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Sticky Baked Apricot Wings (Paleo, Whole30)

Apr 29, 2022 · 16 Comments

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Sticky Baked Apricot Wings (Paleo, Whole30) arranged on a white platter and a hand holding one up

These Sticky Baked Apricot Wings are fun, easy and irresistible!

A simple sauce of apricot jam and spices creates a spicy sweet glaze over juicy wings when baked in the oven.

And this healthy wing recipe is gluten-free, Paleo and Whole30 friendly!

Whole30 chicken wings on a white plate next to bowls of apricot jam and apricot BBQ sauce

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Sticky Baked Apricot Wings

While there’s so many ways to make chicken wings, it’s hard to beat a slightly sweet, slightly spicy, sticky glaze.

So once I saw this Spicy Apricot Wings recipe from Food & Wine, I knew I had to make a healthier, easier version.

Instead of grilling them outside, we’re going to bake them so we can enjoy them year-round.

And while any apricot jam works, I like to use naturally fruit-sweetened ones to cut down on the sugar. My two favorite brands are St. Dalfour and Bionaturae (not an ad, I just like them).

And by also cutting out the original recipe’s brown sugar (doesn’t need it), Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce, this recipe is Paleo and Whole30 friendly!

Instead of Worcestershire and soy sauce, this recipe uses coconut aminos, which is made from reduced coconut sap and completely gluten-free and soy-free.

Then we just mix in some spices, brush this sauce on the wings and bake them in the oven. Easy peasy.

Just be sure to serve them with lots of napkins or moist towelettes!

 

What you need for Sticky Baked Apricot Wings

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup apricot jam (fruit-sweetened to keep it Paleo/Whole30)
  • 3 tablespoons coconut aminos
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2.5-3 pounds chicken wings (I like a combination of flats and drums; you could use all of one or the other if you prefer)

Equipment:

  • 2 stainless steel baking sheets
  • parchment paper
  • a large mixing bowl
  • a small mixing bowl
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • a whisk
  • a spatula (the kind for stirring, not flipping)
  • a pastry brush

a silicone pastry brush brushing an apricot jam and coconut aminos glaze over chicken wings on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet

How to make Sticky Baked Apricot Wings

First, heat the oven to 400°.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk the apricot jam, coconut aminos, mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper and ginger.

Transfer about half of this mixture to a small bowl and set aside.

Add the wings to the large bowl and use a spatula to toss them in the sauce, making sure they get evenly coated.

Spread the wings out on the two baking sheets, skin-side up.

Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Remove them from the oven and brush each wing with a bit more of the reserved sauce.

Place the sheets back in the oven (swap and rotate the pans, meaning the top one now goes on the bottom and vice versa, and the side that was toward the front of the oven is now toward the back).

Bake for another 10 minutes, then take them out and brush each wing with a bit more sauce again.

Bake for 10 more minutes (no need to swap and rotate the pans), until the wings are darker and caramelized around the edges.

If you have an extra sauce, brush it on the wings.

Let cool for 10 minutes, then dig in!

 

Substitutions and variations

  • Feel free to use any jam you like. One time I used blueberry jam and the wings were fantastic. Just keep in mind that if you use jam with sugar in it, the wings might burn more quickly so keep an eye on them.
  • You can use an equal amount of Worcestershire sauce instead of coconut aminos (but the recipe won’t be Paleo/Whole30).
  • You can use yellow, grainy or spicy brown mustard instead of Dijon.
  • Feel to add more cayenne pepper or to omit it entirely, depending on how spicy you like your wings.
  • The glaze would also be good on other kinds of chicken (drumsticks, breasts, thighs, etc.) or pork.

 

Make ahead/leftovers

The wings are good warm or at room temperature, so you can make them earlier in the day.

You can also store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bring them to room temperature or warm them in a low oven (300° for about 15-20 minutes) before serving.

a hand holding up an apricot glazed chicken wing over a white plate of more wings

Are chicken wings Paleo friendly?

Yep! The Paleo diet focuses on whole foods, as minimally processed as possible.

Any kind of chicken parts works with the paleo diet: wings, drumsticks, breasts, thighs, etc.

But then it depends on the recipe. If the wings are coated in flour, sugar or other non-Paleo foods, then it’s not a Paleo recipe.

Learn more about Paleo-friendly foods here or check out this Paleo pantry list.

 

Other recipes you might like

  1. Honey Mustard Chicken Wings
  2. Balsamic Jam Pork Chops
  3. Baked BBQ Chicken
  4. Oven BBQ Pork Chops
  5. Spiced Pork Chops with Cherry Sauce

 

Whole30 chicken wings on a white plate next to bowls of apricot jam and apricot BBQ sauce

Sticky Baked Apricot Wings (Paleo, Whole30)

Don Baiocchi
These Sticky Baked Apricot Wings are fun, easy and irresistible! A simple sauce with apricot jam and spices is glazed over juicy wings and then they're baked in the oven. And they're naturally gluten-free, Paleo and Whole30 friendly!
5 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup apricot jam (fruit-sweetened for Paleo/Whole30)
  • 3 tablespoons coconut aminos
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2½-3 pounds chicken wings (a combination of flats and drums; you could use all of one or the other if you prefer)

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oven to 400°.
  • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the apricot jam, coconut aminos, mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne and ginger. Pour half of this mixture into a small bowl and set aside.
  • Add the wings to the large bowl and toss to coat evenly. Spread the wings out on the baking sheets, skin-side up.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes.
  • Remove them from the oven and brush each wing with a bit more of the reserved sauce.
  • Place the sheets back in the oven (swap and rotate the pans, meaning the top one now goes on the bottom and vice versa, and the side that was toward the front of the oven is now toward the back).
  • Bake for another 10 minutes, then take them out and brush each wing with a bit more sauce again.
  • Bake for 10 more minutes (no need to swap and rotate the pans), until the wings are darker and caramelized around the edges. If you have an extra sauce, brush it on the wings. Let cool for 10 minutes, then dig in!

Notes

For a fruit-sweetened, Paleo/Whole30 jam, I like St. Dalfour and Bionaturae (not an ad, I just like them).
Substitutions and variations
  • Feel free to use any jam you like. One time I used blueberry jam and the wings were fantastic. Just keep in mind that if you use jam with sugar in it, the wings might burn more quickly so keep an eye on them.
  • You can use Worcestershire sauce instead of coconut aminos (but the recipe won't be Paleo/Whole30).
  • You can use yellow, grainy or spicy brown mustard instead of Dijon.
  • Feel to add more cayenne pepper or to omit it entirely, depending on how spicy you like your wings.
  • The glaze would also be good on other kinds of chicken (drumsticks, breasts, thighs, etc.) or pork.
Make ahead/leftovers
The wings are good warm or at room temperature, so you can make them earlier in the day.
You can also store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bring them to room temperature or warm them in a low oven (300° for about 15-20 minutes) before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 19gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 1400mgPotassium: 334mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 354IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
Keyword baked chicken wings, healthy wings, paleo wings, Whole30 wings
Tried this recipe?Mention @paleoglutenfreeguy or tag #paleoglutenfreeguy!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stacey Crawford says

    May 8, 2022 at 9:39 pm

    5 stars
    I love how sweet, tangy and sticky these wings are. such a great idea to use apricot jam.

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      May 10, 2022 at 2:37 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  2. jennifer says

    May 8, 2022 at 6:16 am

    5 stars
    That sauce tho!!! So delicious . . dare I say “finger licking good”! Also going to use this sauce on some grilled chicken breasts next week!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      May 10, 2022 at 2:37 pm

      I say ‘finger licking good’ is highly appropriate here. 🙂

      Reply
  3. ChihYu says

    May 4, 2022 at 6:04 pm

    5 stars
    You had me at chicken wings – these are SO GOOD! That glaze and the tender chicken! I could eat a whole pan!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      May 10, 2022 at 2:36 pm

      Me too! 😉 And thanks.

      Reply
  4. tina says

    May 4, 2022 at 1:50 pm

    5 stars
    These wings are so tasty! Do you think we can use air fryer instead of the oven?

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      May 4, 2022 at 2:15 pm

      Thanks! Unfortunately I don’t have an air fryer so I really can’t say. I might just have to bite the bullet and get one soon!

      Reply
      • Shelly says

        June 23, 2022 at 9:56 pm

        It is hot outside and I don’t want to start up the oven. Anyone yet try in the air fryer? I’m making homemade paleo jam and need a good dinner meal. Thanks!

        Reply
        • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

          June 25, 2022 at 11:23 am

          Unfortunately no, but if you try it in the air fryer please let me know how it goes!

          Reply
  5. Savannah says

    May 3, 2022 at 4:31 pm

    5 stars
    These sticky wings look incredible! Definitely on the dinner menu for this week. You make it look so easy!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      May 4, 2022 at 1:13 pm

      Thanks! I hope you enjoy them.

      Reply
  6. Shelby says

    May 3, 2022 at 8:29 am

    5 stars
    I never would have guessed apricot + wings would be a combo but these came out AMAZING

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      May 3, 2022 at 11:17 am

      Oh good, glad you liked them. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Janessa says

    May 2, 2022 at 3:36 pm

    5 stars
    These look amazing! I love anything sweet and savoury. Will definitely be making these for our next “snack night supper”!

    Reply
    • Paleo Gluten Free Guy says

      May 3, 2022 at 11:16 am

      Sounds like a great idea!

      Reply

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Well hello there! I’m Don, the creator behind Paleo Gluten Free Guy. I share fun, vibrant recipes for good health and pure enjoyment. All of my recipes are gluten-free and the majority of them are also Paleo, meaning they’re free of grains, dairy, refined sugar and legumes.

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