Instant Pot Chicken Wings with a delicious sticky cola sauce make the best appetizer for any event or game day. Make these restaurant quality wings in 1/2 of the time!
These tender chicken wings cook in under 30 minutes which makes them such a quick and easy snack or appetizer. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce… wing sauce, blue cheese dressing, or even hot sauce!
These non-spicy chicken wings are something the whole family can enjoy. The sticky cola sauce gives the wings a slightly sweet flavor that’s perfectly balanced with soy sauce (we use gluten-free) and paprika.
Although you can add whatever sauce you’d like to this recipe, the cola sauce is our favorite! We also love making our super bowl charcuterie board when we serve these wings. It sets the perfect tone for any sporting event.
Not only does the instant pot make delicious appetizers, but dinners are cooked extremely fast as well! Mississippi chicken Instant Pot style and instant pot broccoli cheddar soup are easy recipes as well as our Instant Pot country style ribs and our instant pot chicken noodle soup!
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Why use the Instant Pot over an oven?
Since most recipes want you to bake them for hours or deep fry them. I like that the Instant pot keeps this recipe healthy while also taking less time than the oven. Instant pot recipes are great for quick dinners and easy clean up!
Ingredients for instant pot wings
This is one of the easiest instant pot recipes because there’s only 5 ingredients! Another great thing about this recipe is the fact that you can customize the sauce and spices to your liking.
Chicken wings
You want whole wings for this recipe which can be found at a local grocery story. I like using fresh chicken wings instead of frozen chicken wings for a more authentic taste.
Cola Soda
The soda gives these delicious chicken wings a great flavor! If you’re using your favorite sauce like hot sauce, homemade buffalo sauce, bbq sauce, etc. they will still be delicious with this sauce.
Brown sugar
Brown sugar adds extra sweetness but mostly helps the sauce form a nice sticky texture. The sweetness is balanced with soy sauce and paprika.
Spices
We like to use paprika in this chicken wing recipe but you can use a number of different spices. Garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, black pepper, salt, etc. are all great options.
How to make Instant Pot chicken wings
Step 1: Place dry chicken wings in the Instant Pot in a single layer
Step 2: Pour the can of cola and gluten-free soy sauce over the wings and sprinkle brown sugar and paprika
Step 3: Seal the lid and pressure cook for 8 minutes on high pressure. Once the time is up, let it natural pressure release for 10 minutes
Step 4: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to broil
Step 5: Remove the chicken wings and place them on a greased baking sheet
Step 6: Reduce the liquid in the pot by 2/3 then add brown sugar using the sauté function until sticky
Step 7: Pour the sauce over chicken wings and broil 5-7 minutes or until crispy
Step 8: Remove and serve with additional sticky sauce
Pro tip: The best way to serve these crispy wings is with celery sticks and ranch dressing!
Here’s a keto chicken wings recipe too if that’s more your thing.
Yes you can cook frozen chicken wings in an air fryer. An air fryer is the best way to get crispy chicken wings but the inside of the wings might not be as tender. A combination of Instant Pot and air fryer/broil gives you tender wings with a crispy outside.
Cooked chicken wings in the Instant Pot are much healthier than deep fried wings. Pressure cooking doesn’t require any oil and also has a shorter cook time than frying as well.
Fresh chicken will cook in 8-10 minutes while frozen chicken will cook in 10-12 minutes. After cooking you should do a natural release then broil or air fry for a crispy outside.
How to store chicken wings
You can store these chicken wings in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. We recommend waiting until your chicken is completely cooled then storing in an airtight container. Adding a paper towel to the bottom of the container is a good way to soak up excess moisture or sauce.
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Instant Pot Chicken Wings with Sticky Cola Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 lb. chicken wings
- 8 ounces cola
- 2/3 C brown sugar divided
- 2 T gluten-free soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
Instructions
- Pat dry the chicken wings with paper towels
- Place the chicken wings in the bottom of the Instant Pot
- Pour the can of cola and gluten-free soy sauce over the wings
- Sprinkle with 1/3 C brown sugar and smoked paprika
- Seal the lid and pressure cook for 8 minutes on high
- Once the time is up, let it naturally release for 10 minutes
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to broil
- Do a quick release on the Instant Pot
- Remove the chicken wings and place them on a greased baking sheet
- Press the saute button on the Instant Pot and reduce the liquid by 2/3
- Add 1/3 C brown sugar and continue reducing until sticky and syrupy
- Pour the sauce over chicken wings and broil 5-7 minutes or until crispy
- Remove and serve with additional sticky sauce
Notes
Nutrition
*This post was originally published on September 28, 2018 and has since been updated with more information.
Jen says
What would you use if you can’t find the dry zero cola? Just regular cola?
Chandice says
Yes any cola will work 🙂