When cooking chicken wings in the oven, one of the most common questions is: how long should they cook for? The answer depends on a variety of factors, including whether the wings are fresh or frozen, how large they are, and what temperature you’re cooking them at. Finding the right cooking time ensures the wings come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Fresh vs. Frozen Wings
If you’re starting with fresh, raw chicken wings they will take less time to cook than frozen wings. Fresh wings only need to be cooked long enough to reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Frozen wings, on the other hand, need extra cooking time to thaw completely and come up to the proper temperature.
Fresh Wings
For fresh, raw chicken wings plan on cooking them for 25-40 minutes depending on size. Smaller wings may take only 25-30 minutes while larger jumbo wings may need closer to 40 minutes. The cooking time will also vary based on your oven temperature (see below).
Frozen Wings
Frozen wings typically require 45-60 minutes in the oven. You’ll want to add at least 20 extra minutes to the cook time to allow for thorough thawing. Check that the juices run clear and the wings reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Wing Size
The size of chicken wings will impact the baking time. Larger wings will naturally take longer to cook through than smaller wings.
Small Chicken Wings
Small chicken wings are ideal if you’re looking for a shorter cook time. These petite wings may only need 25-30 minutes in the oven. Be sure to check that the meat reaches 165°F.
Medium Chicken Wings
Medium sized chicken wings are standard. Allow 30-40 minutes for medium wings to bake until crispy and cooked through. These offer a good meat-to-bone ratio.
Large Chicken Wings
Jumbo or extra large chicken wings will need a bit more time in the oven. Plan on baking large wings for 35-45 minutes. The thicker meat will take longer to reach the safe internal temperature.
Oven Temperature
The temperature of your oven, and whether you cook at a higher or lower temp, impacts total cook time.
High Heat – Above 400°F
Cooking at a high temperature above 400°F will yield crispy skin faster. Wings cooked at 450°F may only need 25-30 minutes. The high heat crisps the outside quickly.
Moderate Heat – 350-375°F
A more moderate oven temp of 350-375°F will work well for baking wings. Expect cook times around 30-40 minutes. Moderate heat cooks the meat through without burning the outside.
Low Heat – Below 325°F
While baking at a lower oven temp is possible, it will increase cook times. Aim for 40-50 minutes for wings cooked between 300-325°F. The benefit is very tender and juicy meat.
Tips for Crispy Wings
Besides cook time, there are a few other tips to ensure crispy oven-baked wings:
– Pat the wings dry before seasoning or baking to remove excess moisture
– Use a wire rack lined with foil or a baking sheet to allow airflow all around
– Sprinkle baking powder (about 1 tsp per pound of wings) to dry out the skin
– Coat wings in cornstarch for extra crispy skin
– Crank up the heat at the end for 5-10 minutes to crisp the skin
Sample Oven Wing Recipes
To give a better idea of cook times, here are some sample oven-baked wing recipes:
Basic Baked Chicken Wings
| Prep Time | 10 mins |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 35 mins |
| Total Time | 45 mins |
| Servings | 4-6 |
Bake 3 lbs fresh chicken wings at 400°F for 35-40 minutes, until crispy and cooked through. Toss wings in 1 Tbsp baking powder, oil, and desired seasonings beforehand.
Crispy Buffalo Wings
| Prep Time | 10 mins |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 50 mins |
| Total Time | 1 hour |
| Servings | 4-6 |
Bake 2 lbs frozen wings at 375°F for 50 minutes. Toss with buffalo wing sauce and serve with blue cheese dressing.
Honey Sriracha Baked Wings
| Prep Time | 5 mins |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 25 mins |
| Total Time | 30 mins |
| Servings | 4 |
Toss 1.5 lbs fresh wings in honey sriracha sauce. Bake at 450°F for 25-30 minutes until caramelized and cooked through.
Conclusion
The ideal oven bake time for chicken wings can vary from 25 minutes for small fresh wings cooked at high heat up to 60 minutes for large frozen wings cooked at lower temperatures. For average sized wings at a standard oven temp, plan on baking for 30-40 minutes. Always check internal temperature and adjust time as needed. Crispy, juicy oven-baked wings are easy to make with the right timing and temperature.