If you're looking for a fun and delicious Halloween party appetizer, then you'll love this sweet and sour bat wing recipe. Bat wings are really just baked whole chicken wings. They are super easy to make, and perfect for a party appetizer or main course!
For more chickens, see our Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings, Bonchon Soy Garlic Chicken Wings, and Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings.
Why you will love this recipe
While Sweet and Sour'Bat' wings may sound strange, but they are actually really delicious. They are just three joint baked whole chicken wings with black barbecue sauce. They're crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and they are packed with flavor.
Plus, they are super easy to make using a sheet pan. They are fast and easy to prepare for your next Halloween party or Halloween themed family gathering.
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Ingredients
Be sure to buy the three joint chicken wings. Three joints mean the wing tips have not been cut off nor have the wings been pre-cut. When you stretch them out, they look like the wings of bats.
If you can't see inside the package to be sure, just ask the folks at the meat counter for help. They usually have them in the back freezer if they are not out in the freezer case.
- Three Jointed Chicken wings, anticipate 3 per person for a meal, 2 per person for appetizer or about 3 lbs.
For the Sweet and Sour Barbecue Sauce:
- Brown Sugar
- Pineapple Juice
- Ketchup
- Garlic powder
- Worcestershire sauce
- Black Gel food coloring
- Honey
- Rice or Apple Cider Vinegar
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Bake Whole Chicken Wings
You will be oven baking whole chicken wings with barbecue sauce that has been tinted with black colorant. To keep mess to a minimum, wear a pair to disposable nitrile gloves while handling the chicken.
Step 1. Prepare the Sweet & Sour Barbecue Sauce
Add the pineapple juice, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, honey, garlic powder, and vinegar in a bowl and whisk it until blended. Then, add about ½ to ¾ teaspoon of the black gel food color. Whisk it in well until the colorant is evenly distributed.
The sweet and sour barbecue sauce will actually have a slightly forest green cast to it. This is normal, due to how the black food color is blended. When the chicken wings are done cooking, they will be quite definitely black though.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 2. Coat the Chicken Wings
Rinse the chicken wings and pat them dry with paper towels. This will allow the barbecue sauce to stick better. Baste the uncooked chicken wings liberally on both sides. Set to bake at 400 F for 20 minutes.
Remove from oven and baste again, turn and baste the other side. Return to the oven and continue baking for another 20 minutes.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 3. Remove from Oven and Serve
Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving platter. I like a white platter as it really makes the black chicken 'bat' wings pop. These make a nice savory Halloween trick treat, a nice respite from all the sweet treats.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Sweet and Sour Bat Wings just as they are, or pair them up with our Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Halloween 7 Layer Dip for a savory Halloween Party menu or buffet spread.
For more amazing Halloween Party treats see our Mummy Brownies, Mummy Pigs in a Blanket, Halloween Snack Mix, Monster Cookie Truffles, and Reeses Peanut Butter Cookies. Your party guest will have a spooky time at your Halloween table!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
If you are a fan of the Game of Thrones series, than why not bake up Sweet and Sour Dragon wings?? Just substitute large three joint turkey wings instead. These would really make a statement on your Halloween party table!
Equipment
Having a rimmed baking sheet with a rack that fits inside helps keep your 'bat' wings crispy and cooked on all sides. The rack lifts them up from any juices that they leak while baking. I like this baking sheet set, as it comes with two rimmed cookie sheets and racks that fit inside. You will use these from making cookies to our Banana Sheet Pancakes!
Storage
These baked whole chicken wings can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month. These freeze well! You can crisp them back up using an air fryer for 5 minutes or pop back into a 300 F oven for 20 minutes.
Top Tips
- Be sure to pat the washed chicken wings off, this will allow the barbecue sauce to stick and not just slide off when baking.
- Wear disposable nitrile gloves when basting and turning the baking chicken wings. You won't see any staining after the chicken is cooked, but it can get messy during the basting and turning session.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, You can make our Sweet and Sour Barbecue sauce and add the black gel food coloring, or you can use your favorite barbecue sauce and add the food color to that. Either approach is perfectly fine. Use about 1 cup of barbecue sauce.
Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Sweet and Sour Bat Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 lbs whole chicken wings 3 joint chicken wings
For the Sweet & Sour Barbecue Sauce
- ¾ cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Black Gel Food Colorant
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoon rice or apple cider vinegar
Instructions
for the Sweet & Sour Barbecue Sauce
- Preheat your oven to 400° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet pan with aluminum foil, and place a rack on top. Spray the rack with non stick spray.
- Mix the pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, honey, vinegar, and black food coloring in a bowl. Mix well.¾ cup pineapple juice, 2 tablespoon brown sugar, ¼ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Black Gel Food Colorant, ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoon rice or apple cider vinegar
- Place the chicken wings on the baking rack of the prepared pan.3 lbs whole chicken wings
- Baste the chicken wings liberally on both sides and bake in the 400° oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and baste again. Turn the chicken wings and baste the other side. Place back in the oven for another 20 minutes.
- Place on a serving platter and serve!
Notes
- Anticipate 5 three joint chicken wings per lb.
- If you have a lot of food at a party, calculate 1 wing per person.
- For a meal size serving, calculate 3 wings per person.
Nutrition
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