• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • All Recipes
  • IP Calculator
  • SV Chart
  • Using Grow
  • Subscribe

Smells Like Delish

menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • IP Calculator
  • SV Chart
  • Using Grow
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • IP Calculator
    • SV Chart
    • Using Grow
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Chicken & Poultry

    Published: Sep 1, 2022 by Kelly Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Yummly
    • YouTube

    Sweet and Sour 'Bat' Wings

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    platter of black chicken 'bat wings' for halloween.

    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.

    platter of black chicken 'bat wings' for halloween.

    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.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to Bake Whole Chicken Wings
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Substitutions
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top Tips
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Food safety
    • Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
    • Connect with Smells Like Delish!
    • 📖 Recipe

    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.

    ingredients for making black barbeque chicken wings as 'bat wings'.
    • 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.

    barbecue sauce colored with black food color.

    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.

    three joint chicken wings with black barbecue sauce on them.

    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.

    three joint chicken wings cooked with black barbecue sauce.

    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!

    platter of black chicken 'bat wings' for halloween.

    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!

    • Black Gel Colorant

    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

    Can I just use store bought barbecue sauce and color it black?

    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.

    Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love

    • pumpkin butter in a jar.
      Pumpkin Butter
    • bowl of whipped dessert with mandarin orange slice on top.
      Orange Fluff Salad
    • Orange punch in bowl with eyeballs.
      Halloween Orange Sherbet Punch
    • lime green brain mold jello with gummy eyeballs.
      Brain Jello

    Connect with Smells Like Delish!

    Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Yummly
    • YouTube

    📖 Recipe

    platter of black chicken 'bat wings' for halloween.
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 3 votes

    Sweet and Sour Bat Wings

    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!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time40 mins
    Total Time50 mins
    Course: Appetizers
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 12 Appetizers
    Calories: 181kcal
    Author: Kelly Bloom

    Equipment

    • Black Gel Colorant

    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
    US Customary - Metric

    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

    Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 128mg | Potassium: 160mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 119IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword : baked chicken whole wings, baked whole chicken wings, black chicken wings, halloween bat wing recipe, halloween chicken wings, spooky chicken wings, sweet and sour bat wings

    Like this recipe? Be sure to share it, pin it, or add it to your collection!

    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Twitter

    More Chicken & Poultry Recipes

    • Serving dish of air fryer orange chicken and white rice with potstickers in the background.
      Air Fryer Orange Chicken
    • serving bowl of panda express string bean chicken with blue teapot nearby.
      Panda Express String Bean Chicken
    • slicked chicken Katsu in a bento box.
      Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
    • chile relleno burrito with salsa queso sauce on a platter of rice, lettuce, and black beans.
      Chile Relleno Burrito

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Author photo for Kelly Bloom

    Hi, I'm Kelly! and I have a love affair with herbs & spices! Here at Smells Like Delish, I'm all about creating food that has three aspects: flavor, aroma, and texture - to create satisfying fare!

    More about me →

    Newest Recipes

    • platter full of pot stickers with soy sauce dip in the middle and chop sticks nearby.
      Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers
    • fluffy rice on a wooden spoon over a rice cooker full of cooked rice.
      Aroma Rice Cooker Instructions
    • blue and white porcelain bowl full of steamed white rice.
      Fluffy Steamed White Rice
    • basket of seeded challah rolls.
      Challah Rolls
    recipe newsletter

    Diet Friendly Recipes

    • guacamole with tortilla chips on a platter.
      4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
    • Salmon filet in a serving dish with rice pilaf and brussels sprouts.
      Longhorns Salmon Recipe
    • serving dish with blackened mahi mahi and lemon wedges with tartar sauce in a bowl.
      Blackened Mahi Mahi
    • platter of roasted asparagus garnished with cheese and lemon.
      Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus

    Asian Inspirations

    • beef & broccoli stir fry in a skillet.
      Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
    • powdered sugar dusted croffles on a serving platter.
      Croffles (Croissant Waffles)
    • platter of thai chicken cashew on rice.
      Thai Cashew Chicken
    • teriyaki salmon steaks garnished with sesame seeds and thai basil leaves.
      Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon

    Recommended

    • del frisco's butter cake with ice cream, caramel sauce, and whip cream.
      Del Frisco's Butter Cake
    • serving bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with butter & parsley.
      Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes
    • A corn muffin with the wrapper removed.
      Cracker Barrel Cornbread Recipe
    • small plate with cut pork lumpia and a small bowl of dipping sauce nearby
      Traditional Pork Lumpia
    • close up of serving bowl with black beans, tostones, cilantro.
      Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans
    • close up of white serving platter with three grilled pork chops and a green napkin on a white background
      Pan Grilled Steakhouse Pork Chops

    International Favorites

    • air fried samosa appetizers with dip.
      Air Fryer Frozen Samosa
    • Fried Sweet Plantains in a serving dish.
      Fried Sweet Plantains (Platanos Maduros)
    • Bowl of Chimichurri rice.
      Chimichurri Rice
    • ghana meat pies on a platter.
      Ghanaian Meat Pie

    Footer

    ↑ back to top
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Contact
    • About
    • Amazon Store
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Youtube
    • LinkedIn

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Smells Like Delish