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Pineapple Coconut Chicken Wings

February 3, 2021 | Updated July 27, 2022 | Laura

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Most of my days are spent daydreaming about the beach. These pineapple coconut sticky chicken wings really help me mentally get there. The pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, cream of coconut, and sesame oil make the sauce extra sticky and extra delicious. The toasted coconut really makes these wings become a beachy flavor bomb!

Sticky, Sweet, and Tropical

The other day my husband and I were drinking Pina Coladas, and I came up with this great idea- a Pina Colada inspired chicken wing! My mind is usually at the beach most days so these chicken wings help me get to the beach, even if it is only mentally.

Super Bowl Sunday is coming up which means it is almost time to eat lots and lots of chicken wings! So let's get to the recipe!

If you are interested in the history of chicken wings, frying chicken science, and which method of cooking will give you the best chicken wings, you should check out my Cooking Laboratory Video!

Coconut Pineapple Sticky Sauce for Chicken Wings: Ingredients

*Some of these ingredient links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*

✽ Coconut Flakes: Toasting the coconut a bit before adding it in really helps bring out a sweet and nutty flavor. It's a simple step that makes a world of difference. For this recipe, you can use either unsweetened or sweetened coconut flakes.

✽ Pineapple Juice: The pineapple juice is going to add the most delicious flavor to this sauce and all that sugar helps make the sauce sticky. Freshly squeezed pineapple juice is going to taste the best, but store-bought is fine too. Though if you go with fresh, you can serve these wings with a slice of fresh pineapple which is oh so fun and summery!

✽ Cream of Coconut: The cream in coconut adds in more sticky sugar and helps add more yummy coconut flavor.

There is a difference between 'cream of coconut' and 'coconut cream' so make sure you're grabbing the right one at the store. Cream of coconut is a thick and sweet coconut syrup. It's commonly used in pina coladas!

✽ Brown Sugar: When the brown sugar and all the sugar from the cream of coconut and pineapple juice is heated, it will begin the caramelization stage which will make this sauce sticky and so delicious. Use either dark or light brown sugar.

✽ Soy Sauce: The salitness from the soy sauce will help break the sweetness from all the sugar a bit and provide that umami flavor we all love.

✽ Sesame Oil: I love the bit of seseame flavor in this sauce. I like to use toasted sesame oil, but regular seseame oil will work just fine too.

How to Make Pineapple Coconut Chicken Wing Sauce

➊ The first thing to do is toast some coconut flakes! Put 1 cup of coconut flakes into a dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat until it becomes lightly browned and very fragrant. I just love that coconut smell! Takes me straight to the beach every time.

➋ Next up, in a medium saucepan, put in the toasted coconut, 2 cups pineapple juice, 1 cup cream of coconut, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil.

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce the heat to low to keep a simmer for about 5-10 minutes. It should thicken up, and as it cools, it should become even thicker. Remove from heat and set aside while you wait for your chicken wings to finish cooking.

➌ Once your chicken wings are done, cover them in the sauce. I like to pile on the coconut flakes. Put the wings back into the air fryer or oven for about 3-5 more minutes to really crisp up that coconut.

Now fill up your plate, close your eyes, and pretend your sitting with your feet in the water somewhere tropical and enjoy!

What to Serve with a Pineapple Coconut Chicken Wings

✽ Air-fryer French Fries; Wings and french fries are the perfect pair. Try this air-fryer French fries recipe for fries that remind me of McDonalds!

✽ Homemade Ranch Dressing; Gotta have a delicious big bowl of ranch dressing when having wings.

✽ Pineapple Coconut Beach Cocktail; This cocktail with these wings will really make you feel like you are at the beach!

Pineapple Coconut Chicken Wings

By Laura | Laura the Gastronaut
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings [48 wings]

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Most of my days are spent daydreaming about the beach. These pineapple coconut sticky chicken wings really help me mentally get there. The pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, cream of coconut, and sesame oil make the sauce extra sticky and extra delicious. The toasted coconut really makes these wings become a beachy flavor bomb!

*Some of these ingredient links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*

Ingredients

• 48 chicken wings
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup coconut flakes
• 2 cups pineapple juice
• 1 cup cream of coconut
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Instructions

*Here I instruct how to cook the wings in the air fryer. For other methods (oven, deep fried, and Instant Pot), see the Notes section below the recipe.*
➊ Lightly salt the chicken wings.
➋ Working in batches (I can fit about 10-12 wings comfortably in my air fryer), cook wings at 360°F for 12 minutes. After 12 minutes, flip the wings and continue cooking at 360°F for an additional 12 minutes. Cook wings until they have reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
➌ Meanwhile, toast the coconut flakes in a dry skillet for 3-5 minutes over medium-low heat until it begins to lightly brown and become fragrant.
➍ In a medium saucepan, stir together toasted coconut, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, brown sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce heat to low to maintain a simmer. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until it begins to thicken. Set aside and allow to cool.
➎ Once wings have cooked for 12 minutes each side (for a total of 24 minutes), cover them in the pineapple coconut sauce until well covered. I like to pile the coconut mixture on top of the wings for extra flavor!
➏ Place wings back into air fryer and cook at 400°F for an additional 3 minutes to crisp coconut.
Serve wings with homemade ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, French fries, and/or a pineapple coconut beach cocktail!

Notes

Oven Method: To cook the wings in the oven, salt them and bake for 40 minutes at 450°F. Cover the wings with the pineapple coconut sauce, and put back in oven for about 3-5 more minutes until the coconut on top is crispy.

Instant Pot + Broiler Method: Salt the wings and pour about 3/4 cup of water into the bottom of your Instant Pot. Working in batches, place wings on a trivet and cook at high pressure for 6 minutes. Let it naturally release for 10 minutes. Cover the wings with the pineapple coconut sauce and broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes until the coconut on top is crispy.

Deep Fried: Salt the wings and place in fridge until ready to use. Heat 2 inches of oil into a Dutch oven (or a large heavy bottomed pot) until the oil reaches 375°F. Working in batches, fry the wings for 8-10 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Once cooked, place on a paper towel-lined plate. When cool enough to handle, cover the wings in the pineapple coconut sauce.

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✽ Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a comment below and sharing on Instagram. Tag @laurathegastronaut and hashtag it #laurathegastronaut.

Category: Appetizers & Snacks, Chicken, Super Bowl, Summer Cuisine: American
Keywords: coconut chicken wings, pineapple chicken wings, pineapple coconut chicken, aloha chicken wings recipe, sticky coconut chicken, coconut wings

More Summer Recipes:

✽ Boozy Italian Cream Soda (a super refreshing, tasty, and boozy treat to help you cool down)
✽ Pineapple Jello Shots (these pineapple shots are perfect for summer pool parties)
✽ Watermelon Vodka Jello Shots (nothing says summer like some boozy watermelon treats)
→ Check out all of my summer recipes!

Bon appétit!

February 3, 2021 by Laura Ehlers

*This Pineapple Coconut Chicken Wing blog post and recipe may contain some Amazon affiliate links. These link to products that I personally use and recommend. If you purchase anything using my links, it will not cost you anything. It will though give laurathegastronaut.com some financial support which helps me keep this blog running. Thank you for reading my blogs and your continued support.