Can I make these wings less spicy?

Absolutely. While gochugaru is mildly spicy with a hint of sweetness, I recommend omitting the black pepper from the rub instead and reducing the amount of Jamaican curry powder for a milder heat while still preserving the flavor of the spice blend.

What does gochugaru taste like?

Unlike more traditional chili flakes such as Italian red pepper or cayenne, gochugaru has a smoky, slightly sweet flavor with moderate heat. It adds warmth and color without overpowering the dish.

Can I bake these instead of air frying?

You definitely can! An air-fryer is just a mini convection oven. If you're using the oven, bake the wings at 425°F on a wire rack for about 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisp and golden.

How do I store leftover wings?

I recommend storing leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How do I reheat air fryer wings?

Reheat the wings in the air fryer or oven at 375°F for 4–6 minutes until hot and crisp again. You can also reheat them on the stovetop in a pan over medium heat; just be sure to turn them over halfway through.

Can I prepare the wings ahead of time?

Yes! The wings can be seasoned several hours ahead or overnight to deepen the flavor of the spice rub.

Are these wings gluten-free?

They can be, depending on the brands of seasonings you use. Always check labels carefully if needed.

Gochugaru Chicken Wings with Honey Sesame Glaze

Description

Crispy air-fried chicken wings are seasoned with a gochugaru rub, then served with a sweet and spicy honey garlic sesame sauce for the perfect fusion-inspired dinner!

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs. chicken wings
Sesame oil, for drizzling
Parchment paper, for lining the air fryer trays

For the Rub:

1 tsp. Gochugaru (Korean Red Pepper Flakes)
1/2 tsp. Black pepper
1 tsp. Garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Jamaican Hot Curry Powder
1 tsp. Coriander
1 tsp. Dried oregano, crushed
1/2 tsp. Paprika
1 tsp. Sugar

For Sesame Sauce:

3-4 cloves of garlic, grilled and chopped
1 tsp. Gochugaru (Korean Red Pepper Flakes)
2 tsp. Sesame oil
2 tsp. Sesame seed, lightly toasted
4 tbs. Honey
1 tbs. Italian parsley, finely chopped
1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions

For The Sesame Sauce:

Place garlic cloves in a small, dry, cast-iron frying pan and let the skin of the garlic get golden and slightly charred.
Allow the garlic to cool before popping it out of its skin and chopping.
Place the sesame seeds in a small, dry, cast-iron frying pan and lightly toast the seeds. This will happen very quickly, so keep a careful watch. Remove from the pan immediately and transfer to a bowl to stop them from continuing to toast.
Combine all of the ingredients for the dipping sauce in a bowl and stir. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the Rub:

Combine the ingredients for the rub in a bowl and mix.
Place the chicken wings in the bowl and massage the rub into the chicken wings.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.

Air Frying the Wings:

Line the air-fryer baking sheets or basket with parchment paper.
Place the chicken wings on the baking sheet and drizzle with sesame oil. Do not over-crowd the pan.
Air fry at 400 degrees F° for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F°. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through the process.
Drizzle the chicken wings with the dipping sauce and serve!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Air Fry
Cuisine: Asian Caribbean