Slow-Cooked Hot Wings: A Crock-Pot Sensation

How to Make Hot Wings in the Crock Pot

Making hot wings in a crock pot is a great way to avoid the mess and oil of deep frying, while still creating the perfect game day snack. Using a slow cooker means you can make delicious, tender, fall-off-the-bone wings that are loaded with flavour.

Choosing the right chicken wings

When making hot wings in a crock pot, it's important to choose the right chicken wings to ensure the best results. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect wings for your recipe:

Type of Wings

When selecting chicken wings, you can choose between whole wings or separated wing pieces. Whole wings consist of three parts: the drumette, the wingette (or flat), and the tip. You can purchase whole wings and separate them yourself using a chef's knife, or look for "party wings" or "wing sections" that come already separated.

Size and Quality

Look for chicken wings that are graded as "5 to 7 count wings," which means you'll get 5 to 7 wings per pound. This size typically offers a good amount of meat. Additionally, opt for free-range organic chicken that is free of hormones or antibiotics to ensure the best quality.

Fresh or Frozen

While you can use either fresh or frozen chicken wings for your crock pot recipe, it's important to note that frozen wings may release more liquid during cooking, which can water down your sauce. If you choose to use frozen wings, consider thawing them first or cooking them a little longer to ensure they are cooked through.

Amount

When planning your crock pot hot wings, consider the number of guests you'll be serving and the expected appetite. As a guide, a typical serving size for chicken wings is around 4 to 6 wings per person. However, if wings are the main attraction or your guests are particularly hungry, you may want to allow for more.

Preparation

Before adding the wings to the crock pot, it's essential to pat them dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture will help ensure that the wings cook evenly and develop a crispy texture.

By following these tips and choosing the right chicken wings, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious crock pot hot wings that your guests will devour!

Preparing the sauce

Ingredients

• Hot sauce (e.g. Frank's RedHot®)
• Butter
• Worcestershire sauce
• Oregano
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Honey (optional)
• Brown sugar (optional)

Method

Start by combining your sauce ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. You can also melt the butter first and then whisk in the other ingredients.

If you want to make your own hot sauce, simply combine 2 parts hot sauce to 1 part melted butter.

For a honey buffalo sauce, add 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of molasses to your sauce mixture.

For a sweeter sauce, add 1/4 cup of brown sugar.

Notes

• The sauce will thin out as the chicken cooks, so it's a good idea to brush the wings with reserved sauce at the end, which will be nice and thick.
• If you're using frozen wings, the sauce will be more watery, so it's best to thaw the wings before cooking.
• Don't cook the chicken for too long, or it will begin to fall apart in the sauce.

Cooking methods

There are a few different ways to cook hot wings in a crock pot, but all of them involve slow cooking the wings and then crisping them up afterwards.

One method is to cook the wings on high for 2.5-3 hours or on low for 3-4 hours. You can also cook them on high for 1 hour and then on low for another hour. After slow cooking, place the wings on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven at 400 degrees F for about 30 minutes, or until they are crisp and browned.

Another method is to cook the wings on high for 2 hours or on low for 3-4 hours. Then, preheat the oven to a low broil at 450 degrees. Place the wings on a foil-lined baking sheet, brush with sauce, and cook for 5 minutes or until the tops begin to brown. Remove from the oven, brush with more sauce, and broil for another 5 minutes or until crisped and slightly browned.

If you're short on time, you can cook the wings on high for 3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours. Then, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and bake the wings for 3-5 minutes. Remove from the oven, brush with sauce, and bake for another 3-5 minutes or until crispy.

You can also use an air fryer to crisp up your wings. Place the wings in the air fryer basket, brush with sauce, and air fry at 400 degrees F for 3-5 minutes. Remove, brush with more sauce, and air fry for another 3-5 minutes or until crispy.

No matter which cooking method you choose, always make sure your wings are cooked through and have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Serving suggestions

Dips

Hot wings are traditionally served with a dip to add flavour or to cool your mouth from the spice. Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing is a popular choice, as is blue cheese dressing. You could also serve with both, as people have different preferences.

Vegetables

Carrot and celery sticks are the classic side to hot wings. You could also serve with green onion garnish.

Drinks

If serving hot wings as a game-day snack, beer is a good drink option.

Other Foods

If you want to serve something more substantial, you could make hot wings part of a nacho bar. Alternatively, you could make a full dinner by serving the wings with whole chicken drumsticks.

Storing and reheating

Storing:

After cooking your hot wings, it is important to let them cool down to room temperature. Place the wings on a cooling rack or a plate to allow air to circulate and cool them evenly. It is important not to leave food out at room temperature for more than two hours, so aim to store the wings in an airtight container in the fridge within this time frame. Consume the wings within 3-4 days for the best quality and taste.

Reheating:

When it comes to reheating your crockpot hot wings, there are a few recommended methods to ensure food safety. Firstly, it is advised not to use a slow cooker to reheat your wings, as it may not reach a high enough temperature to kill bacteria. Instead, opt for reheating on a stovetop, in a conventional oven, or a microwave.

For stovetop reheating, place the wings in a pan over medium heat and cook until they are heated through, this usually takes around 10-15 minutes. If using an oven, preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the wings for a similar duration. For microwave reheating, place a damp paper towel over the wings and reheat in short intervals, flipping them to ensure even heating.

Best Practices:

To ensure the best results when reheating your crockpot hot wings, brush the wings with a little extra sauce before reheating. This will help keep them moist and enhance their flavour. Additionally, aim to reheat in small batches to ensure even heating and reduce the risk of overcooking.

By following these guidelines, you can safely store and reheat your crockpot hot wings, ensuring they taste delicious and are free from harmful bacteria.

Frequently asked questions