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Air Fryer Buffalo Wings have all of the crispiness without needing to deep fry – tossed in my homemade Buffalo Sauce, this recipe is INCREDIBLE! Be prepared to have your friends and family ask you to make these for every game day or gathering – they’re THAT GOOD!
Watch the Air Fryer Buffalo Wings Recipe Video Below!
Table of Contents
Why This is the Best Air Fryer Buffalo Wings Recipe!
My super crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings are consistently top 3 for “Air Fryer Chicken Wings” recipes on the internet AND is the top post on my blog! It has a secret ingredient that makes them crispy without having to deep fry. But tossed in my homemade Buffalo Sauce? These are INCREDIBLE.
The key is to not use any wing sauce but make your own – my homemade Buffalo Sauce tastes better than most restaurats! When people think of Buffalo Sauce, they think it’s simply Frank’s Hot sauce and extra butter but that’s not it!
Ingredient Tips
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements!
- chicken wings – you can use drums, flats, or a combination of the two. I like to buy chicken wings and break them down myself. I usually save the tips to make chicken broth. If you want to use the oven or the grill, make Baked Chicken Wings or Grilled Chicken Wings!
- kosher salt – the main difference between kosher salt and table salt is the size of the crystals – kosher salt has larger grains and I always prefer seasoning with it. If you only have table salt on hand, I would halve the amount of salt in this recipe, otherwise it will be too salty.
- baking powder – this is the key to my super crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings – the baking powder reacts with the chicken skin to raise the pH level and and creates tiny air bubbles, which also helps form a crispy coating.
- neutral oil – my go to is avocado oil; you can also use canola, grapeseed, or vegetable oil. Avoid olive oil or sesame oil.
Buffalo Sauce
Other recipes may call for less ingredients in their Buffalo Sauce – I promise, these additions are 100% worth it!
- Frank’s Hot Sauce – there is no other substitute! You must use Frank’s Hot Sauce when making Buffalo Sauce. It is classic for a good reason. (Also for Buffalo Chicken Dip!)
- Worcestershire sauce – a little goes a long way in adding an umami kick and deepening the flavors.
- garlic powder – if you prefer the flavor of raw garlic, you can substitute with that – or roasted garlic, for an extra garlic-y kick.
- celery seed – this is not only an essential ingredient for Bloody Mary’s but also the best Buffalo Sauce. I was inspired to add this ingredient because it’s in the original Buffalo sauce recipe from Buffalo, NY!
- cayenne pepper – just a little for a slight kick!
- distilled white vinegar – this adds acidity and a tanginess that is just like your favorite bar or restaurant’s wings
- unsalted butter – do not use salted butter, or your sauce will turn out salty!
Recipe Instructions
1. Season the Chicken Wings
The first step to a delicious chicken wing is seasoning them. Make sure your wings are completely dry (pat them dry with a paper towel) – it’ll help the seasoning stick better. Add the wings to a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Use a sifter to sift baking powder on to the chicken wings – if you don’t use a sifter, you run the risk of having clumps of baking powder, which does not taste great! Mix well.
Add neutral oil and mix again until each wing is well coated.
2. Air Fry the Wings
One key tip I don’t always see is to spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with an oil spray and then add the wings. This ensures the wings don’t stick to the air fryer basket. The extra oil will also help them crisp up. Make sure there is space around each wing so the air can circulate around and get them crispy. Air fry at 400F for 10 minutes.
Open the air fryer, flip the wings so they can cook evenly, and then air fry again for 7-12 minutes. This will depend on the size of your wings. You’ll know when the wings are done when the skin looks golden brown and crispy.
3. Make the Buffalo Sauce
While the wings are cooking, it’s time to make your Buffalo Sauce!
Add the sauce ingredients to a medium sized pot and mix well. Heat over medium heat until steaming and the sauce just begins to bubble (don’t let it get to boiling). Add the vinegar, mix, and turn off the heat. Add the cubed unsalted butter and mix until the butter has melted and the sauce is glossy.
4. Toss the Wings and Enjoy!
Once the wings are cooked and the sauce is done, all you have to do is toss! Add the cooked wings into a large bowl (larger is easier to mix/toss in) and add the Buffalo Sauce. Mix until combined and serve with Homemade Ranch!
What Should I Serve with Air Fryer Buffalo Wings?
Are you making these for game day or a gathering with friends and family? Check out all of my Game Day and Grilling recipes! If you want more chicken, make my Easy Fried Chicken, or Fried Chicken Tenders (or Air Fryer Chicken Tenders)! For dips, you have to make the classic Spinach Artichoke Dip or Queso Dip!
PRO TIPS
CJ’s Tips
- Pat the wings completely dry to remove moisture before seasoning them – it will help the seasoning stick better.
- Use a sifter to sift baking powder on to the chicken wings – if you don’t use a sifter, you run the risk of having clumps of baking powder, which does not taste great!
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with an oil spray and then add the wings. This ensures the wings don’t stick to the air fryer basket. The extra oil will also help them crisp up. Make sure there is space around each wing so the air can circulate around and get them crispy.
- Add the vinegar once the sauce is steaming to preserve the potency of the vinegar.
- The buffalo sauce can be adjusted to your preference: If upon tasting it is not spicy enough, add another 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper. If the sauce is too spicy, add 4 more tablespoons of butter. If you like the sauce more acidic, add more vinegar.
Storage, Reheating, and Make Ahead Tips
Store any leftover Air Fryer Buffalo Wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They’ll lose their crispiness as they’re stored in the refrigerator but they’ll still taste great! Reheat quickly in the microwave.
I don’t recommend making the wings ahead of time – they taste best fresh, crispy, and hot! If you want to save on time, you can make the homemade Buffalo Sauce ahead of time. Keep it stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until it’s time to toss the wings. Make sure to warm up the sauce (in the microwave or on the stove) – don’t toss your freshly air fried wings in cold sauce!
Store homemade Buffalo Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Use a clean utensil to spoon out any sauce – avoid getting any crumbs or contaminants in the sauce, otherwise it will go bad much faster.
If you tried this Air Fryer Buffalo Wings Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, finely ground
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
Buffalo Sauce
- 3/4 cup Frank’s Hot Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon celery seed
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into chunks
Instructions
- Pat the chicken wings completely dry with a paper towel. Add the wings to a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Sift the baking powder into the wings to avoid clumps, and mix to combine. Add the neutral oil and mix again until well coated.
- Spray the bottom layer of the air fryer basket with an oil spray, then add the wings. Air fry at 400F for 10 minutes.
- Flip the wings, then air fry for another 7-12 minutes (depending on the size of the wings) until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
- While the wings are air frying, to make the sauce add the hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, celery seed, and cayenne pepper to a medium pot and mix. Heat over medium heat until steaming and the sauce just begins to bubble, then add the vinegar and mix. Turn off the heat, then add the butter and mix until the butter has melted and the sauce is glossy.
- Add the cooked wings to a bowl and add the sauce. Mix until combined and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
