Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ultra-crispy wings without deep frying
• Cooks faster than oven or stovetop methods
• Classic buffalo wing flavor with easy prep
• Healthier than traditional fried wings
• Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor
• Easy to double for feeding a crowd
• Perfect for appetizers, parties, or game day snacks
• Simple to customize spice level
• Great for keto and low-carb diets
• Delicious with ranch, blue cheese, or celery sticks

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Chicken wings (split into flats and drumettes)
• Baking powder (aluminum-free)
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Unsalted butter
• Hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
• Optional: cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for extra heat

Directions

1. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels—this step is key for crispy skin.
2. In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
4. Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd.
5. Cook for 25–28 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
6. While wings are cooking, melt butter in a saucepan and mix with hot sauce. Adjust spice level to taste.
7. Once wings are done, transfer them to a clean bowl and toss immediately in the buffalo sauce.
8. Serve hot with ranch or blue cheese dressing, and celery or carrot sticks.

Servings and timing

Makes about 4 servings.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25–28 minutes
Total time: 35–40 minutes

Variations

• Spicier wings: Add cayenne pepper or extra hot sauce to the buffalo mix.
• Milder option: Use less hot sauce or mix with honey or BBQ sauce.
• Garlic parmesan: Skip buffalo sauce and toss with melted butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese.
• Lemon pepper: Toss wings in lemon pepper seasoning before air frying.
• Sweet heat: Mix hot sauce with honey or maple syrup for a sweet-spicy combo.
• Asian-inspired: Toss with a mix of soy sauce, sriracha, and honey instead of buffalo sauce.
• Dry rub: Use your favorite spice blend and skip the sauce altogether for dry-style wings.

Storage/Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftover wings in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked wings for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen.
• Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 5–7 minutes until hot and crispy again.

FAQs

Can I use frozen wings?

Yes, but thaw them completely and pat dry before seasoning for best results.

Why do I need baking powder?

It helps draw out moisture and creates extra-crispy skin when air fried.

Can I stack the wings in the air fryer?

It’s best to cook in a single layer to ensure even crisping. Cook in batches if needed.

What kind of hot sauce works best?

Frank’s RedHot is classic, but you can use any preferred brand or spice level.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, cook the wings and store them. Reheat in the air fryer and toss in sauce just before serving.

How do I make them less spicy?

Use mild hot sauce or add melted butter to dilute the heat.

Can I use drumsticks or thighs instead?

Yes, but adjust the cooking time for larger cuts—about 5–10 minutes longer.

Are these wings keto-friendly?

Yes, they’re low in carbs and great for keto when using a sugar-free hot sauce.

Can I use oil in this recipe?

It’s not necessary, but you can lightly spray the wings with oil for even more crispiness.

What’s the best dipping sauce?

Classic ranch or blue cheese dressing pairs perfectly with buffalo wings.

Conclusion

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings are a must-try for wing lovers looking for crispy texture without the hassle of frying. With bold flavor, simple prep, and a healthier cooking method, these wings are perfect for everything from parties to weeknight snacks. Once you try them, you’ll never go back to deep frying.

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings are crispy, juicy, and tossed in classic buffalo sauce—all with less oil and mess than traditional frying. Perfect for game day or easy weeknight snacking!

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25–28 minutes
• Total Time: 35–40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Air Fryer
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings (split into flats and drumettes)
• 1 tbsp baking powder (aluminum-free)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
• Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika

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Instructions

1. Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. In a large bowl, toss wings with baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper until evenly coated.
3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
4. Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd—cook in batches if needed.
5. Cook for 25–28 minutes, flipping halfway, until wings are golden and crispy.
6. While wings cook, melt butter in a small saucepan. Stir in hot sauce and optional cayenne or paprika. Set aside.
7. Once wings are done, toss immediately in buffalo sauce to coat evenly.
8. Serve hot with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Notes

• Dry wings = crispier texture. Don’t skip patting them dry.
• For extra crispy skin, increase cook time by 2–3 minutes or let wings rest uncovered in fridge before air frying.
• Taste and adjust sauce heat with more butter (milder) or hot sauce (spicier).

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5–6 wings
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 760mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 105mg