how long to bake chicken wings at 400

Most standard-size chicken wings bake in about 40–50 minutes at 400°F (204°C), until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part.

Quick Scoop: Time & Temperature

• Oven temp: 400°F (about 204°C).

• Time range: 40–50 minutes for fresh, unfrozen wings.

• Doneness check: Use a meat thermometer; wings are safely cooked at 165°F internal, but many people like going closer to 175–185°F for more tender, “fall-off-the-bone” texture.

• Texture goal: Golden brown, blistered skin, juices running clear.

Simple step‑by‑step

1. Pat wings very dry with paper towels (this is key for crisp skin).

2. Toss with a little oil plus salt, pepper, and optional baking powder for extra crispiness.

3. Arrange on a rack over a sheet pan, or on parchment in a single layer with space between wings.

4. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes.

5. Flip, then bake another 20–25 minutes, checking for 165°F+ internal temperature and nicely browned skin.

6. Toss in sauce (buffalo, BBQ, etc.) right before serving so the skin stays crispy.

Variations you might see

• Some recipes keep 400°F but shorten the time slightly (about 35–45 minutes) if using smaller wings or convection.

• Others start at 400°F for ~40 minutes, then crank to 425°F for an extra 10–15 minutes to really crisp the skin.

• If wings are baked from frozen, total time can exceed 80–100 minutes with a temperature increase toward the end (for example, starting at 375°F and finishing at 400°F).

Safety and doneness checks

• Always rely on internal temperature more than the clock: insert a thermometer into the thickest part without touching bone.

• If they aren’t browned enough at 50 minutes but are already at 165°F, you can give them a brief broil (2–4 minutes, watching closely) to amp up the char.

TL;DR: For “classic” oven wings, plan on 40–50 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway, and confirm with a thermometer rather than just time.