These air fryer buffalo wings have a crispy golden coating and a buttery spicy buffalo sauce. They’re just as crispy and juicy as deep fried wings without all the extra grease.
I’ve been on a wings kick lately, and I knew I could not skip the ultimate classic: buffalo wings.
This recipe ate.
The air fryer gave the wings that crispy golden exterior I wanted without the heaviness of traditional fried wings. The sauce had everything a good buffalo sauce should have: tangy, spicy, buttery, and savory all at once. I genuinely could not stop eating these.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Wing Recipe
- Crispy Wings Without Deep Frying. The air fryer gives the wings a golden crispy exterior without all the extra oil.
- Easy Buffalo Sauce. The buttery buffalo sauce comes together in just a few minutes with simple ingredients.
- Great for Parties or Dinner. These wings work just as well for game day snacks as they do for an easy dinner at home.
- Better Than Takeout. Fresh homemade wings straight from the air fryer taste hard to beat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These air fryer buffalo wings use surprisingly simple ingredients, though they still taste just as good as restaurant-style wings.
- Chicken wings are the star of the recipe, so use fresh wings if possible for the best texture. I recommend party wings since they’re already separated into flats and drumettes.
- Cornstarch helps create a light crispy coating in the air fryer.
- Baking powder: A little baking powder helps dry out the skin and coating, which gives the wings a crispier exterior. Use aluminum-free baking powder if possible to avoid any bitter aftertaste.
- Garlic powder adds savory flavor throughout the wings and coating.
- Hot sauce: Frank’s RedHot gives these wings that classic buffalo flavor, though you can use another cayenne-style hot sauce if you prefer.
- Melted butter balances the heat from the hot sauce and gives the buffalo sauce a rich smooth texture.
- Honey or brown sugar: A small amount of sweetness helps round out the tangy spicy flavor of the buffalo sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce adds extra savory depth and makes the buffalo sauce taste more balanced and flavorful.
Best Buffalo Sauce for Air Fryer Wings
This buffalo sauce recipe is buttery, tangy, spicy, and so easy to make.
Simply whisk together melted butter, hot sauce, honey or brown sugar, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Taste the sauce, then add salt only if needed.
How to Cook Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
1. Season the wings.
Pat the chicken wings very dry, then season them with salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Let them sit for at least 20 minutes.
2. Coat the wings.
Mix the cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl. Dredge the wings in the mixture, then let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Air fry the wings.
Spray the air fryer basket with oil, arrange the wings in a single layer, then spray the tops with more oil. Air fry at 370°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Increase the heat to 450°F and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the wings look golden and crisp.
4. Toss in sauce.
Transfer the wings to a bowl and toss with buffalo sauce until evenly coated. Serve right away.
Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
- Pat the Wings Very Dry. Less moisture helps the wings crisp up much better in the air fryer.
- Spray the Wings with Oil. A light coating of oil helps the outside turn golden and crispy instead of dry or powdery.
- Leave Space Between the Wings. Air needs room to circulate around each piece for even browning.
- Adjust the Cook Time if Needed. Larger wings and smaller air fryers may need extra time. If the wings have not browned enough, air fry them a little longer until the outside looks crisp and golden.
What to Serve With Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Creamy Dips such as ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing. The cool creamy flavor balances the heat from the buffalo sauce.
- Crunchy Vegetables like celery sticks, carrot sticks, and cucumber slices. Fresh vegetables add crunch and help lighten up the wings.
- Crispy Sides such as French fries, sweet potato fries, or potato wedges. Buffalo wings and crispy potatoes always work well together.
- Cold Salads like coleslaw, macaroni salad, or potato salad. Creamy chilled sides pair nicely with spicy wings.
- Hearty Sides such as garlic bread, cornbread, or pasta salad. These make the meal feel more filling and complete.
How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Chicken Wings
To store:
Store leftover buffalo wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat:
Reheat the wings in the air fryer at 375°F for 4 to 6 minutes, or until hot and crispy again. Toss them in extra buffalo sauce afterward if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook raw chicken wings in the air fryer?
Yes. The air fryer cooks the wings evenly while still giving them a crispy exterior without deep frying. Just make sure the wings are in a single layer and not overcrowded.
How Long to Cook Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
Chicken wings usually need about 20 minutes at 370°F, then another 3 to 5 minutes at 450°F to crisp up. The exact time depends on the size of the wings and your air fryer.
Can I use frozen wings in the air fryer?
Yes, just thaw them first. Frozen wings release extra moisture while cooking, so thawed wings crisp up much better.
More Air Fryer Chicken Wing Recipes
Air Fryer Soy Garlic Chicken Wings
Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings
Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Kare Kare Sauce
Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe with Mango Habanero Sauce
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Ingredients
- 2 dozen chicken wings
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Oil spray
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ cup hot sauce such as Frank’s RedHot
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels. Season with salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Let the wings sit for at least 20 minutes.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder. Dredge the wings in the mixture until evenly coated. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes so the coating can hydrate.
- In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, hot sauce, honey or brown sugar, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Taste the sauce and add salt if needed. Set aside.
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil. Arrange the wings in a single layer, then spray the tops with more oil.
- Air fry the wings at 370°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Increase the heat to 450°F and air fry for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the wings are crispy and golden brown.
- Transfer the wings to a large bowl and toss with the buffalo sauce until evenly coated. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
