Dry rub chicken wings are the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors, making them a game-day favorite, especially for the Super Bowl. This recipe features a flavorful spice blend that caramelizes beautifully as it bakes, creating juicy wings with a crisp, spiced exterior. Whether you’re a fan of bold heat or prefer a mild kick, this easy recipe is customizable and guaranteed to impress.
Ingredients:
- Frozen (thawed) Drumettes
- Frozen (thawed) Chicken wings
- Vegetable oil
- Brown sugar
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Cumin
- Salt
- Dried rosemary
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
Start with thawed wing and drummette pieces, rinsed and patted dry with paper towels. To help the dry rub stick, drizzle the wings with a little vegetable oil before coating them in the seasoning blend.
For the rub, mix spices like paprika, chili powder, onion powder, cumin, rosemary, garlic powder, salt, and brown sugar in a bowl. Brown sugar is essential—it balances the heat and caramelizes during baking, creating a perfectly flavorful coating.
Place the wings in a large bowl, add the spice blend, and toss until they’re evenly coated.
Place the wings on a foil-lined baking sheet with a baking rack on top. Spray the rack with cooking spray and arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer.
The baking rack ensures even cooking, while the foil catches any drips or spills for easy cleanup. Bake the wings for about 45 minutes, turning out perfectly crispy and flavorful.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure your wings have thawed completely and that you pat them dry. This will prevent a wet wing, the seasoning will stick to the skin much better if the wings are dry, to begin with.
- Feel free to substitute or add more or different seasonings. Cayenne pepper or white pepper would add more spice and would blend nicely. Oregano and basil can be added as well.
- Make sure you do not crowd the baking pan. An even layer of wings will ensure that they all cook evenly. The wings will need to be turned only once during baking.
If you are looking for a different dry rub combination, you could try a Cajun Rub, a Smokehouse rub, your favorite BBQ rub, a peppery rub, a coffee-based rub, a poultry rub, a Moroccan style rub, or even a Greek-style rub. Use the same method with any of these rubs!
FAQs
How to Make Dry Rub Chicken Wings in a Crockpot
Rub the wings with seasoning, brown them in a skillet for added flavor, and then cook them in the crockpot for a “fix it and forget it” option.
How to Air Fry Dry Rub Wings
Place 12 seasoned wings in the air fryer. Cook at 380°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway. Increase to 400°F and cook for 2 more minutes to crisp them up. Wings are done when they reach 165°F.
What to Serve with Dry Rub Chicken Wings
Pair wings with Parmesan Ranch Dip, Blue Cheese Dip, veggie sticks, or bacon-wrapped roasted potatoes with spiced aioli.
How to Reheat Dry Rub Chicken Wings
For crispy reheated wings, use the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes or an air fryer. Avoid microwaving as it can make wings soggy.
Want more chicken wing recipe ideas? Try these Cajun Dry Rub Chicken Wings, Lemon Pepper Dry Rub Chicken Wings, Garlic Parmesan Wings, Thai Spice Chicken Wings.
Dry Rub Chicken Wing

Sometimes it's all about the sauce when it comes to chicken wings and sometimes it's all in the rub! This dry rub chicken wing recipe has lots of spicy, sweet seasoning that makes these very memorable wings!
Ingredients
- 1 64 oz package frozen, thawed drumettes
- 1 64 oz package frozen thawed chicken wings
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and a baking rack over top.
- In a small bowl, combine the dried seasoning; stir.
- Rinse and pat chicken pieces dry.
- Place the wings in a large bowl and drizzle with oil, tossing each piece so that they all get coated.
- Sprinkle rub over chicken and rub the seasoning into each piece.
- Arrange wings on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake wings for 30 minutes, turn and then bake an additional 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Yield
24Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 520Total Fat 38gSaturated Fat 13gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 21gCholesterol 124mgSodium 703mgCarbohydrates 20gFiber 1gSugar 4gProtein 26g
Maria says
Oh yum!!! I put a very similar dry rub on pork chops, but this looks super delicious on chicken wings! I haven’t ever thought of that.
Tiana Matson says
This would be my new recipe, I always cook chicken wing with coke. But I would like to try this one.
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
I looove chicken wings and this dry rub sounds super easy! I know what you mean about wanting to go back to a fun day–it doesn’t mean now’s not good, it’s just that memories get rosier over time. It’s a good thing!
Carol D Allison says
Tried it two weeks ago-my husband wants them again. Cooked on the grill for 10 minutes per side and they were perfect.
Lemonsforlulu says
I love grilled wings! They have the best flavor!
Jackie says
Hi
Did you use the whole amount of spice rub on wings.
Cayla says
Can this dry rub be used on chicken thighs?
Tanya Schroeder says
This would be great for any type of chicken.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
These wings look so tasty!!!
Ruthy says
Thank you so much for sharing! My husband couldnt get enough of it. I made it 3 times this week! <3
Tanya Schroeder says
Yay Ruthy!! I’m so happy to hear this! This is the only wing recipe I make!
Josh Cook says
Was it supposed to come out dry? Mine was wet…kinda turned into a sauce.
Tanya Schroeder says
Hi Josh, things are not exactly dry and not exactly wet. The coating will stick to fingers because of the sugar and the oil coating the wings. But it should not be drippy and saucy like a wing coated in BBQ or Buffalo sauce. I hope this helps!
np says
These look amazing! Can I substitute the brown sugar for regular sugar?
Tanya Schroeder says
The molasses in the brown sugar adds so much more flavor than regular granulated sugar. Plus it adds a certain “stickiness” that makes these wings delicious!
Chris says
Just tried these tonight. Surprisingly good. Finished with a sprinkle of lime juice. Will be making these again.
Tanya Schroeder says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, this is our favorite way to eat wings!
Aika says
These were okay at best, but not nearly as spicy as I was hoping.
Tanya Schroeder says
The good thing with a rub, is you can always adjust the seasoning to your tastes.
Kaduna says
This was amazing.
My family say Thank you!!
Will be making these again.
Tanya Schroeder says
Yay!! Thank you for sharing!
aping828 says
my wings were burnt at 450 degrees for 30 minutes- very tasty but was wondering where I went wrong?