says
Hi Anna,
I'm sorry you didn't like the wings. My recipe has always called for baking soda as it is what raises the PH balance of the wings, helping them get brown and crispy on the outside. The BBQ sauce typically counteracts any slight baking soda flavor leftover. Was it the taste of the baking soda you didn't like?
Kate says
Oh my goodness, that guava lime sauce sounds incredible!
Danielle says
It is so delicious!! Thanks Kate 🙂