Learn how to easily cook chicken wings from frozen with all of our tips. Less than an hour from freezer to plate!
These chicken wings from frozen can be ready in 50, unfussy minutes. It’s mostly just place them in the oven, set the timer, and in less than an hour you’re enjoying delicious chicken wings!
What Kind Of Wings Can I Cook From Frozen?
I recommend fresh wings from the meat counter/meat section of the store that you then cut and freeze at home. They work better than the wings from the freezer section because they aren’t coated in frozen water.
If the wings are frozen solid and can’t be pulled apart, pop them into the microwave for 1-2 minutes. The outside will thaw just enough so you can pull them apart and place them on the sheet pan in a single layer.
Do I Need To Cut My Chicken Wings?
If the wings are only sold whole in your area (drum, flat, and wing tip together), and you don’t want to cut them, the recipe will still work well with whole wings. Just add 10 minutes to the cook time if you’re leaving them whole.
However, you can find detailed instructions with step by step photos on how to cut chicken wings here. We’ll use the drumette and flat to make our chicken wings.
How To Cook Chicken Wings From Frozen
Set oven to 425° and place frozen wings in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. No need to wait for the oven to pre-heat, place them in immediately and they will start to thaw as the oven heats up.
If you don’t have parchment paper, you can use aluminum foil, but I recommend spraying it with cooking spray or rubbing some oil over it. The fatty juices from the chicken as it cooks can cause the skin to stick, but the extra bit of oil should minimize that.
Bake for 50 minutes or until an instant read thermometer reads 160°F. While it’s best to keep the oven door closed for the full 50 minutes during baking and then season afterward, halfway through baking, you could add salt and your favorite seasonings to the wings, making sure the oven door is quickly closed so that the oven temperature doesn’t drastically change. The wings will be thawed and cooked enough that the seasonings will cling.
Oven temperatures can fluctuate greatly. If the wings aren’t as crispy as you’d like after the 50 minutes in the oven, switch the oven to broiling, and cook for another 6-10 minutes.
Remove from oven and let wings rest 5 minutes. Then, toss them in your favorite sauce (like this Smoky BBQ Sauce) and enjoy!
Can get enough chicken wings? I hear you. I’ve got a whole series devoted to them over on TheCookful! Plus, find out how to brine chicken wings for tender, flavorful meat with crispy skin on the outside. So so good.
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How To Cook Chicken Wings From Frozen
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Rest Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Entrée
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
Don’t panic! You can bake delicious wings from frozen with these instructions.
Listen to learn how to make this recipe, along with some great tips from Christine:
Ingredients
- 20 frozen, split chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
Instructions
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Set oven temperature to 425°F.
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On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange wings in a single layer.
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Immediately place pan in oven. Do not wait for oven to preheat.
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Bake for 50 minutes or until an instant read thermometer registers 160°F. when inserted into the thickest part of the wing.
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Remove pan from oven and let stand 5 minutes.
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Toss wings in barbecue or buffalo sauce and serve.
Love this recipe? I’d appreciate it if you could scroll down and add a *5 star rating* to help others know they’ll love it as well!
Notes
- It’s important to let the wings rest after removing the pan from the oven; carryover cooking will bring the wings to the proper temperature, without overcooking them.
- If wings are stuck together in a package, microwave for 1-2 minutes, which will be just enough to pry them apart and place in a single layer on sheet pan.
- If wings are not already cut into flats and drums, add 10 minutes to cook time.
- Do not open the oven door until the 50 minutes are up. Use the oven light to check the wings. If you want to season them, you can quickly add salt and seasoning half-way through, but best to wait till the end.
- Because the wings do not have seasoning yet, be sure to use a well-seasoned sauce.
Try Out says
Great recipe ! I’ll tell my girlfriend to cook this.
★★★★★
Gina says
Absolutely delicious. Best wings ever!! Perfectly crispy skin. Thank you for your recipe.
★★★★★
Christine Pittman says
You’re welcome, Gina! So glad you loved it.
emma says
Tonight I was craving chicken wings..Used my air fryer and put the frozen wings in, 390 degrees and Voila, 35 minutes later, had wonderful crisp, tasy wings…Hit the spot and used homemade bar q que sauce..Just didn’t use the oven method as you suggested. Love my air fryer….
★★★★★
Christine Pittman says
Thanks for sharing with us, Emma!
Carol says
Cooked frozen wings using your recipe, and they turned out great! Getting ready for another batch for tonight’s dinner! Delicious!!
★★★★★
Christine Pittman says
Yum! Thanks for letting me know, Carol.
zidane says
thank you for the recipe
★★★★★
Christine Pittman says
You’re welcome!
Brian Levine says
Came out perfectly.
★★★★★
Christine Pittman says
Thrilled to hear that, Brian!
Mark says
Great way to cook frozen wings. Worked like a charm with little grease.
★★★★★
Christine Pittman says
So happy to hear that, Mark!
Shelly says
Question- do I cook them for 50 minutes once the oven comes to temperature or do I cook them for 50 minutes total?
Christine Pittman says
50 minutes total in the oven, Shelly. Enjoy!
Barbara Rael says
Love this easy receipt.
Thx Christine.
Christine Pittman says
You’re welcome, Barbara!
Gary Wilson says
Where have I been all your life?! I love your presentation and clearly stated explanations. This now my go to recipe site. Now I’m going to thaw the wings and try the baking powder trick.
Thanks Christine
★★★★★
Christine Pittman says
Thank you so much, Gary! I’m sure you’ll love the wings.
Kim says
Do you need to flip the wings at all?
Christine Pittman says
No, it’s not necessary to flip them, Kim. I prefer to not even open the oven at all while they cook. You can toss them in sauce after they cook. Enjoy!
Deborah Slowata says
I followed the directions and finished them off under the broiler. They were crispy and delicious. I dipped them in buffalo sauce and served them! So easy so good will always make them like this!! Parchment paper made clean-up a breeze !!!
★★★★★
Christine Pittman says
Fantastic! I’m so happy you liked them, Deborah. Thank you for the comment and rating. I appreciate it!
EM Colvin says
Best wings I have ever had. Wow! After they baked and rested, I made a Buffalo garlic Parmesan to toss them in.
I’ll be making these again, I was skeptical at first on putting frozen wings from the freezer section in the oven.
They are seriously like “no fail” wings. Delicious without tossing them in any sauce just plain they were absolutely crispy and perfect..
★★★★★
Christine Pittman says
I’m delighted that you liked them so much. I love this method of cooking them too! and, that sauce sounds delicious!
Shannon says
This worked! My frozen wings turned out crispy and tasty. I didn’t open the oven to season them halfway through. But to serve them I sprinkled salt and lemon pepper on them.
★★★★★
Christine Pittman says
Great idea, Shannon, I’m glad you enjoyed!
Sue Fredrickson says
If I don’t have parchment paper
Can I use the non shiny side of Reynolds wrap?
Christine Pittman says
Sue, yes you can, but I would also spray it with cooking spray or rub it down with some oil. The fattier juices from the chicken can cause the skin to stick to the foil and make it hard to come off. The extra touch of oil will stop that from happening.
Gwen says
One part says remove the wings halfway through to season, but the note at the bottom says not to open the oven at all for 50 minutes — which do you recommend?
Christine Pittman says
Sorry for the confusion, Gwen! You can quickly season them halfway through, but I think it’s better to wait till the end and season or toss in a sauce then. Enjoy!