These crispy Old Bay Wings are addictively delicious and yet simple to make. Drenched in brown butter and plenty of seasoning, they will keep you coming back for more!
This recipe for Old Bay Wings is my recreation of some of the best chicken wings I’ve ever had. It was at a restaurant in upstate New York, and I was hooked after the first bite.
I managed to corner the chef and ask him what made them so darn good. He was kind enough to share his secrets: a combination of browned butter and Old Bay seasoning.
I raved about them so much to my husband that he insisted we try it for ourselves. So I immediately got to work. I used my best tricks for making crispy keto chicken wings, and then played with the proportions until I got it just right.
You are going to be so glad I did!
Why you will love these wings
The original recipe, from Northstar restaurant in Ithaca, calls for smoking the wings. And while I do happen to own a smoker, I wanted to make a version that was accessible the average home cook. These Old Bay wings are definitely doable and worth doing at your first opportunity.
While seasoning chicken with Old Bay is nothing new, the addition of the brown butter makes this recipe extra special. And tossing the wings with baking powder allows you to get truly crispy skin in the oven. I use the same method for my Cajun Wings too.
The method is easy and results in succulent chicken that really is finger-licking good.
Reader Reviews
“These were great! So crisp and crunchy! Would have never thought of Old Bay on wings! Would make again for sure!” — Kelly
“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!” — Jessica
“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!” — Caitlin K.
Ingredients you need
- Chicken wings: I made 3 pounds of wings for this recipe, but you could easily do more or less, depending on what you need. You can use fresh or frozen wings. If using frozen, make sure to thaw them completely.
- Baking powder: This is the secret to crispy oven-baked wings, and trust me it works!
- Butter: You are going to love the brown butter flavor in these wings! It also helps the seasoning stick to the wings.
- Old Bay Seasoning: Old Bay is a unique seasoning blend marketed by McCormick and usually used in seafood and poultry dishes. The main ingredients are celery salt and paprika.
Step-by-step directions
1. Dust the wings: Place half of the wings in a heavy duty ziploc back and sprinkle with half of the baking powder. Shake vigorously to coat, then place the wings on the prepared rack. Repeat with the remaining wings and the remaining baking powder.
2. Bake at low temp: Set a baking rack over a rimmed baking sheet and lightly grease the rack. Arrange the wings in a single layer on the rack and bake in the lower third of the oven for 30 minutes.
3. Increase the temp: Increase the oven temperature to 425ºF and move the baking sheet to the upper third of oven. Continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, until crispy. You can flip them once if you like.
4. Brown the butter: In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the butter until it becomes a deep amber, 4 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully so it does not burn.
5. Season the wings: Transfer the wings to a bowl and pour the 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).
Tips for success
Make sure you pat the wings VERY dry before adding the baking powder. Otherwise it clumps up and doesn’t dust the wings lightly as it should.
Make sure to get aluminum free baking powder, as the kind with aluminum can leave a metallic taste on your wings. And make sure you are using baking POWDER, and not baking SODA.
Don’t add salt to this recipe, since both baking powder and Old Bay include salt. Also make sure that you go lightly on the Old Bay seasoning and add after you taste.
Air-fryer method: The baking powder trick is one of the best ways to get truly crispy oven-baked wings. However, you can also get really crispy, delicious wings in an air fryer. Simply toss the wings with baking powder, and air fry for 20 to 25 minutes. You can follow the same instructions I use for my Pickle Brined Chicken Wings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store any leftovers in an air tight container in the fridge for 3 or 4 days. You can re-heat them in a warm oven, although they will never be quite as crispy as when they are freshly cooked.
Baking powder is slightly alkaline and it raises the pH levels on the chicken’s skin, allowing the proteins to break down more easily. It also reacts with the natural juices in the skin to form carbon dioxide, creating little bubbles that harden and crisp as it bakes.
As long as they aren’t breaded or have some sort of sugary sauce, most wing recipes are low in carbs. This Old Bay Wings recipe is very keto-friendly and has only 2g of carbs per serving!
What to serve with Old Bay Wings
Old Bay Wings Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken wings
- 1 ½ tablespoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoon butter melted
- 3 to 4 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250ºF and place a baking rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Lightly grease the baking rack.
- Pat the wings very dry. Place half of the wings in a heavy duty ziploc back and sprinkle with half of the baking powder. Shake vigorously to coat, then place the wings on the prepared rack. Repeat with the remaining wings and the remaining baking powder.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer on the rack and bake in the lower third of the oven for 30 minutes.
- Increase the oven temperature to 425ºF and move the baking sheet to the upper third of oven. Continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, until crispy. You can flip them once if you like.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the butter until it becomes a deep amber, 4 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully so it does not burn.
- Transfer the wings to a bowl and pour the 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).
Rhona Barrie says
Can this recipe be used with fish? Would love to have a recipe for crispy baked fish? Thank you. Love all your fabulous recipes!
Carolyn says
I haven’t tried it. Not sure how delicate fish flesh would fare with the baking powder treatment.
Marcia Foster says
It will all work out. My eldest, maybe high school freshman age, disgusted that I wouldn’t get him hair dye, chose to use most of a restaurant-sized bottle of red food coloring. It came out of the hard surfaces of the bathroom pretty well, but his ears, eyebrows, creases in his arms and hands? It took weeks. Turns out that stuff is a lot more permanent than you might think. Today he’s a hospital administrator. His mother is still giggling.
The wings were excellent, btw.
Valencia says
These are indeed crack. I finally bought an air fryer, and this recipe was my machine’s maiden voyage. My husband and I could not. stop. eating. Amazing!
Joan Elkins says
Thanks for this and so many delicious recipes. It looks like it’s 5 years since you first told your story, how are your kids now?? It was Christmas Eve for me, I had to go get the two son’s gifts out of lay-away. Times were tough, I was a single parent. I came home to find my sliding glass door inside glass cracking, dropping bits of glass here and there and two sons sitting quiet and guilty….seems one threw a screwdriver at another, missed and hit the glass, wish I had taken a picture of the beautiful cracks spreading upward….It was so sad it was funny. I debated whether or not to give them their gifts the next day. They were and still are great kids, all grown with children of their own, but this was truly unforgettable….
Janine says
These wings are my family’s favorite! We eat them on repeat! ????
Bonny says
Super easy super yummy!
Melissa says
Hey Carolyn, How about an update to this recipe for the air fryer?!
Joelle says
hahahaha…..oh my gosh. Peed reading this. So true!! Parenting and “pour me another drink” go hand in hand!!
Love it……about to make these wings for dinner this eve, Look fabulous. Thanks!
Joelle
xo
kellie says
these sound incredible!!
Jennifer Farley says
I need these! I’m making them for dinner tonight!
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.
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.
Mary Arnold says
Yes, I’ve definitely learned that wings need unsalted butter, which I seldom buy. Every time that I think, “ oh it doesn’t matter.” I end up with too salty wings. What should have been enjoyable, is not!
Cara says
I am in Canada (Ontario) and I had no problem finding Old Bay with the spices at my usual grocery store.
Colleen o says
I buy old bay from my stores here in Ontario fortinos or real cdn.superstore and many others
Cookin Canuck says
Did someone say brown butter? These chicken wings look amazing!
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!
Jennifer Farley says
These are amazing wings! Such great flavors!
Brandie says
You had my at Old Bay. Delicious!!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I want a HUGE plate of these babies!
gerry speirs says
Yummmmm Old Bay!!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
Perfect for the game on Sunday! Love that brown butter!
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!