Sticky, spicy, crispy, and roasted to golden perfection—these wings will ruin all other wings for you, in the best way possible.
If there’s one thing I’ll unapologetically brag about—it’s wings. Not drumettes (respectfully, no), but actual wings. The kind that require a bit more work to eat but reward you tenfold in crispy, juicy goodness. And when they’re coated in a spicy-sweet habanero glaze that clings to every crevice? Game over.
These Sweet and Spicy Habanero Wings are the real deal. Oven-roasted for a crispy finish, they skip the deep-fry guilt while still bringing the flavor punch of your favorite bar wings. The secret ingredient? Habanero pepper jelly. It might sound intense, but when it melts down with a little butter and hot sauce, it becomes the kind of sauce you’ll want to put on everything.
And yes, technically they’re roasted. So we can go ahead and call them kind of healthy, right?
Why this Recipe Works
• Oven-roasted goodness: All the crispy texture, none of the fryer mess.
• Hot pepper jelly magic: A sweet heat that’s perfectly balanced.
• Drizzle-ready glaze: Coats every wing like it was meant to be.
• Wing night = upgraded: No one’s missing takeout tonight.
Tips for Making Sweet and Spicy Habanero Wings
• Use a heavy-duty foil to keep cleanup easy and your pan safe from burned-on sauce.
• Flip halfway through roasting to make sure both sides get crispy.
• Toss while hot—the glaze clings best to hot wings straight out of the oven.
• Grind your fennel fresh for the most aromatic flavor.
• Serve immediately with sliced green onions for color and bite.
🌱 A Bite of Sustainability
Roasting instead of frying reduces oil usage and cuts down on kitchen waste—no need for gallons of peanut oil or greasy paper towels. Using locally sourced chicken and pepper jelly not only supports small producers but also keeps your ingredient list fresher and more flavorful. Plus, this oven-baked method is a lot less energy-intensive than deep frying, making it a win for both your dinner table and the planet.
How To Make Sweet and Spicy Habanero Wings
These Sweet and Spicy Habanero Wings are oven-roasted, crispy, and coated in a fiery pepper jelly glaze. Perfect for game day, parties, or serious wing lovers.
Preheat & Prep
Preheat the oven to 475°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty foil and spray with cooking spray.
Season the Wings
Grind fennel seeds in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. In a large bowl, whisk together the fennel, flour, salt, garlic, cumin, and black pepper. Add chicken and toss until coated.
Roast
Arrange chicken, skin side down, in a single layer on the prepared pan. Lightly spray with cooking spray. Roast for 15 minutes. Flip the wings and roast for another 15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Glaze the Wings
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, pepper jelly, and Cajun hot sauce. Toss the hot wings into the mixture, coating thoroughly.
Garnish & Serve
Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Wings Worth The Hype
Whether you’re cooking for game day, date night, or just yourself on a random Tuesday, these wings hit every craving note. They’re fiery, a little sweet, and totally addictive. Just be warned: once you’ve made them, you’ll be asked to bring them everywhere.
So, wing or drumette? Let’s settle this in the comments.
These Sweet and Spicy Habanero Wings are oven-roasted, crispy, and coated in a fiery pepper jelly glaze. Perfect for game day, parties, or serious wing lovers.
Ingredients
1tsp fennel seeds
2tbs all-purpose flour
1tsp salt
1/2tsp granulated garlic
1/2tsp ground cumin
1/4tsp ground black pepper
2llbs chicken wingettes and drumettes
1/4cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4cup hot pepper jelly, melted
2tbs Cajun hot sauce
sliced green onions, for garnish
How To Make Sweet and Spicy Habanero Wings
1
Preheat the oven to 475°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty foil, and spray with cooking spray.
Grind fennel seeds in a mortar and pestle or electric spice grinder. In a large bowl, whisk together fennel, flour, salt, garlic, cumin, and pepper. Add chicken, tossing to coat. Arrange chicken, skin side down, in a single layer on prepared pan. Lightly spray with cooking spray.
Roast for 15 minutes. Turn wings, and roast until browned and crispy, about 15 minutes more.
2
In a large bowl, combine melted butter, melted pepper jelly, and hot sauce. Add hot chicken wings, tossing well to coat. Place chicken in a serving bowl. Garnish with green onions, if desired.
Nutritional Value
Servings 4
Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving
Calories448kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat30g47%
Saturated Fat12g60%
Cholesterol138mg46%
Sodium670mg28%
Potassium285mg9%
Total Carbohydrate9g3%
Dietary Fiber0.6g3%
Sugars6g
Protein36g72%
Vitamin A 400 IU
Vitamin C 4 mg
Calcium 25 mg
Iron 1.3 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.