Let’s just call these what they are: crack wings. Addictively delicious and yet simple to make, this is the low carb chicken wings recipe that will keep you coming back for more!
Excuse me, please, while I have a bit of a moment. And I don’t mean a good moment, either. I mean a “I need a drink, make that two, oh hell, just give me the whole damn bottle” kind of moment. I am on day three of solo parenting and I just caught kiddo #2 with a bottle of green food dye, attempting to dye some pages in a notebook. For fun, I suppose, but being my most accident-prone child, she’d also done a number on her hands, her clothes and the carpet. To be honest, I lost my $%@#. I was furious, in part because she was being sneaky about it. She didn’t ask because she knew I’d say no, and she’s old enough to know better. And of course this all comes after a weekend of trials and tribulations.
I am not one of those parents who will pretend that parenting is this glorious experience and I feel so blessed at every moment. I know I am blessed but there are times I feel distinctly un-blessed. I also won’t tell you that it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done because there are times (many times) that it feels so un-rewarding, I want to cry. I do cry! Ask me again when I’ve managed to get them all safely through childhood and into productive and happy adulthood. Maybe then I will look back on it all with rose-coloured glasses and I will tell you it was the best thing I’ve ever done. Until then, pass me another drink.
Every time my husband goes away, I have these romantic notions of the fun things we are going to do to stay entertained. But reality sets in pretty quickly. My son has a research project due right at the end of school and helping him figure out what he needs to do and to actually do it took up much of our Saturday. Sunday morning, I took them to breakfast and the park and my six year old was strangely giddy and hyper and spilled half of her breakfast everywhere. I then took them to a fun (and expensive) trampoline park to get out the rambunctiousness and my son spent half the time arguing with me about going to an arcade instead. So when we arrived home, I was desperate for a little peace and quiet. And then the food dye incident…
So. What does this have to do with low carb chicken wings? Nothing. Nothing at all. I just had to share because sharing is what keeps me sane. Every time someone says “yep, I know how you feel, I’ve been there”, I feel a million times better. Because I know it’s normal and I am not alone. So come on, soothe me, friends. I am very much in need of soothing.
And now, the recipe. This is my recreation of the best wings I’ve ever had, which happened to be at Northstar in Ithaca, New York last summer. I asked the chef how they were made and it turned out they were smoked first, and then tossed with browned butter and Old Bay seasoning. While I do happen to own a smoker, I wanted to make a version that was doable by the average home cook. And this, my friends, is not only doable but amazingly delicious and worth doing at your first opportunity. Crispy skin slathered in caramel-y brown butter and seasoned lightly with Old Bay. Let’s just call them crack wings, because they are that addictive!
You need to check out these Crispy Baked Chicken Wings from Fifteen Spatulas for another great trick for baked wings! And these Turmeric Chicken Wings from Fearless Dining look ah-mazing!
- 3 lbs chicken wings
- 1 1/2 tbsp baking powder
- 3 tbsp butter melted
- 3 to 4 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
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Preheat oven to 250F and place a baking rack over a baking sheet lined with foil. Brush rack with oil to prevent sticking.
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Pat wings dry very well and place in a plastic bag. Sprinkle with baking powder and shake to coat. Lay wings in a single layer on prepared baking rack and bake in lower third of oven for 30 minutes.
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Increase oven temperature to 425F and move baking sheet to upper third of oven. Continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, until crispy.
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In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook butter until it becomes a deep amber, 4 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully so it does not burn.
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Transfer wings to a bowl and pour butter over. Toss to combine. Sprinkle with Old Bay to taste (it can get pretty salty so a light hand is best until you see how they taste).
Serves 6 as a main course.
Per serving:
Food energy: 488kcal
Total fat: 35.20g
Calories from fat: 316
Cholesterol: 266mg
Carbohydrate: 1.77g
Total dietary fiber: 0.09g
Protein: 39.87g
Lisa says
I’ve definitely been there and then some! At 2 years my daughter cracked open a dozen eggs on the floor, dumped parmesan cheese on top and a big helping of Ketchup because she was “cooking”. At 6:30 am while I was still asleep. Cute and also not cute. My 4 yr old son got into model car paint and made an enormous abstract painting on the carpet, also in the early a.m. They also had silent food fights until I walked into the room and then it was loud finger pointing. They did honey/Vaseline ‘slip an slide’ on the hallway carpet while I showered. Don’t get me started on their teen years and I was a stay at home mom! I remember several times trying to go on a fun outing but one or both were complaining or arguing over who knows what. Then, just after my son got married at 19, (I did mention, prior to the nuptials that he was not ready for that step), he got himself into major trouble. So, I hate to rain on that false sense of “when they’re grown” parade because it may or may not be a myth. Lol However, they’re now both grown, (early 30’s) still happily married, with kids of their own. They are also experiencing the joys of raising kids much like themselves. It’s hard to keep the smirk off my face at times :•)
Carolyn says
Oh man! I was hoping I would be able to send them on their way at 18 and never have to worry again…. (actually, as a former college advisor, I know this very much NOT to be true!).
Kim says
Awesome (and all too familiar) story(ies) and can’t wait to make your wings! Holy Cow!
I’m a SAHM – I feel your pain. We just made it through week one of summer break here in GA (barely through). My husband does not travel but works long hours (gone by 7:30 – home at 8:30/9:00). I rarely drink but should b/c I am oh so pleasant by the time he makes it home every night. I only have two kids 6 & 2 (almost 7 & 3). But, they keep me busy but certainly not sane!!!
Thank you for being able to churn out a recipe!!!!
Carolyn says
Phew, you have your hands full too!
JOAN says
Show me the momma who never yelled at her kids and she’ll be the one with the nanny. Good news: your kids turn out fine if you live long enough!
Carolyn says
Haha, good point, Joan!
Valerie Lane says
thanks for saying that because I yell all the time and my husband tells me that I should just spank with a belt.. i have a problem with this ?
Carolyn says
Yell away. Much better than spanking!
Julie says
The wings look fabulous and I am so excited to make them.
In the mean time I feel your pain regarding kids. Ours are pretty good when you look around and see what other parents are dealing with, yet there are still days when you wonder why you didn’t just stick with raising dogs. So much easier, no college tuition and their love is much more unconditional! But after a pretty tumultuous childhood, which IMO is frankly what you get when you do your job right as a parent and teach your kids to be both curious and independent, our oldest at 21 is a fabulous young man to be around. We are still waiting for our 18 year old to have his epiphany,
So take comfort when you are trying to channel your kids’ curiosity into less destructive outcomes….you are doing something right when it comes to stimulating their ability to use their brain. And the arguing is their way of trying out independence. You want your kids to take control of their lives, and you are their teacher for how to do that within societal guidelines.
Toughest job ever.
Carolyn says
Wise words, Julie. Thank you!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Many a day, my parting words to my husband as he left for work: “See you later. If you’re lucky, you’ll still have kids when you return. If not, you’ll know I finally snapped.”
Oh, those wings! As I was reading about the inspiration, I thought if you wanted that smoky flavor, you could put a drop of smoke flavoring in the butter (probably a single drop), or a pinch of smoked paprika would probably also do it and would fit into the Old Bay. Just musing.
Carolyn says
That would be tasty too!
Nancy says
I only had one, a daughter, and raised her as a single mom from age 7-18! Yes, there was lots of yelling, and my tears, and her tears, but there was lots of fun and adventure too. Now she’s married with a 2.5 year old and one coming end of July! And yes, there have been moments in the 2.5 year old’s existence that I have guffawed at because I went through the same thing while raising her!!! Have that drink, honey. Have that bottle!!! Life is short!?
In the recipe, it says “cook butter until it becomes deep amber, 4 to 5..”
What?!? Haaahahaha!! A single mama moment!
Love you! Keep on cookin’ !!! ??❤️
Carolyn says
Oops, 4-5 minutes. Off to correct that…
Rob J says
Chicken wings are my jam!! I’ve been almost daily cooking wings using butter + Frank’s hot sauce ( I know I know – it was the cleanest sauce I could find) but this looks miles better – definitely will be giving this a try! 😀
Carolyn says
WE love Frank’s Buffalo Sauce! 🙂
Linda says
Maybe we need T-shirts when our kids hit 18 that says “We survived their childhood”.
My kids are in their 30s. I’m remembering the “science lab” they set up in the bathroom. The bathroom looked like a Jackson Pollock painting. Luckily, it was in the bathroom, not the bedroom where I would have had to deal with getting paint out of the carpet. And it was water-based paint. They were old enough that they got to clean the mess. 🙂
The recipe looks amazing. And I have another trick to getting that smokey flavor-add some smoked paprika. 🙂
Keisha - Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams says
Dang it! Now my mouth is watering!!! I had all kinds of plans to eat a huge salad at lunch….now, I’m gonna have to get wings! Thanks a LOT! (no, really….thank you).
So, what does the baking powder do for the baked wings? I’m a girl who can’t let a week go by without having wings….and I need to know! Thanks – you’re awesome.
Carolyn says
It dries out the skin and allows it to become super crispy.
Carrie says
I found out last week that my daughter is failing not one, not two, but THREE classes! My husband (who supposedly had the job of monitoring her schoolwork) pretty much dumped the situation on me last week. So I spent my weekend setting work timers for her and assisting her with math problems that I haven’t looked at in 35 years. Total bliss. You are NOT alone!
Carolyn says
Oh man, CArrie!
Pam says
All I can say is “what goes round cakes around”. Our daughter has seven it has come back to her in spades. Now as to the recipe these are going on the must make this weekend, thanks and hang in there Mom.
Carolyn says
Thanks, Pam!
Tracy says
I so know where you’re coming from. I don’t have kids but I have had many kids of the canine persuasion. My sweet, beyond smart German Shepherd Beca loved to eat dirt. ??? She got into my potted plant and went to town. She then decided maybe that wasn’t such a good thing and proceeded to Expell (trying not to be gross) it in as many spots as she could. On my brand new cream colored carpeting. VERY BLACK DIRT. Still could see the spots when we moved. She’s passed now and of course she was the most perfect dog ever. Your kids will be too. Lol.
Carolyn says
YIKES!
Elaine Markley says
Great, easy wing recipe, Carolyn! And I make a batch of brown butter up every week or so.
As for kids, I was a single mom, from the time of my divorce, to three daughters, 10, 6 and 3. You don’t even know what I had to deal with plus a part time job, full time college and the girls! I feel ya! Now the youngest is 38, next oldest is 41 and the oldest is 45. They still fight. I stay out of it! LOL
Carolyn says
Thanks, Elaine!
Erin M. says
We’ve all been there. If a parent says they haven’t their kids are either still very young or they are flat out lying. My two girls are 15 and 8 and will bicker about anything. There are more times than I can count where I just look at them with my Mom look and say “Really?”. I am so thankful that my oldest is now old enough that I can just leave the house when ” I’m done!”.
I’m not a perfect parent and I don’t try to hide this. I believe my girls need to see that I am only human and have a wide range of emotions just like them and anyone else.
Carolyn says
That’s very much how I feel about it too, Erin. I don’t want to be super mom, I just want to be real with them.
Cathy says
what does the baking powder do in this recipe?
Carolyn says
Crisps the skin. Best way to bake chicken if you want crispy skin!
Kim | Low Carb Maven says
As I said on Facebook, my husband is crazy about Old Bay Seasoning and would love these. As far as kids, I start every morning with the desire to be positive and perfect but by the end of the day decide that if the number of positive interactions with my kids tipped the scales, it was a good day.
Jenny says
Hi there! Taking a breather to check out my favorite food blog. I’m a mom of 8 children (14 years – 6 months), husband is traveling and we have a stomach virus going through the house…. I don’t think I need to say any more except that you are not alone. Hang in there! Love your blog and recipes. 🙂
Carolyn says
Wow, hang in there!
Sarah G says
Hi there, sorry about the stomach virus! Terrible stuff!
I just wondered if you all eat low-carb and gluten free as a family? We have 8 kids too but I know no other family who eat as we do (lc and gf) .So, just curious.
Get well soon.
pdxgirl says
Ok, listen here you poor thing I have experienced all and more, my girls are now grown and now I’m contending w/an aging animal cat population. Every day it’s something. One cat doesn’t want to use the litter box and prefers to pee on my bathroom floor, I had to remove the brand new rug because he did 3 days in a row, he last did it on my bathroom scale and ruined, it went out with the trash, my other old loves to yak up any where and everywhere. I still question why I do this day in and day out, and their not my kids, but they are my animals and I love. I have many, many stories but I won’t bore anyone with them. My girls have taken black magic marker and colored on the white paneling, have “painted my beautiful antique chair w/red finger nail polish. My furniture, my carpets drapes bedding have all been ruined.
I’m sorry you will get through this, and yes drinking comes in handy it dulls the pain.
Carolyn says
Thank you!
Leah says
Hi! Your male cat may have crystals in his urine or a UTI. My cat did this too. Hope it helps!!
Mike Mac says
I just came here for a recipe and found out my dad was right – “They’re all nuts”.
Good comments, good recipe
Sarah G says
It’s really hard to be grateful during the frustrating moments of child-rearing. Once they are all in bed on a bad day though, I usually realize that I lost my cool and plan to start better the next day. Doesn’t always work out but I couldn’t imagine life without them so I keep trying.
Angela says
Since I already love every ingredient in this recipe I know it will be absolutely delicious and a new staple in our repetoire, so many of your recipes are…THANK YOU!!! As for the many trials & tribulations of single parenting…I am with you(unfortunately my husband travels frequently) and on the flip side your post actually soothed me…so thank you so much for sharing! Usually, during the stressful moments I say to myself “this too shall pass” and although I know it’s not guaranteed, it does seem to help me in the moment! LOL! Thanks again for all the wonderful recipes! I’ve now lost 25lbs. and only 12 more to go! But regardless, I’m LCHF for life! ????
Carolyn says
Sharing those trials and frustrations is so helpful to me…glad you found it helpful too!
Dawn says
I’m always relieved when I hear parents talk openly about how parenting isn’t the most fulfilling thing in their life. There are moments that it’s amazing and moments that it downright sucks. We’re allowed to admit this about everything else in our lives, but for some reason admitting this about parenting is stigmatized. I don’t get it. I completely agree with you, though. It’s gotten better as my kids have gotten older and matured out of some of the stupid whiney phases, but yeah, I can think of much better things to do than listen to my kids complain that the activity I’ve not only chosen for them to do but spent a half a week’s grocery budget on wasn’t good enough for them.
As for the recipe, I love it! Wings are my go to for when I don’t feel like cooking lunch. I wonder how well these would freeze? I would bake them again to warm them up from frozen. I may try this with about half a pound to see how it works out.
Carolyn says
Let me know what happens after freezing! I am curious…
Robyn says
Wow, you just made me feel a millions times better too! I don’t have many moms to talk to so I always feel like I’m the only “one” out of there. Love you food and your posts!
Eileen says
OK. You are obviously something more than a human, though perhaps less than a god. Food-wise, anyway. Maybe your difficult days are just there to keep you humble. 🙂 But I *totally* worship your foodie skills!!!!! 🙂
These are every bit as delicious as you say. We’ve used the butter & Old Bay on chicken drumsticks, baked similarly to the wings, with excellent results as well. And we’ve cheated — my husband ordered wings from the local pizza joint — plain, extra crispy — and then when he got them home we dumped them in a serving dish and gave them the brown butter treatment. Yum!
The best wings I ever had (besides traditional Buffalo wings from the original Anchor bar, that is!), are Salt & Pepper wings from the Blue & Gray restaurant in Gettysburg PA. This recipe reminded my family of those! I wonder if they are prepared the same way, only with S&P instead of Old Bay? Now I’ll have to try it! Meanwhile, these are every bit as awesome as you say.
What a website. I have yet to find a recipe here that isn’t GREAT. Thank you for making a low carb lifestyle actually livable!!! (And for making *me* look good as a low-carb cook!!)
Carolyn says
Thank you! Oh my gosh, I am laughing and blushing!
Jeff says
Carolyn, you seemed like you always have it so together. Well, the kids have us outnumbered. Wait until they become teens; you’ll wish you had the young kids back! Although I don’t think they even turn human until older than 4 (they are so cute then so we don’t ‘kill’ them). 12-13, their minds are as if on crack. Worst decision I ever made was becoming a parent. I had all these romantic ideas about how close we’d be and the fun we’d have. Well, we have a granddaughter as well now, and the ungrateful things hide from us–we don’t even know where they live. Despite this, I still get envious when I see others’ cute kids. Heartbusters. Hang in there, yours don’t seem so bad.
I got a huge bottle of dried, smoked Chipoltle pepper powder from Amazon that I’m gonna use on those wings, it’s the bomb…
Jillian says
Ha! I love that commercial where the mom is doing the happy dance when her kids get on the school bus to go back to school in the fall. I did not find parenting that easy, yet, am grateful to have a family. My oldest is 45 now, and we still have a few moments that are a challenge. My second was so easy. We all seem to have lessons and growth here and the kiddos are big part of it. It is a very good thing to share with all of us. If we have kids we get it!
Nancy says
Haha, I feel your pain! My older one is grown with a job and apartment of her own (praise God!), and the other just graduated from college. Or what I thought was her graduation. She tells me a week ago she is lacking one course (after I have spent a fortune and doing a happy dance that she is finished). She said she was supposed to get at least a ‘B’ in a class that was in her major. Amazing I still have hair on my head. And then the older one says she is applying for a master’s program in the Caribbean. No the fun never ends, but I have a well-stocked bar! So bring some low carb snacks over and I will supply the cocktails (low carb of course, hahaha!) and we would probably be on the floor laughing our you-know-what’s off!!
Carolyn says
Ahhhhhhh, sorry they are still giving you fits!
Sheryl says
Have SO been there! Looking back, I should have been more patient but also should have put up with less unpleasant behavior on their part. Having said that, they were nice kids overall and I bet yours are too. We now have a 26 year old daughter who has gone from self-centered teen and college student to a wise and considerate true adult–YAY! And a 22 year old son with one more year of college, great career prospects, and a funny and loving nature. Double-YAY!! It’s worth it. It’s really, really worth it.
Mary-Stewart says
It’s so refreshing for me to read another mother’s blog and discover that I am not the only one that has days similar to the one you described. The fact that you keep up with this beautiful blog and share delicious recipes with me, well and everyone else 😉 AND be a mother shows that you are super woman! It is so hard when the husband leaves us mommas solo, so we must encourage each other to keep on keeping on, even when it’s tough and we’re tired and just. need. a. break! Thank you for sharing your real life with us. You are not alone!
Carolyn says
Thanks, Mary!
Darrell says
Should the wings be thawed first?
Carolyn says
If they are frozen, they absolutely should.
Deborah Ragno says
THIS is the recipe I’ve been hunting for since I bought the wings last month. I know what we are eating on Wednesday!
Lisa says
HOLY CRAP these are the bomb!!! I have never eaten or cooked wings before and they were amazing! The whole family devoured them with great praise. I had a 4 1/2 lb package of wings from Costco and we ate all but 6 pieces (there were 6 of us). Served with sugar free cole slaw and garlic mashed potatoes for the carbers. I can’t wait to make them again. For those who might read this and who don’t like old bay, for some reason the browned butter totally changes the flavor and as much as I love old bay, I wouldn’t have guessed that was the seasoning used. Tastes more like fried chicken flavoring. Thanks so much for your genius recipes.
Carolyn says
I am so glad they were a hit!
Tiphanie says
Getting ready to make these tonight and just read through the post. That is the day I am having today so even though I am 3 months late, I FEEL YOU! LOL.
Carolyn says
Aw, sorry you were having a rough day!
Rachel says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I’ve been looking for a good low-carb chicken wing recipe and I think I found it. I have difficulty cooking chicken sometimes, but this looks pretty easy to follow!
caitlin kelly says
These wings are AWESOME!!! The buttery goodness combined with the Old Bay… WOW! They were so easy to make too! They will be a regular on my weekly rotation!
Kelly says
These were great! So crisp and crunchy! Would have never thought of Old Bay on wings! Would make again for sure!
Jules says
We just try this recipe for the first time last night. So surprised at how well it Krista the skin without frying or adding anything else to it. Thank you so much for providing your low carb and low sugar recipes. For some with PC OS who has put herself on a strict sugarfree and no carb diet, I love your website !
Joan says
Okay, I have no kids to blame it on. I just lovingly followed this recipe, took a bite of the first one, and spit it out. Gross! Guess who used baking SODA instead of baking powder? Damn, I was so ready for these wings! I literally washed them off and just threw them back in the oven, but I’m not feeling very hopeful ??
Carolyn says
Oh goodness…so sorry about that. Yuck indeed!
carolyn says
You are really funny.I just happen to run across your page.It made my morning joyful.Thanks you.
Carolyn says
Well that’s lovely to hear. Thank you!
Ginny L. says
This came up today somehow (ha) in my feed on FB and the recipe caught my eye/stomach. The story, however, caught my heart. THIS. THIS is what my life feels like (and mine are little). You succinctly put into words what I’ve been struggling to come to grips with. The blessed but not feelin’ it, thing. Thank you for your deliciousness, but thank you so much for your honesty. I desperately needed that today. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Now to put them back into their beds for the 947th time.
Carolyn says
You are so welcome, Ginny. I feel that people often feel that they must present the best side of everything and it can leave us feeling alienated. I am glad it helped, even a little.
Jessica says
I really love the way you make your wings – I’ve never made them before and it was SO SIMPLE. The wings were very perfectly cooked following your method. I have also always been intimidated by the idea of making brown butter and it was also very easy (and delicious!). We didn’t have any Old Bay seasoning, so I just used the brown butter and a balsamic glaze – I look forward to making these again with the Old Bay. Thank you!
Jessica says
I’ve made these three or four times now and I’m making them again tonight. Thanks, again, for providing such a simple and amazing recipe!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
Perfect for the game on Sunday! Love that brown butter!
gerry speirs says
Yummmmm Old Bay!!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I want a HUGE plate of these babies!
Brandie says
You had my at Old Bay. Delicious!!
Jennifer Farley says
These are amazing wings! Such great flavors!
Jennifer Blake says
I cannot wait to make these for the Superbowl! We bought wings but didn’t know what we wanted to do with them… YUM!
Cookin Canuck says
Did someone say brown butter? These chicken wings look amazing!
Joanne Leblanc says
In Canada, we don’t have access to Old Bay. Can you suggest other flavorings?
Carolyn says
Google how to make an Old Bay mix…I know there are some pretty great ones out there. These would also be good just with lemon pepper.
Jennifer Blake says
So back in January I had said I was making these for our Superbowl party and I did… they were awesome! My whole family went back for more (which is saying something) and our guests were impressed. Love that they were baked and came out with the best flavor! This recipe is now in our regular rotation.
Jennifer Farley says
I need these! I’m making them for dinner tonight!
kellie says
these sound incredible!!