As you can probably tell from the background of some of my pictures....I like spices!!! I love to play with my spices and put different ones together to see what I come up with. This one is great on these wings!! It has some heat but also the earthy flavors from the sage and.......the brown sugar....makes it all a bit sweeter. Sometimes you get tired of thick sauces on your wings and dry rubs are a great change!! Soaking the wings in buttermilk first also gives them that bit of a tangy flavor that goes so well with these spices and also keeps them so moist and plump!!
I tend to make a ton of these because they go fast in my family. You can store this spice blend in a zip lock or a glass jar for next time if you do not use it all. Or go ahead and make double....try it on some ribs next!!
SWEET HEAT CHICKEN WINGS
4 pkgs chicken wingettes
FOR THE PRE SOAK 1/2 cup flour 3 tblsp hot sauce 3 cups buttermilk
FOR THE DRY RUB 1 cup brown sugar 2 tsp kosher salt 1-1/2 tsp black pepper 2 Tblsp garlic powder 2 Tblsp onion powder 2 Tblsp chili powder 1 Tblsp smoked paprika 1 Tblsp sweet paprika 2 tsp sage 1 tsp cumin
Place the wings In a big bowl.....add the flour, hot sauce and buttermilk. Mix it up well and let them soak for about 2 to 3 hours in the refrigerator. Take them out and let them sit on your counter for about 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Place a wire rack inside of a cookie sheet. Place the wings on the rack in one layer. This will help them cook evenly all around.
Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let them hang out till they are cool enough to handle and dried out a bit so the rub will stick but not turn to liquid. Drain juices from pan.
While they are cooling you can mix up all the ingredients for the dry rub. Just put them all in a bowl and stir together!!
When the wings are cool and somewhat dried out but still moist throw them all back into a big bowl. Toss to completely coat with the spice blend. Then lay back in a single layer on the wire rack.
Put the back in the oven for an additional 30 minutes. I love mine really crispy so sometimes I put it on broil for the last 5 minutes but just watch them and take them out as you like them.
These wings are amazing!!! Make a lot, you will need them, Serve with your favorite sauce...Ranch, Blue Cheese...etc!! ENJOY!!!!