Creating the perfect sticky honey BBQ wings is a straightforward process that even beginners can master. Follow these step-by-step instructions to achieve mouthwatering results:

Preparation

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for the wings.
2. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the sheet to allow air circulation around the wings.

Seasoning the Wings

3. Dry the Wings: Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings dry. This step is crucial for achieving crispy skin.
4. Season the Wings: In a large bowl, toss the wings with salt, pepper, and olive oil until evenly coated.

Baking

5. Arrange the Wings: Place the wings on the wire rack, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not touching.
6. Bake the Wings: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

Making the Sauce

7. Combine Sauce Ingredients: While the wings are baking, in a saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, and melted butter.
8. Simmer the Sauce: Stir the mixture and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened, then remove from heat.

Coating the Wings

9. Coat the Wings: Once the wings are done baking, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the sticky honey BBQ sauce over the wings and toss until they are well-coated.

Final Touch

10. Bake Again: Return the sauced wings to the wire rack and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and adhere to the wings.