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Harissa Hot Wings

Harissa Hot Wings

4 to 6 Servings

1 hour 25 minutes 15 minutes active

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This riff on buffalo wings features international flavor inspiration. Za’atar is a Middle Eastern herb, spice and seed blend; we use it to season both the wings and sauce. The base for the sauce is North African harissa paste, a fiery, fragrant mixture of red chilies and spices. If you purchase whole chicken wings, you will need to separate them into drumettes and flats (wingettes) and also remove and discard the wing tips; purchase a total of 3 pounds to account for the weight lost with wing tip removal.

4 to 6

Servings

Tip

Don’t skip the 30-minute to 1-hour marination. This step helps keep the meat moist and flavorful; without it the wings turn out dry and tough.

1 hour 25 minutes

15 minutes active

Ingredients

  • 2½

    pounds chicken drumettes, flats (wingettes) or a combination

  • ¼

    cup plus 1 tablespoon za’atar

Directions

  1. 01
    In a large bowl, combine the chicken wings, ¼ cup za’atar, 3 tablespoons water and 2 tablespoons salt, then stir until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the middle position. Set a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet and mist the rack with cooking spray.

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Reviews
Olivia K.
February 15, 2024
Delicious
I love this recipe! I’ve made it several times and they has always come out incredibly tasty and crispy. When I get harissa paste this is always one of the recipes I make before I run out.
Jennifer B.
November 14, 2022
Delicious!
Great wings! Made my own harissa from joy of cooking, not hard at all.
Melvina O.
September 17, 2022
Delicious!
Followed the recipe pretty much to the letter but omitted some of the salt as I felt the amount it called for was a bit on the excessive side. It was absolutely delicious! I will definitely be adding this to my wing recipe repertoire.
Marsha A.
July 18, 2022
Definitely a repeat
I prefer a local harissa- Tara kitchen and Mina Harissa. Love this as a meal with a big salad
Alexis M.
June 12, 2022
Rave Reviews
It was super easy to make and no one knew that it was baked. A true crowd pleaser. Definitely make for your people.
Jamie W.

HELLO! I bet these wings are wonderfully delicious! Are you able to provide some details on buying ZA’ATAR? I'm assuming Za'Atar is available in most grocery stores, right? Living in Northwestern, Pa, my options where to purchase the ingredient may be limited to a Wal-Mart or PA Grocery Chain. Are you able to provide some recommendations? Please!!

Todd B.

Hi Jamie - if you don’t have a Penzeys close to you, you can order online from them. Their za’tar spice mix is excellent:

Jamie W.

Hello, Todd - thanks! I'm not sure why I didn't think of Penzeys! Anyway, I found Lebanese Zaatar on Amazon (the company name was The Spice Way). The wings turned out great! Wish I could post a picture here.

MARK S.

Yes, they are! I made some for the "Big Game" aka the Super Bowl and I'm not sure they will make it to game time. This is now my go to way of making wings. the wings came out crispy and delicious.

Jamie W.

Hi, Mark! Yes, the wings DID turn out crispy and delicious! The wings were gone before the Big Game!

Sarah S.

The good news is you can make za’atar! It’s very easy - you will need sumac, but if you find that you just need sesame seeds, thyme and salt. There are several recipes online!

Jamie W.

Thanks, Sarah! I found several recipes online and decided to order Zaatar instead. Do you make your own Zaatar?

Jamie W.

Hello, Todd - thanks! I'm not sure why I didn't think of Penzeys! Anyway, I found Lebanese Zaatar on Amazon (the company name was The Spice Way). The wings turned out great! Wish I could post a picture here.

Jamie W.

Hi, Mark! Yes, the wings DID turn out crispy and delicious! The wings were gone before the Big Game!

Jamie W.

Thanks, Sarah! I found several recipes online and decided to order Zaatar instead. Do you make your own Zaatar?

Lauren S.

How do you print the recipes?

Jamie W.

There is a banner labeled "print" to the left of the Ingredients Title.

Anna R.

What is ZA’ARAR ?

Janelle C.

Hi Anna,

Za'atar is a Middle Eastern herb, spice and seed blend.

Best,
The Milk Street Team

Lillian B.

These wings are delicious. They are spicy but not overpowering. I took them to a small gathering and they were gone in no time. I bought the spice at Wegmans and the Harissa paste at Trader Joe’s. We don’t have either store close to us but I picked them up when out of town. I am glad to know the Za’atar is available at Penzey’s.

Kim C.

What would be the timing if you use bone in chicken thighs instead? Boneless breasts?

Lynn C.

Hi Kim -

Unfortunately, we didn't test this recipe with chicken thighs or breasts since it was meant to be served as a riff on buffalo wings.

Best,
The Milk Street Team

Pat T.

I am so disappointed. My chicken, which I followed to the letter, came out soggy - not crispy at all wet and soggy is what I hate about cooking chicken wings. The only good recipe I have found is combining a Tablespoon of sugar, salt and baking powder, letting sit in fridge, then cooking in oven at 450 in oven for 45 or in air fryer for 20 (air fryer) min, turning once. Then putting sauce on. I am so disappointed in this recipe of yours and I joined just to get it. I love so many of your recipes, however.

Lynn C.

Hi Pat -

We are so sorry the recipe didn't work for you. As you can see above, most folks have had really good luck with these and have really enjoyed how crispy they were. We aren't sure what went wrong with yours, but one thing to keep in mind is that these are baked, not fried like most restaurant chicken wings so they can't possibly be as crispy. That being said, we have always been happy with how crispy they were when we made them in house!

Best,
The Milk Street Team

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