Esi Tested

Shito Honey Wings

Name: Shito Honey Wings
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 lb chicken wings, split; 1 tbsp baking powder; 1 tsp kosher salt; 3 tbsp Shito; 2 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp butter; 1 lime, halved; Sliced scallions and sesame seeds, to finish

These are the wings that convert people. Shito brings smoky heat, honey rounds it off, and a squeeze of lime keeps every bite bright.

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Spice level: Spicy

Jump to Recipe

Crispy chicken wings glazed in dark red shito honey sauce with scallions

Shito Honey Wings, start to finish

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Servings

Ingredients

2 lb chicken wings, split
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt
3 tbsp Shito (Ghanaian pepper sauce)
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp butter
1 lime, halved
Sliced scallions and sesame seeds, to finish

What Esi Used

Half sheet pan with wire rack
Small saucier
Microplane

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Why This Works

Shito adds heat and savory depth, honey balances the spice, and lime cuts the richness so the wings never feel heavy.

Step-by-step directions

1
Heat the oven to 425°F and set a rack in the upper third.
2
Pat the wings very dry, then toss with baking powder and salt. Dry skin is what makes them crisp.
3
Arrange on a rack-lined sheet pan with space between each wing. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, flipping once.
4
While they bake, warm Shito, honey, soy sauce and butter in a small pan until glossy, about 3 minutes.
5
Toss the hot wings in the glaze, squeeze over lime, and finish with scallions and sesame.

Tips

Start with 2 tbsp Shito if you are heat-shy, then add more at the end.
Bake, don't crowd. Two pans beat one packed pan.

Substitutions

No Shito? Use 2 tbsp sambal or harissa plus 1/2 tsp smoked paprika.
Swap honey for maple syrup to keep it vegan-friendly with tofu wings.

Suggested side

Kelewele Mac & Cheese
Cucumber tomato salad
Cold Sobolo

Storage

Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes to bring the crunch back. Avoid the microwave.

Ingredients you may not know yet

Shito

A spicy Ghanaian pepper sauce.

Tastes like: Smoky, savory and hot, with dried fish or shrimp depth.
How Esi uses it: As a glaze base, stirred into oil for pasta, or spooned beside rice.
Substitute: Sambal or harissa plus a pinch of smoked paprika.
Where to find it: African grocers, or online in jars.