Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, Buffalo chicken wings are a culinary treasure. These succulent, flavor-packed morsels have a magical way of brightening up any gathering with their spicy kick and savory goodness. It’s hard to resist their alluring golden hue, and once you take a bite, the combination of buttery sauce and zesty heat will have you craving more. Whether you’re hosting game night, attending a barbecue, or simply satisfying a weekend snack attack, these wings bring an irresistible allure that elevates every occasion.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Wings
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Buffalo Chicken Wings

My journey with Buffalo chicken wings started at my favorite local pub, where their wings were practically legendary. After many attempts to recreate that flavor at home, I finally crafted my own go-to recipe. This version is simple, quick, and made with just a handful of ingredients. Trust me, nothing beats the comfort of biting into your homemade wings just the way you want them—crispy, flavorful, and oh-so-satisfying. Once you give this recipe a try, you’ll never go back to takeout!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With just 10 minutes of prep and about an hour in the oven, you can whip these up in no time.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of garlic powder, buttery hot sauce, and a hint of sweetness makes for a mouthwatering experience.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Their golden, crispy skin will leave your friends and family excited before they even take a bite.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for casual snacks, parties, or even a light meal any day of the week.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adapt this recipe to be gluten-free by using a gluten-free baking powder.

Ingredients You’ll Need

3 lb chicken wings: Use fresh or thawed wings, split and with the wingtips removed for the best crispiness.
1 tbsp baking powder: Use aluminum-free for optimal crispiness without unwanted metallic taste.
1 tsp fine sea salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps achieve a nice sear on the wings.
2 tsp garlic powder: Adds that delicious savory kick that we all love in Buffalo-style dishes.
1/4 cup unsalted butter: Provides richness and balances out the heat from the hot sauce.
1/4 cup Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce: The classic choice that gives Buffalo wings their signature taste.
1 tbsp granulated sugar or brown sugar: A touch of sweetness to counteract the heat and round out the flavor profile.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Wings

Prepare the Chicken: Thoroughly pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to ensure they get crispy. Excess moisture can lead to soggy wings, and nobody wants that! Preheat your oven to 450°F, making it nice and hot for that perfect bake. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top to allow air circulation around the wings.

Season the Wings: In a bowl, combine 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp fine sea salt, and 2 tsp garlic powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the wings and toss them all together to coat. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the prepared wire rack. This setup not only promotes crispiness but makes cleanup a breeze.

Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken wings for about 25 minutes. When the timer goes off, you’ll want to flip them over to ensure even cooking and maximize that delightful crispiness. Bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the wings are crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden brown and fragrant, making it harder to resist that first taste.

Prepare the Sauce: While your wings are baking, combine 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 1/4 cup Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce, and 1 tbsp granulated sugar (or brown sugar) in a medium-size bowl. Stir them together until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is well combined. This sauce will coat your wings in a flavorful glaze.

Coat the Wings: Once the wings are out of the oven, transfer them to a large bowl. Drizzle the sauce over the wings and toss gently until they are well coated in that fiery sauce. Don’t be shy; the more sauce, the merrier! Serve them immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, like a cool ranch or creamy blue cheese, to balance the heat.

Storing & Reheating

To store leftover wings at room temperature, let them cool completely before placing them in an airtight container; they’ll be good for about 2 hours. For longer storage, refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months—just be sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. To reheat, pop them back in the oven at 375°F for about 10-15 minutes until heated through. They might lose a bit of their crispy texture, so a quick broil for the last few minutes can refresh their crunch beautifully.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid the common mistake of not drying the wings enough; moisture is a big enemy of crispiness.
Make sure your chicken is room temperature before cooking; this helps achieve more even cooking.
Give your wings plenty of space on the wire rack to ensure they bake evenly for ideal air circulation.
Experiment with sauces! Try adding some cayenne for extra heat or other spices to create your signature sauce.
If making ahead, coat and bake the wings, then cool before tossing in the sauce. You can reheat and sauce just before serving.

It’s hard not to fall in love with the bold, spicy flavor of these wings. They’re a true joy to make, and the satisfaction of serving your very own crispy Buffalo chicken wings to friends and family is unbeatable. Try experimenting with different sauces or sides, and soon enough, this recipe might just become a household staple!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken wings?

Absolutely! If you use frozen wings, be sure to thaw them completely before patting them dry. This ensures maximum crispiness.

What should I serve with Buffalo chicken wings?

These wings pair wonderfully with crunchy vegetables, like celery and carrots, and traditional dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese dressing. You could also serve them alongside a refreshing salad.

Can I make these wings in an air fryer?

Yes! For air fryer lovers, you can cook them at 375°F for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway. They can turn out just as crispy and delicious!

How can I make these wings spicier?

If you’re looking to amp up the heat, consider adding more hot sauce to the butter mixture or incorporating spicy seasonings like cayenne pepper into the seasoning mix before baking. Enjoy experimenting!

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Buffalo Chicken Wings

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

These Buffalo Chicken Wings are a must-try! With a crispy exterior and a zesty sauce, they’re perfect for parties or a cozy dinner at home. Simple to make and oh so delicious!

Ingredients

Scale

3 lb chicken wings, wings and drummettes split, wingtips removed
1 tbsp baking powder, (use aluminum free)
1 tsp fine sea salt
2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup franks original red hot sauce
1 tbsp granulated sugar, or brown sugar

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Instructions

Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel before beginning.
Preheat the oven to 450˚F. Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
Mix the baking powder, salt, and garlic powder in a bowl, then sprinkle this mixture over the chicken, tossing to coat evenly. Set the chicken on the wire rack.
Bake the wings for 25 minutes, then flip them and continue baking for another 25 minutes until they are crispy.
Combine the melted butter, hot sauce, and sugar in a medium bowl. Once the chicken is done, transfer it to this bowl and toss until coated. Enjoy with your preferred dipping sauce.

Notes

Using aluminum-free baking powder helps achieve a great crispiness.
For extra flavor, let the chicken marinate in the spice mix for a few hours before baking.