Name: Toaster-Oven Oven-Fried Barbecue Chicken Wings
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Ingredients: 1¾ pounds chicken wings , halved at joints, wingtips discarded; 1½ teaspoons baking powder; ¼ teaspoon table salt; 2 tablespoons ketchup; 2 tablespoons water; 2 teaspoons molasses; 1½ teaspoons cider vinegar; 1½ teaspoons minced canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce; ⅛ teaspoon liquid smoke

Why This Recipe Works

Baking powder was our secret weapon because it works to break down the proteins within the skin, which helps it dry out in the toaster oven. After we tossed the wings with baking powder and salt, we started the wings on low heat—on a wire rack for better air circulation—to fully dry the skin and begin rendering the fat. Then we cranked the toaster oven to 450 degrees and rotated the baking sheet to finish roasting the wings and crisping up the skin.

Before You Begin

A coating of flavorful sauce (with a little bit of liquid smoke to deliver that familiar, charred flavor) and these wings were ready to be devoured. If you buy chicken wings that are already split, with the tips removed, you will need only 1½ pounds.

Instructions

for the wings

Adjust toaster oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 250 degrees. Set small wire rack in small aluminum foil–lined rimmed baking sheet and spray rack with vegetable oil spray. Pat wings dry with paper towels. Combine baking powder and salt in large bowl, add wings, and toss to coat evenly.

Arrange wings skin side up in single layer on prepared wire rack. Bake wings for 30 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees, rotate sheet, and continue to bake wings until golden brown and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove sheet from oven and let sit for 5 minutes.

for the barbecue sauce

Meanwhile, whisk all ingredients together in clean large bowl. Add wings and toss to coat. Serve.