I know what you’re thinking—pumpkin spice and chicken wings? But trust me, this unexpected combo totally works. These Pumpkin Spiced Chicken Wings are sweet, savory, a little spicy, and absolutely perfect for fall get-togethers, game days, or even just a cozy snack night at home. The warm spices coat the crispy wings in a glaze that tastes like autumn in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you love the comfort of pumpkin spice but want something a little more adventurous than your usual latte or muffin, these wings are for you. They’re baked (or air-fried!) to crispy perfection, then tossed in a sticky glaze made with pumpkin puree, maple syrup, a touch of hot sauce, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. They’re a little sweet, a little spicy, and totally addictive.

Ingredients

Here’s a little preview of what you’ll need (full list of ingredients is down below):

Chicken wings
Pumpkin puree
Maple syrup
Apple cider vinegar
Hot sauce
Garlic and onion powder
Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove
Salt and pepper

Prep Your Wings

Start by patting the wings dry with paper towels—this helps them get nice and crispy. Season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, and toss them in a bit of oil. You can bake them in a hot oven or pop them in the air fryer, depending on how crispy you want them.

Make the Pumpkin Spice Glaze

While the wings are cooking, whisk together the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, a splash of apple cider vinegar, and your spice mix. Add in a bit of hot sauce for heat (how much is totally up to you). Warm the glaze on the stove for a few minutes so all the flavors come together and it gets slightly thickened.

Toss and Coat

Once your wings are golden and crispy, toss them in the warm pumpkin glaze until they’re fully coated. You can return them to the oven or air fryer for a few minutes if you want the glaze to caramelize a bit more, or just serve them as-is—either way, they’re delicious.

Serve Warm and Dig In

Pile your pumpkin spiced wings onto a platter and serve them hot. They’re sticky, sweet, spiced, and packed with fall flavor. If you’re serving for a party, a sprinkle of chopped green onions or parsley on top adds a pop of color.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Dry your wings thoroughly before seasoning to help them crisp up better
Don’t skip the apple cider vinegar—it balances out the sweetness of the maple and pumpkin
If you like extra crispy wings, bake them on a wire rack set over a sheet pan
Use your favorite hot sauce to control the heat level

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Swap out maple syrup for honey or brown sugar if that’s what you have on hand
Add a splash of soy sauce to the glaze for a more savory depth
Not a fan of heat? Leave out the hot sauce entirely and add a pinch more cinnamon
Want a smokier flavor? Add a touch of smoked paprika or use chipotle hot sauce

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These wings are amazing with a cool dip like ranch or a yogurt-based garlic sauce to balance the spices. Serve them alongside roasted sweet potatoes, cornbread muffins, or even a fall slaw with apples and cabbage. A crisp hard cider or spiced ale is the perfect drink pairing for a fall-themed meal.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the oven or air fryer at 375°F until heated through and the skin is crispy again. You can also reheat them in a skillet on the stove over medium heat.

FAQs

Can I use frozen wings?
Yes, just make sure they’re fully thawed and dried before seasoning and cooking so they get crispy.

Can I grill these wings?
Absolutely! Grill them over medium heat until cooked through, then toss in the pumpkin glaze and give them a quick char on the grill to caramelize the glaze.

Can I make these ahead of time?
You can bake the wings ahead and store them, then toss in the glaze and reheat just before serving.

Are these wings sweet or spicy?
They’re a perfect balance—slightly sweet from the maple and pumpkin, with a subtle heat from the hot sauce and spices. You can always adjust to your liking!

Conclusion

These Pumpkin Spiced Chicken Wings are such a fun way to bring a little fall flavor into your savory cooking. They’re cozy, flavorful, and totally unexpected in the best way. Try them once and you might just start craving pumpkin spice long after the season ends.

These Pumpkin Spiced Chicken Wings Are the Cozy Fall Appetizer You Didn’t Know You Needed

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These Pumpkin Spiced Chicken Wings are a cozy, fall-inspired appetizer that combines crispy baked or air-fried wings with a sticky glaze made from pumpkin puree, maple syrup, warm spices, and a touch of heat. Sweet, savory, and a little spicy—these wings are the perfect addition to your autumn table.

Author: Touria Elkoudssi
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baked or Air-Fried
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F (or preheat your air fryer to 400°F).
Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl.
Toss wings with oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Spread wings on a wire rack set over a baking sheet (or in a single layer in the air fryer basket).
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or air fry for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until wings are golden and crispy.
While wings cook, prepare the glaze: in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine pumpkin puree, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Stir and simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Once wings are done, place them in a large bowl and pour the glaze over top. Toss until wings are fully coated.
Optional: Return wings to the oven or air fryer for an additional 5 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
Serve warm, garnished with chopped green onions or parsley if desired.