0-400 Chicken Wings Recipe (2024)

Are you looking for a simple way to cook delicious chicken wings? Then you have to try my 0-400 chicken wings recipe.

The method is simple, and the end result is crispy, perfectly cooked wings that will become a staple. Follow my easy steps below, and you’ll be turning out the BEST wings ever!

Why You’ll Love This 0-400 Chicken Wing Recipe

I LOVE making smoked chicken wings regardless of the season.

This smoked wing recipe provides a delicious smoky flavor and perfect texture. It requires minimal preparation time, and you only need common pantry ingredients.

These wings are perfect for a backyard barbecue, birthday party, game night, or simply a gathering with friends and family. They are a perfect choice for any occasion.

Can You Get Wings Crispy in the Smoker?

Yes, you certainly can get crispy wings in the smoker. During smoking, moisture gradually evaporates, resulting in a dry skin texture that turns wonderfully crispy.

As a result, the exterior of your wings will have a satisfying crunch while the meat inside remains succulent and tender.

What You Need for 0-400 Chicken Wings

Chicken Wings
Baking Powder
Salt
BBQ sauce
Honey
Buffalo Sauce

How to Make 0-400 Smoked Chicken Wings

Step 1 – Prepare the Chicken Wings

Dry the wings thoroughly with a paper towel.

Place the baking powder, salt, and seasoning in a bowl or zip-lock bag with the chicken wings.

Close the bag and gently toss it to coat.

Step 2 – Prepare the Pellet Grill

Load up the hopper with wood chips.

Lightly spray or brush the grill grates with cooking oil.

Step 3 – Place the Wings on the Grill

Lay the wings on the pellet grill grate.

Allow a little space between so the smoke can circulate.

Step 4 – Fire up the Pellet Grill

Start up the pellet grill, setting the cook temp to 400°F.

Once the white smoke has begun to generate, close the lid.

Leave to smoke for 30 minutes.

Step 5 – Turn and Check Temps

After 30 minutes, flip the wings.

After ten minutes, begin checking the internal temps.

Let it cook for 30 minutes until the internal meat temperature hits 165F. I like to keep
them on for a bit longer to about 185-195F. (Be careful not to burn your wings if your smoker has hot spots.)
Place them in a tray to cook them. I’ve added half with bbq sauce + honey and half with buffalo. Return to smoke for another 10 minutes to heat up.

Serve with ranch and garnish with green onions.

Do You Flip Wings When Smoking?

It isn’t necessary to flip the chicken wings when smoking. The smoking process is designed to cook food slowly and evenly by surrounding it with a consistent temperature and smoke.

However, some prefer to flip their wings for aesthetic purposes or to ensure even browning.

How to Store and Reheat Smoked Chicken Wings?

Allow the wings to cool down before storing them. Then, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. Ensure the container is sealed tightly, refrigerate the wings promptly, and use them within 3-4 days.

If you need to store them for a longer period, consider freezing them

You can reheat smoked chicken wings. However, to ensure they are juicy and moist, you need to follow the right steps.

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

How Long Do Wings Take to Smoke?

It takes around 60 minutes for the wings to smoke using the 0-400 method.

Wings are notoriously uneven, so check some of the smaller ones. Use a meat probe or digital thermometer to monitor the internal temperatures.

The internal temperature should be 165°F at least, but temperatures of 185-190°F will still give you juicy, tender wings.

What Is the 0-400 Method for Wings?

The 0-400 method for wings is a popular technique for cooking chicken wings. You place the wings on the cool grill, no need to preheat it, the low temperature slowly renders the fat and cooks the chicken.

This helps ensure the wings are thoroughly cooked and tender. Then, as the temperature reaches 400°F, the skin begins to crisp up, creating a deliciously crunchy exterior.

The Internal Temperature You Need to Reach for Chicken Wings

You want to ensure your chicken wings reach 175°F before you pull them from the smoker. Always use a thermometer with a probe to check this.

What to Serve With 0-400 Chicken Wings

Here are some of my favorite sides to serve with chicken wings

Smoked Broccoli

Smoked Mac and Cheese

Duck Poppers

What Temperature to Smoke at for 0-400 Chicken Wings

You still the grill or smoker to 400°F and place the wings straight in, you don’t need to preheat the grill.

How Can I Get Extra Crispy Chicken Wing Skin?

Here are some tips and tricks to guarantee you’ll always have crispy chicken skin.

Oil Up!

The single best tip for 0-400 chicken wings – oil your grill grates before placing the wings on!

The last thing you want is to lose all the gorgeous crunchy skin when it sticks to the grates.

Give the grill a light spray or brush with some cooking oil before placing the wings down.

Add Baking Powder to Your Chicken Wings

Another great way to get crispy skin is to coat it with a light layer of baking powder.

Pat the wings dry with a paper towel. Place them in a zip-lock bag with baking powder and a dash of salt. Close the bag and toss to coat.

If you want to add seasonings or chicken rub, you can place them in the bag as well. You always want to add your dry rub before cooking your wings

The baking powder and salt help dry out the skin by removing the excess moisture.

The result will be beautifully crispy skin wings, with succulent juicy meat.

What Wood Chips Should I Use for 0-400 Chicken Wings?

For something sweet and subtle, try the fruit or nut woods; flavors like apple, cherry, pecan, and walnut wood are perfect for chicken wings.

If you want something that packs a bit more punch, hickory or mesquite will deliver. This stronger bacon-type flavor is not for the faint-hearted. So experiment before starting out!

Looking for More Chicken Recipes?

Smoked Wings

Smoked Teriyaki Chicken

Feta Stuffed Smoked Chicken Breast

Beer Can Chicken

0-400 Chicken Wings

Charlie

The method is simple and the end result is crispy, perfectly cooked wings that will become a staple for you.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Dinner, lunch, main, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American, Barbecue, bbq, dinner, grill, lunch

Servings 4 people

Calories 602 kcal

Equipment

1 Pellet smoker

Ingredients

3.3 lbs chicken wings
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp BBQ sauce enough to coat chicken
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp Buffalo sauce enough to coat chicken
3 tbsp ranch
2 stalks green onions

Instructions

Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel.
Toss wings in a bowl with salt and baking powder. This helps draw out moisture to make them crispy during cooking.
Before hitting the smoker, spray the grill with a little spray oil to avoid chicken from sticking.
Using the 0-400 method, place the chicken wings on your cold grill then crank it up to 400F.
Let it smoke for 30 minutes, then flip the wings over.
Let it cook for another 30 minutes until the internal meat temperature hits 165F. I like to keep them on for a bit longer to about 185-195F. (Careful not to burn your wings if your smoker has hot spots).
Place them in a tray to sauce them. I’ve added half with bbq sauce + honey, and half with buffalo. Return to smoke for another 10 minutes to heat up.
Serve with ranch and garnish with green onions.

Keyword Chicken WIngs, smoked chicken wings

Smoke On!

Charlie

Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).

I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.

You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!

You can read more about me on our About Us page.

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FAQs

How long do wings take at 400? ›

For best results, bake the wings at 400°F for about 40-50 minutes. If the wings look extra fatty, add another 10 minutes of cooking time. Line the baking pan with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup and better caramelization (if baking in sauce).

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How long to cook chicken wings on the grill at 400 degrees? ›

With the wings seasoned, it's time to get the grill lit and stabilized to 400ºF. Once the grill has reached temperature, add the wings and close the grill. Allow to cook for 5 minutes, and then flip them all. Continue to flip the wings every 5 minutes until they have cooked for 20-25 minutes in total.

Get More Info Here ›

What are the secrets to crispy chicken wings that are not fried? ›

The most widespread trick on the internet involves sprinkling a little baking powder onto the wings before baking them. The kitchen science wizards at America's Test Kitchen and Serious Eats both found this worked best for them.

Tell Me More ›

Can you overcook wings? ›

Saucy slow-cooked wings are tender and full of flavor but can also fall apart if overcooked. Unlike large cuts of meat, they don't need to simmer all day long. Cook wings on HIGH for two to three hours, or on LOW for four to five hours.

Get More Info ›

Is it better to bake chicken wings at 350 or 400? ›

Baking at a higher temperature will result in crispy skin in a shorter amount of time—which is why 400 is a better option. However, 425F is the best option. A 350° F oven will still result in crispy skin, it will just take longer to crisp and cook all the way through.

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What temperature is best for cooking wings? ›

A surface temperature of about 425°F (218°C) is what you're after. This direct cooking over a medium-high heat gives the skin a nice crispness without fear of burning. Chicken wings, being dark meat, are safe to eat at 165°F (74°C), but they won't be as tasty as they could be until 175°F (79°C).

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How long to fry wings in oil at 400? ›

Heat oil to 400°F. Carefully add one third of chicken and cook, stirring and flipping chicken occasionally while adjusting heat to maintain a temperature of 375 to 400°F until golden brown and crisp, about 10 minutes total. Transfer to bowl with sauce, toss to coat, and serve with blue cheese dressing and celery.

Learn More Now ›

Should I oil my wings before grilling? ›

As far as prep work, keep things simple. The best grilled chicken wings are tossed with olive oil (or a neutral oil), kosher salt, and black pepper, or simply mixed with a pre-made seasoning or dry rub (such as Traeger). I've cooked wings side-by-side for the sake of comparison. Both ways are great!

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How long to cook chicken on 400? ›

To Bake Chicken Breast at 400°F: This will take between 22 and 26 minutes depending on the size of the chicken breasts. You can cook chicken breasts at 350°F for closer to 25-30 minutes (although I prefer the higher heat above).

Tell Me More ›

Do you grill or bake chicken wings? ›

Grill for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping occasionally. If baking, bake for 40 to 45 minutes and flip half way through cooking. In the meantime, prepare the lemon pepper sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, parsley, remaining Cajun seasoning, remaining garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper.

Learn More Now ›

What is the secret to perfect wings? ›

Baking powder.

A small amount of baking powder added to the flour mixture helps draw out excess moisture and leaves the chicken wings extra crispy.

Get More Info ›

Why are my chicken wings not getting crispy in the oven? ›

bake on low then high – usually, the fat under the skin is part of the reason why baked wings don't get really crispy. In this recipe, we start at a low temp first which melts the fat under the skin, then we crank up the oven which makes the skin super crispy!