Littler averaged 99.58 and hit four 180s in the final, producing a late surge to pull away from Wade and seal back-to-back titles at Butlin’s Minehead Resort.
The world No. 1 raced into a 3-0 lead before Wade cut the deficit to 3-2 by the first interval. Wade continued to apply pressure and drew level at 6-6 despite trailing significantly in the averages, but a crucial 116 checkout in the 15th leg sparked Littler into life as the teenager reeled off four consecutive legs to close out the victory.
It is Littler’s second UK Open title after claiming his first -- also against Wade -- last year. The 19-year-old becomes only the fourth player to retain the title after Raymond van Barneveld, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, and the first since Van Gerwen in 2016. The victory also earned him the £120,000 top prize.
“I don’t think it’s been the best of tournaments for myself, averages-wise, but I’ve dug deep throughout the tournament, and I’ve come out with the win,” Littler said.
“James is always on your back. If he had hit some of those darts at double top, it would have been a completely different game, but we always have a good battle.
“I had a little dry spell, but I think I can say I’m back.”
Littler had earlier begun finals day with a 10-6 victory over Danny Noppert, checking out 161 and winning five of the last six legs to progress.
He then recovered from 5-1 down against Josh Rock in the semi-finals, overcoming a run of 16 missed doubles to claim an 11-9 win and reach the final.
The teenager had also beaten Damon Heta, Kevin Doets and Gary Anderson earlier in the tournament on his way through the 157-player field.
Wade, meanwhile, defeated Chris Dobey in a deciding leg before wins over Gabriel Clemens and Van Gerwen secured his place on finals day.
The 42-year-old edged another decider against Rob Cross in the quarter-finals and then produced one of the performances of the tournament to beat Gerwyn Price 11-8 in the semi-finals, averaging more than 105 and hitting 11 maximums.
Despite his run to a fifth UK Open final, Wade was unable to deny Littler once again.
“Luke was just too good for me there in the end,” Wade said. “He’s the best player in the world at the moment, and unfortunately, I’ve lost to him in three finals.”
Results
Afternoon session
Quarter-finals
Josh Rock 10-7 Krzysztof Ratajski
James Wade 10-9 Rob Cross
Luke Littler 10-6 Danny Noppert
Gerwyn Price 10-8 Jonny Clayton
Evening session
Semi-finals
James Wade 11-8 Gerwyn Price
Luke Littler 11-9 Josh Rock
Final
Luke Littler 11-7 James Wade