Dark Glazed Chicken Wings (Bat Wings for Halloween)
These chicken wings are roasted until crispy and coated in a glossy, deep soy glaze that crackles as it caramelizes. The marinade combines soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger to create a smoky, savory flavor with a spooky, dark appearance, perfect for a Halloween centerpiece. The final wings are sticky, dark, and irresistibly crispy on the outside with tender meat inside.
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Calories: 350kcal
Servings: 4
Equipment
- Baking sheet with rim
- Wire rack
- Brush or Spoon
- Small Saucepan
- Kitchen Tongs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings drumettes and flats
- 1/4 cup soy sauce low-sodium preferred
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 inch fresh ginger grated
- 2 tablespoons rice wine or dry sherry optional but recommended
- 1 star star anise optional, adds aroma
- to taste black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with foil, placing a wire rack on top to catch drippings.
- In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice wine, and the star anise if using. Whisk until well combined and the honey is dissolved, creating a dark, fragrant marinade.
- Pat the chicken wings dry thoroughly with paper towels. This helps them crisp up nicely in the oven.
- Toss the wings in half of the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Use your hands or tongs for even coverage.
- Arrange the coated wings on the wire rack, skin side up, leaving space between each piece for even roasting. Reserve the remaining marinade for glazing.
- Roast the wings in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, until they turn a deep mahogany color and the edges start to crackle and bubble.
- Halfway through, brush the wings generously with the remaining marinade using a brush or spoon. For extra stickiness and shine, brush again in the last 5 minutes of roasting.
- Check for doneness by ensuring the skin is crispy, dark, and crackly, with juices running clear when pierced. The glaze should be thick, shiny, and sticky.
- Remove the wings from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes. This allows the glaze to set a little and the juices to redistribute.
- Serve your spooky dark wings hot, possibly garnished with sesame seeds or chopped scallions for extra flavor and presentation. Crack into them to enjoy the crispy, sticky, smoky magic.
Notes
Adjust oven temperature if wings darken too quickly. Using a broiler briefly at the end can enhance crispiness. For an extra spooky look, serve with black or dark-colored dipping sauces.
Nutrition
Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 900mg | Potassium: 400mg | Sugar: 15g | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 2mg