I’ve always enjoyed trying new recipes, and these Elderberry Glazed Chicken Wings are a great example. They’re a mix of sweet and savory, with a special taste that will impress anyone.

These wings are perfect for watching sports, having parties, or just a fun dinner during the week.

The homemade elderberry glaze is what makes them unique. It’s easy to make, and it gives the wings a flavor you won’t find in store-bought sauces.

Recipe Overview

These Elderberry Glazed Chicken Wings are crispy, baked wings with a tasty, slightly tart, and sweet glaze.

The glaze is made with elderberry syrup, giving it a rich berry taste. It’s made with things you probably already have in your kitchen, so it’s easy to make and tastes great.

These wings are great as a snack, a main dish with a salad or side, or for a game-day party. They’re like a fancier version of the wings you loved as a kid.

They’re crispy on the outside and soft and flavorful on the inside.

Ingredients for Elderberry Glazed Chicken Wings

Here’s what you need to make these yummy wings:

2 pounds of chicken wings, cut into flats and drumettes
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (if you want a little spice)

For the Elderberry Glaze:

1 cup of elderberry syrup (you can buy this at health food stores or online)
1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons of honey
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (for a little kick)

If you can’t find elderberry syrup, you can use another berry syrup, like blueberry or raspberry, but the taste will be different. If you don’t want it too sweet, use less honey. You can leave out the red pepper flakes if you don’t like spicy food.

Step-by-Step Instructions

First, heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Put parchment paper on a baking sheet. This stops the wings from sticking and makes cleaning up easy.
Next, dry the chicken wings with paper towels. This is important because dry wings get crispier in the oven.
In a big bowl, mix the wings with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if you’re using it). Make sure the wings are covered evenly with the spices.
Place the wings in a single layer on the baking sheet. Don’t put too many wings on the sheet, or they won’t cook right. Use two baking sheets if you need to.
Bake the wings for 45-50 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. They’re done when the inside temperature is 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear.
While the wings are baking, make the elderberry glaze. In a small pot, mix the elderberry syrup, apple cider vinegar, honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
Heat the mixture over medium heat until it simmers. Turn the heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the glaze gets a little thicker. Stir it sometimes so it doesn’t stick. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
When the wings are cooked, take them out of the oven.
Put the baked wings and the elderberry glaze in a big bowl. Mix the wings with the glaze until they’re covered well.
Serve right away. You can add sesame seeds or chopped green onions on top if you want.

Variations & Tips

For extra crispy wings: After you mix them with the glaze, you can put them back in the oven under the broiler for a few minutes. This makes the glaze crispy. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
Make ahead: You can make the glaze up to 3 days before and keep it in the fridge. You can also bake the wings ahead of time and mix them with the warmed glaze before serving.
Storage: You can keep leftover wings in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To reheat the wings, bake them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’re hot. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but they won’t be as crispy.
Serving suggestions: These wings go great with celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing. You can also serve them with a salad or roasted vegetables.

Key Details for Elderberry Glazed Chicken Wings

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Equipment you’ll need: Baking sheet, parchment paper, large bowl, small saucepan, whisk

FAQ

Can I use frozen chicken wings?

Yes, but make sure they’re completely thawed before cooking. Dry them well with paper towels to get rid of extra water, which is important for crispy skin.

What if I don’t have elderberry syrup?

You can use another berry syrup like blueberry or raspberry. But this will change the taste of the glaze.

Can I make the glaze less sweet?

Yes! If you want a less sweet glaze, use less honey. Start with 1 tablespoon and taste, adding more if you need it.

How can I make the wings spicier?

To make the wings spicier, add more cayenne pepper to the spice mix or more red pepper flakes to the glaze. You can also add a little hot sauce to the glaze.

Can I grill the wings instead of baking them?

Yes, you can grill the wings. Heat your grill to medium-high and cook the wings for about 20-25 minutes, flipping them sometimes, until they’re cooked and nicely charred. Then, mix them with the glaze.

How do I know when the chicken wings are fully cooked?

The best way is to use a meat thermometer. The inside temperature should be 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of a wing with a fork. The juices should be clear, not pink.

Elderberry Glazed Chicken Wings

Crispy baked chicken wings with a tasty, slightly tart, and sweet homemade elderberry glaze, perfect for snacks, main dishes, or parties.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

2 pounds of chicken wings cut into flats and drumettes
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper optional
1 cup of elderberry syrup
1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons of honey
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Dry chicken wings with paper towels.
In a large bowl, mix wings with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
Place wings in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 45-50 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and juices run clear.
While wings bake, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine elderberry syrup, apple cider vinegar, honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
Heat glaze mixture over medium heat until simmering. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
Remove wings from oven.
In a large bowl, toss baked wings with elderberry glaze until well coated.
Serve immediately, optionally garnished with sesame seeds or chopped green onions.