Crispy Buffalo wings are a game day must with plump chicken wings tossed in a spicy homemade Buffalo sauce. They're so easy to make, baked or fried. Here is the recipe.
How to Make Buffalo Wings
We're cooking up Buffalo Wings in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen today, my friends. Would you care for a wing?
Classic Buffalo wings are a staple in bars and restaurants everywhere in the United States. The recipe was invented at the famous Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, hence the name.
It's a simple recipe, really, with chicken wings that are lightly seasoned then fried or baked until nice and crispy, and finally tossed in a buttery Buffalo sauce made with very few ingredients.
They're quite addictive. Of course you'll find variations from restaurant to restaurant and cook to cook. They're usually fried, though I find more and more restaurants offering baked or grilled versions, or combinations of both. One particular restaurant near me fries them first, then finished them on a wood fired grill.
Talk about delicious. They are a game day and super bowl must!
This recipe is what you'll find in a typical American restaurant, kept very simple, though you can easily adjust your seasonings and Buffalo sauce to preference.
Let's talk about how to make buffalo wings, shall we?
Buffalo Wings Ingredients
- FOR THE BUFFALO WINGS
- Chicken Wings. Separated and wing tips removed.
- Baking Powder. This helps with the crispiness of the skin.
- Salt and Pepper.
- Other Seasonings. Feel free to use your favorite seasonings. Traditional Buffalo wings are seasoned very simply. I enjoy granulated garlic, spicy chili powders, smoked chili powder, and other spicy seasoning blends.
- FOR THE BUFFALO SAUCE
- Butter.
- Hot Sauce. Use a Louisiana style, like Franks or Valentina. Tabasco will work, though it is thinner consitency.
- Vinegar. Use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
- Worcestershire Sauce.
How to Make Buffalo Wings - the Recipe Method
PREP THE CHICKEN WINGS
Dry the Chicken Wings. Pat the wings as dry as you can get them. This will help with the crispiness.
Season the Wings. Set the wings into a large bowl and season with baking powder, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper. Toss to get them nice and coated. The baking powder helps with the crispiness as well.
How to Bake Buffalo Wings in the Oven
First Bake. Heat oven to 250 degrees F. Set the wings onto a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
Second Bake. Increase oven heat to 425 degrees F. Flip the chicken wings and bake another 30 minutes, or until the wings are cooked through and the skins are nice and crispy. Check them at 20 minutes if desired.
How to Make Fried Buffalo Wings
Heat the Oil. Heat several inches of frying oil heated to 350 degrees F in a large pot.
Fry the Wings. Fry the wings for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. They should register 165 degrees F internally when measured with a meat thermometer. Remove and set onto a paper towel lined plate to drain.
FOR THE BUFFALO SAUCE
Heat and Whisk. Heat the butter, hot sauce, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce in a sauce pan until the butter melts. Whisk vigorously until the sauce thickens up.
TO SERVE
Toss and Serve. Toss the finished buffalo wings in the buffalo sauce. Serve with ranch dressing or blue cheese dip in a small bowl and celery sticks.
You can use other wings sauces, but buffalo sauce is the best!
Boom! Done! Your buffalo wings are ready to serve! Don't they look amazing? So saucy and tender and spicy. I'm ready to dig into these right now. I could eat the whole batch!
Recipe Tips & Notes
- The Buffalo Sauce. Buffalo sauce is essentially a mixture of butter and hot sauce with other optional seasonings. The recipe here is a simple version, which is more traditional, but you can include other ingredients. Check out my homemade Buffalo sauce recipe for a more complex version with more ingredients. It's just as easy to make, but adds a bit of depth of flavor.
- Baked Wings Vs. Fried Wings. You'll typically get crispier wings from deep frying, though it is messier and results in higher calories and saturated fat. You will achieve nice and crispy wings from baking them, particularly if you dry them properly and use baking powder (not baking soda). I prefer to bake mine when making them at home. Fried buffalo wings are faster, done in 15 minutes or less, while baked Buffalo wings take 45 minutes to an hour.
- Cook to Temp. It is best to cook your hot wings to the proper temperature rather than by time alone. Chicken wings should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 C) when measured with a meat thermometer. Oven temps and frying times can vary, depending on multiple factors.
- How Many Wings Should I Make? Figure on 1/2 pound of chicken wings per person, or roughly 3 whole wings per person for a whole serving. For a party situation, where your Buffalo wings are only one of the appetizers, plan on 1/4 pound per person, which is enough for each person to have 2-3 hot wings.
Serving Buffalo Wings
Buffalo wings are almost always served with a dressing, but the perpetual argument is this - Blue Cheese dressing or Ranch dressing? People have very strong opinions on this! Which to you prefer?
Serve along with carrot sticks or celery sticks for your dressing.
Storage Information and Leftovers
Story any leftover buffalo wings in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can easily reheat them in the oven or gently in the microwave.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my Buffalo wings recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy!
Check Out Some of My Other Popular Chicken Wing Recipes
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Buffalo Wings Recipe (How to Make Buffalo Wings)
Ingredients
FOR THE BUFFALO WINGS
- 2 pounds chicken wings separated and wing tips removed
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Extra seasonings as desired - I vary this up but love granulated garlic and other spicy chili powders
FOR THE BUFFALO SAUCE
- 1 stick butter - 1/2 cup or 8 tablespoons
- ½ cup Louisiana style hot sauce - Franks is very popular though I use Valentina HOT
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
PREP THE CHICKEN WINGS
- Pat the wings as dry as you can get them. This will help with the crispiness.
- Set the wings into a large bowl and season with baking powder, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper. Toss to get them nice and coated. The baking powder helps with the crispiness.
FOR BAKED BUFFALO WINGS
- Heat oven to 250 degrees F. Set the wings onto a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
- Increase oven heat to 425 degrees F. Flip the chicken wings and bake another 30 minutes, or until the wings are cooked through and the skins are nice and crispy.
FOR FRIED BUFFALO WINGS
- Heat several inches of frying oil heated to 350 degrees F in a large pot. Do not boil.
- Fry the wings for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. They should register 165 degrees F internally when measured with a meat thermometer.
- Remove and set onto a paper towel lined plate to drain.
FOR THE BUFFALO SAUCE
- Heat the butter, hot sauce, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce in a sauce pan until the butter melts. Whisk vigorously until the sauce thickens up.
TO SERVE
- Toss the finished buffalo wings in the buffalo sauce. Serve with ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Alfred says
Can I substitute Louisiana style hot sauce with Tabasco or would that change the taste. Thanks
Mike Hultquist says
Alfred, you can definitely use Tabasco. Works great.
Jérémie says
I choosed the fried buffalo wings option for my new Instant Pot air fryer (never have an air fryer till now).
Always a fan of your Buffalo sauce, these wings are a confirmation: amazing, extra crispy! Someone put homemade smoked carolina reaper powder in the extra seasonings! Can you believe it??
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Oh yes, Jérémie! Nice! They are awesome in the air fryer for sure. Reaper! Haha, shocked!
Best Wings Nashville says
Our Thai chili wings are our top seller in Nashville! Your recipe is spot on. Good share and great website
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks!
Roberta says
Hi Mike! It looks like 2 different sauces in the pictures. A thicker one in the bowl with the spoon and a different one in the measuring cup pouring on the wings. I’m looking for the sauce in the measuring cup. Or are the the same and just look different?
I LOVE your recipes by the way!! Thank You!!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Roberta. Yes, I have made this recipe SO MANY TIMES and I have multiple photos/versions. It can depend on how much you whisk to emulsify, but also which hot sauce you use and amount, but also my lighting at the time of the shoot. I hope there isn't any confusion, however, you will probably see the same variation if you change any single thing. Enjoy!!
Geraldine says
Hi Mike. Love this recipe. How do I go about batch cooking and freezing. Love your website. Thanks.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Hi, Geraldine. Thanks. Ideally you can bake or grill large portions, cool, then bag into freezer bags and freeze. I would use them within 3 months of freezing for best results.
Barbara Elaine Stempien says
Your buffalo wings are the best AND low carb. Just what i need. Just remember to pat dry and then pat again. Turned out nice and crisp. Thank you
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Excellent! Thanks, Barbara! =)
Larry Brooke says
Any thoughts on air fryer wings??
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
These are GREAT in an air fryer, Larry. I'm actually hoping to publish my Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe soon.