KFC Honey BBQ Wings (Copycat)

These KFC Honey BBQ Wings copycat are all about the double-breading and that sticky, smoky sauce. The wings get a crisp, craggy crust from being dipped in flour, buttermilk, and flour again, then fried until golden. After a quick dip in a sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce, they go into the oven for 10 minutes so the sauce caramelizes and clings to every nook. If you're looking for a buffalo wings alternative, these are sweet and smoky instead of spicy. The first time I made these, my husband ate six before I could even put the rest on the table.

Three Reasons to Try These Copycat KFC Wings

• The double-breading gives a shatteringly crisp crust that holds up to the sticky sauce.
• The sauce is sweet and smoky with no heat, so it's great for kids and anyone who prefers mild wings.
• Baking after saucing caramelizes the sauce and makes it cling to every bite, so you get flavor in every mouthful.

Key Ingredients for These Copycat KFC Wings

• Hickory smoke BBQ sauce: This is the backbone of the sauce. Use a thick, smoky variety like Heinz. It provides the deep, wood-smoke flavor that makes these wings taste like the original.
• Buttermilk: The tangy buttermilk helps the flour stick and adds a subtle tang that balances the sweet sauce. If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to a cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
• Liquid smoke: A little goes a long way. It intensifies the smoky flavor without adding heat. Use a good quality brand and measure carefully.

Kitchen Tools for Making Honey BBQ Wings

• Deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pan (for even heat)
• Deep-fry thermometer (to maintain 375°F)
• Baking sheet (for the final bake)
• Small saucepan (for the sauce)
• Wire rack (optional, for cooling and reheating)

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Honey BBQ Wings

• Keep the oil at a steady 375°F. If it drops, the breading will absorb oil and turn greasy.
• Fry in small batches so the oil temperature doesn't drop. Overcrowding also makes the wings steam instead of crisp.
• Let the sauce cool slightly before dipping the wings. A hot sauce will slide off the breading.
• Use a thermometer to check the oil temperature, not just the dial on the fryer.

Expert Tips for the Best KFC Wings Recipe

• The double-breading works because the first flour layer gives the buttermilk something to grip, and the second flour layer creates a craggy surface that crisps up beautifully.
• The 20-minute simmer for the sauce is important because it lets the flavors meld and the sauce thicken enough to coat the wings without being runny.
• For extra crispiness, let the breaded wings rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes before frying. This helps the coating set.

Honey BBQ Wings Variations to Try

• Spicy version: add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the honey BBQ sauce.
• Oven-baked instead of fried: coat the wings as directed, then bake at 400°F until golden and cooked through, then sauce and bake for 10 minutes as written.
• Use a different BBQ sauce: swap the hickory smoke for a spicy or bourbon-flavored sauce.
• Make it dairy-free: use a plant-based buttermilk substitute (like almond milk with a splash of vinegar) in place of the buttermilk.

What to Serve with Honey BBQ Wings

These wings are a great easy appetizer for any gathering. Here are some ways to serve them.

Toppings and Dips

• Ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping
• Chopped green onions or sesame seeds for garnish

Side Dishes

• Coleslaw for a cool, crunchy contrast
• Potato wedges or cornbread to soak up extra sauce

How to Store Leftover Honey BBQ Wings

Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce will soften the breading a bit, but they'll still taste great. To keep them as crisp as possible, place a paper towel in the container to absorb excess moisture.

Can You Freeze These Honey BBQ Wings?

You can freeze the fried wings before saucing them. Let them cool completely, then arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months. When you're ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge, then reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until hot and crispy. Make the sauce fresh and toss the wings in it after reheating.

Best Way to Reheat Honey BBQ Wings

The best way to reheat these wings is in the oven. Place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet and warm them at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. This restores the crispness without drying out the meat. The microwave will make the breading soggy, so avoid it if you can.

Source recipe: KFC Honey BBQ Wings (Copycat) (SnapChef ID dd932b40-929a-438d-ad0b-e5f589805d43). Nutrition is estimated per serving.

Recipe

KFC Honey BBQ Wings (Copycat)

★★★★★ 4.8/5 (10 ratings)

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Prep

15 min

Cook

1 h

Total

1 h 15 min

Servings

4 servings

Cuisine

American

1x2x3x

4 servings

US Metric

Copy list

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken wings
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 cup buttermilk
• vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup hickory smoke BBQ sauce (Heinz)
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Cut the chicken wings to separate the drumette and wingette by cutting through the joint section between the two parts.
3. Heat the oil in a deep fryer or a large, heavy bottom pan to 375°F.
4. Mix flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl and set aside.
5. Place buttermilk in a separate bowl.
6. Dip chicken wing pieces in flour then in buttermilk and then again in flour.
7. Place the breaded wings in the hot oil; the temperature of the oil should be 375. Do this in batches so you never overcrowd chicken. Fry until lightly golden brown. This should take about 15 minutes.
8. Place hickory smoke BBQ sauce, water, honey, ketchup, and liquid smoke in a small saucepan, mix thoroughly, and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
9. Let the sauce cool slightly, then dip one fried wing in the sauce at a time, and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
10. Bake the BBQ coated wings for 10 minutes. This will give the sauce a chance to caramelize and thicken.

Notes

• These wings are a great easy appetizer for any gathering. Here are some ways to serve them. Toppings and Dips Ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping Chopped green onions or sesame seeds for garnish Side Dishes Coleslaw for a cool, crunchy contrast Potato wedges or cornbread to
• Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce will soften the breading a bit, but they'll still taste great. To keep them as crisp as possible, place a paper towel in the container to absorb excess moisture.

Nutrition per serving, estimated

Calories	875 kcal	44% DV
Protein	34 g	68% DV
Fat	33 g	42% DV
Carbs	108 g	39% DV
Fiber	3 g	11% DV
Sugar	36 g	—
Sodium	1510 mg	0% DV

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Values are estimates.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a different BBQ sauce?

Yes, any thick, smoky BBQ sauce will work. The hickory smoke flavor is key, but you can use your favorite brand. Just keep the honey and ketchup to balance the sweetness.

Why do I need to bake the wings after saucing?

The 10-minute bake caramelizes the sauce, making it sticky and thick. It also helps the sauce set so it doesn't slide off the wings. Without this step, the sauce would be too runny.

How do I know when the oil is at 375°F?

Use a deep-fry thermometer. If you don't have one, drop a small piece of bread into the oil; it should sizzle and turn golden brown in about 60 seconds. But a thermometer is more accurate.

Can I make these in an air fryer?

Yes, you can air fry the breaded wings at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy. Then sauce and bake in the oven for 10 minutes, or air fry for 2-3 more minutes. But the texture may differ slightly from deep-frying.