These crispy air-fryer chicken wings are coated in a Korean-Caribbean-inspired spice rub made with gochugaru and Jamaican curry, then tossed in a sweet-and-spicy honey-garlic sesame sauce.
This dish brings together a medley of flavors inspired by both Korean and Caribbean kitchens. Smoky paprika, earthy coriander, fiery gochugaru, and Jamaican hot curry create a deeply aromatic rub with just enough sweetness to balance the heat. Once crisped in the air fryer, the wings are tossed in a glossy sauce of honey, garlic, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds for a finish that is equal parts sweet, savory, and spicy.
This is fusion food at its finest. So, grab your aprons and keep scrolling for the full video tutorial and printable recipe card!
Why You'll Love Today's Recipe
Taste and Texture
This recipe can be made in the oven (on convection setting) or air fryer to achieve that crispy exterior without conventional frying.
The Caribbean rub offers warmth against the Korean-inspired flavors of the dry rub. Then, for extra depth, the sweet and spicy honey sesame sauce brings this dish to life.
Difficulty Level
This recipe comes together in under an hour, making it approachable for both novice homecooks and veteran chefs alike.
Best of all, it's great for meal prepping since it can be made a day ahead. It also reheats well, perfect for leftovers!
Ingredient Checklist
- Chicken Wings: You can always use drumsticks, thighs, or tenders for this recipe.
- Cooking oil: Use a neutral cooking oil to drizzle over the wings before air-frying them. Alternatively, you can also use sesame oil for added flavor.
For the Dry Rub
- Gochugaru (Korean Red Pepper Flakes): Unlike other types of red pepper flakes, gochugaru is moderately spicy with a subtle smoky, slightly sweet taste to it.
- Black Pepper: For added heat, I like fresh cracked black pepper. Adjust to your heat tolerance. If you prefer to keep the dish mild, omit the black pepper.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder isn't as pungent as fresh garlic. It's milder but better suited for spice rubs than fresh garlic. I also recommend garlic powder over garlic salt because it's 100% pure dried garlic and allows you total control of the sodium in the dish.
- Jamaican Hot Curry: This is where things start getting a little unexpected. I love playing with different flavor profiles, and I've always loved creating my own spice mixes and dry rubs. Jamaican hot curry offers a spicy, yet earthy balance, which I think plays deliciously into the bold flavors here.
- Coriander: A warm, citrusy note offers balance and warmth.
- Paprika: This warm spice adds a little smokiness without overpowering. Again, these spices have similar background notes that just work seamlessly together.
- Dried Oregano: A little more robust than other spices, a little goes a long way, but ties everything together.
- Sugar: With all the warm spices and smoky flavors, a pinch of sugar helps to cut through it and mellow things out.
For the Sauce
- Grilled garlic: For the sauce, we want the flavors to be bolder. For that reason, we're grilling up the garlic cloves to release their natural juices so it stands out in this sauce.
- Honey: Slightly sweeter than granulated sugar but with more flavor depth.
- Gochugaru (Korean Red Pepper Flakes): Gochugaru is really the star of today's recipe, and since it's on the mild side, we're using it in both the rub and the sauce.
- Sesame oil: Sesame oil has a distinct nutty flavor that makes it delicious for cooking, drizzling, and making sauces.
- Sesame seeds: For added nuttiness, give the seeds a quick toast beforehand.
- Parsley: With all the different flavors, it's nice to add something fresh and earthy like parsley. You can use cilantro, but I enjoy the subtlety behind parsley more. You can also use fresh scallions as well.
- Salt: Just a pinch to bring all the flavors together.
Equipment
- Parchment paper: Minimize cleanup with parchment paper. Furthermore, it helps keep the inside of the air fryer cleaner.
Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Wings
- Pat the Wings Dry: Removing excess moisture is the secret to achieving crisp skin in the air fryer.
- Prep Early: Refrigerate the seasoned wings uncovered for 1-2 hours before air frying.
- Don't Overcrowd the Basket: Arrange the wings in a single layer with space between them so the hot air can circulate properly.
- Flip Halfway Through Cooking: Turning the wings ensures even browning and crispness on all sides.
- Sauce After Cooking: For the crispiest results, toss the wings in the sauce after air frying rather than before.
Serving Suggestions
For gatherings, arrange them on a large platter with extra sesame seeds, sliced scallions, and lime wedges for brightness.
- Pickled cucumbers or a crisp cucumber salad
- Kimchi Slaw
- Spiced Red Chili Rice
- Corn Salad
- Fresh Peach Iced Tea
- Chilled lager
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
I recommend storing leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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.
Yes! The wings can be seasoned several hours ahead or overnight to deepen the flavor of the spice rub.
They can be, depending on the brands of seasonings you use. Always check labels carefully if needed.
Gochugaru Chicken Wings with Honey Sesame Glaze
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!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Inactive Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: Asian Caribbean
Ingredients
- 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!
And that's our easy recipe for Gochugaru Chicken Wings with Honey Sesame Glaze. If you enjoyed today's recipe or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you!
Happy Cooking!
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