Make some crispy wings for lunch or a party appetizer. These air fryer buffalo chicken wings are spicy and really easy to make. One of the most popular foods for game-day parties is chicken wings – and few flavors are as famous as buffalo.
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Buffalo chicken wings might be really messy, but they are a lot of fun to eat! When you set out a plate of these wings, people are going to eat them up. They are the perfect tailgating food. We serve them along with some raw veggies and chips and dip.
The surprising thing about this air fryer buffalo chicken wings recipe is how healthy it actually is. It’s gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free. It fits in with so many different diets that it’s a perfect crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
There are two parts to this recipe – the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients.
I used a really simple rub with just 4 common spices. You can use this rub on other entrees too – like chicken breasts or tofu. It’s one of my favorite combinations of spices.
I used garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and kosher salt.
Process
Here are some step-by-step photos and tips that will show you how to cook chicken wings in the air fryer.
I prefer making them in the air fryer because it makes them extra crispy without using lots of unhealthy oils and frying them. This is a really easy recipe that comes together quickly too.
The first thing you need to do is combine the spices for the rub and rub them all over the chicken wings (pictures 1 and 2).
The fastest way to do this is to put all the wings in a large bowl, add the spices on top of them, and then use your hands or a silicone spatula to mix the wings so that they are all completely and evenly covered in the spices.
Next, place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer (picture 3). About halfway through cooking, pull out the basket and turn the wings over (picture 4).
This is how you make your wings crispy – when the time is up, increase the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F. Now, cook the wings for 5 more minutes.
After they are cooked and crispy, place the wings in another large mixing bowl. Drizzle them with Frank’s red hot sauce and the melted butter. This hot sauce is what gives it that memorable Buffalo flavor. Use more or less depending on how spicy you want it.
Tips
If you buy whole wings, you will have to cut them in half and separate the wingettes from the drumettes and discard the tips. Save yourself time and buy Bell Evan’s wings that are already cut in half.
Depending on the size of the wingettes and drumettes you may need to adjust the cooking time. I like to use a digital thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature of the thickest part is at least 165°F (75°C).
Serve your chicken wings with your favorite bleu cheese or ranch dipping sauce.
FAQ
Yes, you can use frozen chicken wings. You just need to air fry them for 5 minutes longer before you increase the temperature for the last 5 minutes to crisp them up.
Yes, pat them dry to remove any excess moisture. If you defrosted frozen wings and they are particularly wet, make sure to pat them dry with a paper towel.
If your air fryer’s temperature doesn’t go up to 400 degrees, just cook them at the highest temperature it goes for the last 5 minutes.
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat simply pop them in the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes at 350 degrees.
Related Recipes
Here are some more of my favorite appetizers and snacks that will go perfectly with these wings:
And here are a few fun sweet snacks that will pair well with the spicy wings:
Recipe
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings ~ 20 cut wings**
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup franks red hot sauce
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, about 1-minute. Stir in the hot sauce. Reserve
- Place the chicken wings in a large bowl and pat dry the chicken wings with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Add salt, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper and mix well coating the wings evenly with all the seasonings.
- Lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Line the wings in the basket keeping some room around each wing for the air to circulate. Do not overcrowd, depending on the size of your Air Fryer basket you may need to cook in batches.
- Cook the wings for 15 minutes at 370°F (190°C). Shake the basket halfway through, so the wings cook evenly.
- When the time is up, shake the basket, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 5 more minutes or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Take out the cooked wings in a large bowl and drizzle the hot sauce over. Gently mix so the wings are coated all over with the sauce.
- Serve immediately with ranch or bleu cheese dressing along with carrot and celery sticks.
Video
Notes
- I like Bell Evan’s wings that are already cut in half. If you have whole wings make sure to cut them into half (wingettes and drumettes) and discard the tips.
- Depending on the size of the wingettes and drumettes you may need to adjust the cooking time. I like to use a digital thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature of the thickest part is at least 165°F (75°C)
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Oven – Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line up wings on a greased grilling rack. Place the rack on top of the baking tray to catch all the drippings. Bake the wings for about 20-25 mins (in a convection oven) or up to 40 mins.
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Outdoor Grill – Wings can also be cooked on a preheated outdoor grill at 400 degrees F. Grease the grill grates and place the wings on the grates. Cook for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part is at least 165°F (75°C)
LESLIE DSOUZA says
Hi How does one make it in a Regular Oven I dont have an Air Fryer
Archana says
I have added oven instructions to the notes in the recipe card.
Kristen says
So good! Instead of tossing them in buffalo sauce, we used parmesan garlic. Yum! Thanks for sharing!
Linda says
Made these tonight for Super Bowl. My super picky peeps rated it make again. I have a toaster oven style air fryer so I cooked at 370 for 12 Minutes and flipped and cooked for 12 minutes then 5 minutes on 400. I also added 1 tsp of brown sugar.
Alicia Ross says
Made these for Super Bowl Sunday and these were a hit! My entire family loved them and have been requesting them ever since! Has definitely become a staple recipe in my household!