1. **Prepare the Wings:**
– Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
– Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This helps them become crispy.
– In a large bowl, toss the wings with vegetable oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika if using.
2. **Bake the Wings:**
– Arrange the wings in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased rack set over a baking sheet.
– Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the wings are crispy and golden brown, flipping them halfway through for even cooking.
3. **Prepare the Glaze:**
– While the wings are baking, prepare the glaze. In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, and rice vinegar.
– Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
– Once it begins to simmer, stir in the cornstarch-water mixture to thicken the glaze. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
– Remove from heat.
4. **Coat the Wings:**
– Once the wings are baked, transfer them to a large bowl.
– Pour the sticky glaze over the wings and toss until they are evenly coated.
5. **Serve:**
– Transfer the glazed wings to a serving platter.
– Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.
6. **Optional Final Step:**
– For an extra sticky and caramelized finish, you can briefly broil the glazed wings on high for 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
**Tips:**
– **Crispier Wings:** For even crispier wings, consider using a wire rack on the baking sheet to allow air circulation around the wings.
– **Make Ahead:** You can prepare the glaze in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat before using.
– **Serving Suggestions:** These wings are perfect on their own or with a side of celery sticks and ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
This recipe is sure to be a hit, as the combination of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and aromatic garlic creates a mouthwatering glaze that makes these wings hard to resist. Enjoy!
