Brown Sugar Cajun Wings Recipe
Brown Sugar Cajun Wings are a perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors, featuring crispy baked chicken wings coated in a caramelized brown sugar and robust Cajun seasoning mix. These wings deliver a mouthwatering combination of smoky heat and sticky sweetness, making them an ideal appetizer or game day snack. Easy to prepare and versatile, they can be baked or air-fried to crispy perfection and paired with a variety of sides and dips.
- Author: Lena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approx. 4-5 wings per serving) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking (with optional broiling), Air Frying
- Cuisine: American, Cajun
- Diet: Halal
Chicken Wings
- 2 lbs chicken wings (drumettes & flats)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Dry Rub
- ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
Optional Extras
- Cayenne pepper (for added heat)
- Smoked paprika (for extra depth)
- Green onions or parsley for garnish
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the wings.
- Dry the Wings: Pat the chicken wings thoroughly with paper towels to remove moisture, ensuring crispiness during baking.
- Prepare Dry Rub: In a large mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create an even spice blend.
- Coat Wings with Oil: Drizzle olive oil over the wings in a large bowl and toss to coat evenly, which helps the spices adhere properly.
- Apply Seasoning: Sprinkle the dry rub mixture over the wings and toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is evenly coated with the sweet-spicy mixture.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Spread wings in a single layer, preferably on a wire rack to allow air circulation for extra crispiness.
- Bake Wings: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
- Broil for Crispiness: For an extra crispy finish, switch the oven to broil and heat the wings for an additional 2–3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning due to the sugar content.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove wings from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Pat wings dry thoroughly before seasoning to ensure crisp skin.
- Toss wings evenly with oil before applying the dry rub for better spice adhesion.
- Using a wire rack during baking helps air circulate for crisper results.
- Broil briefly at the end for caramelized, crispy wings—watch closely to avoid burning.
- Marinate wings with seasoning for 1 hour or overnight to deepen flavor.
- Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Store leftover wings in an airtight container refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 2 months.
- Reheat wings in oven, air fryer, or pan to maintain crispiness; avoid microwave reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 wings (approx. 150g)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Brown Sugar Cajun Wings, Cajun Chicken Wings, Sweet and Spicy Wings, Baked Chicken Wings, Game Day Wings, Crispy Chicken Wings, Cajun Seasoning Chicken