Unleash an explosion of bold, irresistible flavor at your next gathering or weeknight dinner with this incredibly easy recipe for General Tso Chicken Wings! Whether you prefer them baked to golden perfection in the oven or air-fried to an unmatched crispiness, these wings are generously coated in a sweet, tangy, and subtly spicy General Tso sauce that promises an unforgettable culinary experience.

Essential Ingredients for Masterful General Tso Wings

Crafting the perfect General Tso Chicken Wings starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here, we delve into the key components of this recipe, explaining their role and offering smart substitution options to ensure your wings are nothing short of spectacular. For precise measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card at the conclusion of this post.

• Chicken Wings: The foundation of our dish. For convenience and consistent results, we highly recommend purchasing “party wings,” which are pre-separated into drumettes and wingettes (or “flats”). If you start with whole chicken wings, simply use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to separate them at the joints, discarding the bony wing tips or saving them for a flavorful chicken stock. Patting the wings thoroughly dry before seasoning is crucial for achieving that coveted crispy skin, regardless of your chosen cooking method.
• Baking Powder: This is our secret weapon for achieving truly crispy chicken skin! A small amount of aluminum-free baking powder mixed into the spice rub works wonders. It raises the skin’s pH, causing it to crisp up beautifully in the heat. Do not confuse it with baking soda; they are chemically different and baking soda will not yield the same crispy results. If you don’t have baking powder, you can still proceed with the recipe, though the wings might be slightly less crisp.
• Aromatic Spices: Our spice rub is a carefully balanced blend that creates a delicious base flavor for the chicken. It includes:
  • Salt & Black Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that enhance all other flavors.
  • Garlic Powder: Provides a pungent, savory depth that complements the General Tso sauce.
  • Five Spice Powder: A traditional Chinese blend, typically containing star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds. It imparts a unique aromatic complexity. If you don’t have five spice powder, a good substitute can be created by mixing 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon with 1 teaspoon allspice.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a subtle hint of heat directly to the chicken, building a layered spice profile.
• Homemade General Tso Sauce: This is the undeniable star, transforming ordinary wings into an extraordinary culinary experience. Our scrumptious homemade sauce is what makes these wings shine with authentic, vibrant flavor. It’s a harmonious blend of:
  • Soy Sauce: Provides the essential umami and salty base. Opt for low-sodium if preferred.
  • Rice Vinegar: Adds a crucial tangy counterpoint to the sweetness.
  • Vegetable Oil: Creates a smooth texture and helps carry flavors. Canola oil is a suitable alternative.
  • Fresh Garlic & Ginger: These aromatics are indispensable, offering a fresh, pungent, and warm undertone that defines Chinese cuisine. Use freshly crushed garlic and grated ginger for the best flavor.
  • Chinese Five Spice: A small amount is added directly to the sauce for an extra layer of traditional aromatic complexity.
  • Sriracha & Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: These bring the heat, allowing you to customize the spice level to your preference. Start with the recommended amount and adjust for more or less kick.
  • Honey: The natural sweetener that balances the savory and spicy elements, creating that signature sticky-sweet glaze.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect General Tso Wings

Preparing these General Tso Chicken Wings is straightforward, and we’ve included detailed steps below, complete with illustrative photos, to guide you effortlessly through the process. For the complete, printable recipe instructions and precise measurements, scroll down to the dedicated recipe card at the bottom of this page.

1. Prepare and Season the Wings: Begin by patting your chicken wings absolutely dry with paper towels. This crucial step ensures maximum crispiness. In a large mixing bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, five spice powder, red pepper flakes, and the secret ingredient – baking powder. Add the dried chicken wings to this spice mixture and toss thoroughly until each wing is evenly coated.
2. Cook the Wings to Perfection: Choose your preferred cooking method for crispy, tender wings.
   • Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the seasoned wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch to allow for even crisping. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip them over and continue air frying for another 8 minutes, or until deeply golden and crispy. For standard 5.8-quart air fryers, you’ll typically need to cook in batches of about 1 pound of wings.
   • Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C), ideally with convection if available. Place the seasoned wings on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, then flip each wing and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispness.
   • Grill Method: Preheat your grill to a medium heat, around 350°F (175°C). Arrange the seasoned wings in an even layer on the hot grill grates, ensuring they don’t touch. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is beautifully charred and crisp.

   Refer to the recipe card for more specific timing for each method.

3. Prepare the Irresistible General Tso Sauce: While your wings are cooking, whisk together all the ingredients for the General Tso sauce in a small bowl. This includes soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, vegetable oil, sriracha, fresh crushed garlic, grated fresh ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Set aside.
4. Glaze the Cooked Wings: Once the wings are nearly finished cooking and have achieved their desired crispness, transfer the whisked sauce into a wok or a large skillet. Place it over high heat on the stove and bring the sauce to a rapid boil. Reduce the heat slightly and add the hot, cooked chicken wings to the simmering sauce. Toss vigorously with tongs until every single wing is thoroughly coated in the luscious, sticky sauce.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Use tongs to transfer the glazed General Tso wings from the wok to a serving platter. For an added burst of freshness and visual appeal, garnish generously with freshly diced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately and prepare for rave reviews!

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General Tso’s Wings

Bring bold flavor to game day or dinner with these General Tso Chicken Wings! Baked or air-fried until crispy, then tossed in a sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce, they’re irresistibly delicious.

Servings:
18 wings

Prep Time:
10 mins

Cook Time:
18 mins

Total Time:
28 mins

Author:
Whitney Bond

Course:
Appetizer, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine:
Chinese

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons five spice powder
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 pounds chicken wings, party wings – separated drums and flats

General Tso’s Sauce

• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, or canola oil
• 1 tablespoon sriracha
• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon chinese five spice

Instructions

1. Preheat an air fryer to 400°F (200°C). (For oven or grill instructions, refer to the notes section below or the detailed instructions above.)
2. In a large bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, five spice powder, red pepper flakes, and baking powder. Add the wings to the bowl and toss until coated.
3. Place wings in a single layer (not touching) in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. Flip the wings and air fry for another 8 minutes at 400°F (200°C). If you’re using a standard 5.8 Quart Air Fryer, it will typically fit only 1 pound of wings per batch, so you’ll likely need to cook in two batches.
4. While the wings are cooking, whisk all of the ingredients for the sauce together in a small bowl.
5. Once the wings are almost done cooking, pour the sauce into a wok or large skillet on the stove over high heat and bring the sauce to a boil.
6. Add the cooked chicken wings to the sauce and toss until they’re completely coated. Use tongs to transfer the wings to a plate. Garnish with diced green onions and sesame seeds (optional). Serve immediately.

Notes

• To cook the wings in the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C, preferably convection). Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven. Place the seasoned wings on a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet. Place on the middle rack in the oven and cook for 20 minutes, flip and cook for an additional 20 minutes.
• To cook the wings on the grill: Preheat a grill over medium heat, around 350°F (175°C). Once the grill is hot, place the seasoned wings on the grill in an even layer (not touching) for 6-7 minutes. Flip the wings and continue cooking for an additional 6-7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Since the air fryer will only cook about 1 pound of wings at a time, if you’re doubling this recipe for a party and want to make 4 pounds of wings, I recommend using the oven or grill, as you can cook all of them at the same time for greater efficiency.
• Always make sure to pat the wings completely dry before seasoning them. No matter the cooking method, this crucial step will significantly help the skin on the chicken wings get super crispy.
• These wings are fairly spicy (I’d rate them around a 7/10). If you prefer more or less spice, feel free to adjust the amount of sriracha and crushed red pepper flakes used in the sauce to your liking.
• To make the wings gluten-free, simply replace regular soy sauce with a certified gluten-free soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 75kcal (4%)
Carbohydrates 3g (1%)
Protein 6g (12%)
Fat 4g (6%)
Saturated Fat 1g (5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Trans Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 21mg (7%)
Sodium 482mg (20%)
Potassium 140mg (4%)
Fiber 0.3g (1%)
Sugar 2g (2%)
Vitamin A 110mg (2%)
Vitamin C 1mg (1%)
Calcium 40mg (4%)
Iron 1mg (6%)

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