Name: Pok Pok-Style Hot Wings with Peanuts and Cilantro
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Yield: Serves 4–6
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken wings, tips removed, drumettes and flats separated, patted dry; 2 teaspoons vegetable oil; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 cup sugar; 1/2 medium garlic clove, finely grated; 1/4 cup fish sauce; 1–2 jalapeño or serrano chiles, stemmed, seeded, finely chopped; 1/2 cup finely chopped roasted peanuts; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

A blue ceramic plate of pok pok hot wings on top of gingham dishcloths.

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Katherine Sacks

Want crispy and delicious wings fast? Avoid the mess of frying oil and go for a quick oven-roast. Inspired by the version served by chef Andy Ricker at his Brooklyn and Portland Pok Pok restaurants, these wings get doused in a sweet and savory glaze and rolled in a spicy, crunchy topping.

Recipe information

Total Time
35 minutes
Yield
Serves 4–6

Ingredients

For the wings:

2 pounds chicken wings, tips removed, drumettes and flats separated, patted dry

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the glaze:

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 medium garlic clove, finely grated

1/4 cup fish sauce

For serving:

1–2 jalapeño or serrano chiles, stemmed, seeded, finely chopped

1/2 cup finely chopped roasted peanuts

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

Cook the wings:
Step 1
Preheat oven to 500°F. Set a wire rack inside a large rimmed baking sheet. Toss wings, oil, and salt in a large bowl. Arrange wings in a single layer on rack and bake until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through, about 30 minutes.
Make the glaze:
Step 2
Heat a small saucepan over medium. Sprinkle a thin layer of sugar into pan, let melt, then add another layer (no stirring necessary). Repeat until all sugar is melted and turns into a syrup. Cook the syrup undisturbed until it becomes deep amber in color and smells nutty, 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in garlic and fish sauce (it might splatter); stir until smooth.
Serve the wings:
Step 3
Place cooked wings in a large bowl and toss well with glaze to coat. Add jalapeños, peanuts, and cilantro, toss, and serve.

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

31 Ways to Make Wings for Game Day (or Any Day)
There are so many ways to sauce a chicken wing.
Our 84 Spiciest Recipes
Can you handle the heat?
91 Sensational Ways to Use Cilantro
This refreshing, citrusy herb improves just about everything.
23 Sweet and Salty Ways to Cook With Peanuts
Don't be a goober, just eat one.
How to Make Spicy Vietnamese-Style Chicken Wings
Fish sauce and caramel make these wings more flavorful and (dare we say) better than Buffalo.
Our Best Chicken Wing Recipes
Going beyond those bottles of hot sauce and blue cheese dressing.
11 Ways to Use Cilantro
This leafy green herb can be a whole lot more than just a simple garnish.
The Easiest Way to Cook Real Thai Food at Home
The master of authentic Thai food didn't mean to teach me these easy flavor tricks. But he did anyway.