Korean Hot Wings

Ingredients

• 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons barbeque sauce
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chile-garlic sauce (such as Sriracha) (optional)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Asian (toasted) sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 quart peanut oil for frying, or as needed
• 4 pounds chicken wings
• 2 tablespoons lemon-pepper seasoning, or to taste (optional)

Directions

Stir soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, barbeque sauce, garlic, vinegar, chile-garlic sauce, pepper, sesame oil, and ginger together in a saucepan; bring to a boil.

Whisk cornstarch and water together in a small bowl; stir into the sauce. Remove from heat and set aside to cool and thicken.

Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 360 degrees F (182 degrees C).

Season chicken wings with lemon-pepper seasoning.

Fry chicken wings in batches of 6 to 8 at a time in hot oil until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 6 to 8 minutes per batch. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the meatiest part of the wing, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Put cooked wings into a large mixing bowl. Ladle sauce over the wings and toss to coat.