Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

Get ready for the most amazing baked buffalo wings that will make your whole family happy! These crispy, saucy wings are perfect for game day, family dinners, or any time you want something delicious. The best part is they’re baked instead of fried, so you get all that amazing flavor without the extra grease.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 20 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes, Serves: 8 people.

Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 178 Calories, 13g Fat, 3g Carbs, 13g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken wings: You’ll need 2 pounds of chicken wings, separated if they aren’t already. Fresh or thawed frozen wings work great – just make sure they’re completely dry before cooking!

Neutral oil: Just 1½ teaspoons of canola or avocado oil will help everything get nice and crispy. These oils work best because they don’t add any strong flavors.

Baking powder: This 1 teaspoon is the secret to super crispy skin! Don’t skip this ingredient – it’s what makes these wings amazing.

Buffalo-style hot sauce: You’ll need 3 tablespoons of your favorite buffalo sauce like Frank’s RedHot. Pick whatever heat level makes you happy!

Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons of butter makes the sauce rich and smooth. Room temperature butter works best for mixing.

Honey: Just 1 tablespoon adds a touch of sweetness that balances the spicy sauce perfectly. Any honey you have will work great.

Cider vinegar: These 2 teaspoons add a tangy kick that makes the flavors pop. Apple cider vinegar is perfect here.

For serving: Blue cheese or ranch dressing, plus carrot and celery sticks for that classic buffalo wing experience!

How to Make Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top and spray it with cooking spray.

Step 2: Pat those wings completely dry with paper towels – this is super important for crispy skin! Put the dry wings in a medium bowl.

Step 3: Add the oil and baking powder to the wings. Toss everything together until each wing is coated evenly. Arrange them in a single layer on your prepared rack.

Step 4: Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F when you check with a thermometer.

Step 5: While the wings bake, make your buffalo sauce! Combine the hot sauce, butter, and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Step 6: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, swirling the pan occasionally. Cook for about 5 minutes until it’s slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the vinegar.

Step 7: Transfer the hot wings to a large bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over them and toss until every wing is beautifully coated.

Step 8: Move the sauced wings to a serving platter. Serve right away with your favorite dressing and fresh veggies on the side!

Easy and Quick Baked Buffalo Wings Version

Want to make these even faster? You can use store-bought buffalo sauce instead of making your own! Just warm up about ½ cup of your favorite buffalo wing sauce and toss it with the cooked wings. You’ll save about 10 minutes and still get amazing flavor. Plus, if you have an air fryer, you can cook the wings at 400°F for 25-30 minutes instead of using the oven!

Serving Ideas

These wings make a complete meal when you serve them with classic sides! Try them with creamy coleslaw, crispy french fries, or a fresh green salad. For parties, set up a wing bar with different dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, and honey mustard. Don’t forget plenty of napkins – these wings are wonderfully messy!

Storage

Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, let them come to room temperature first, then pop them in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. You can also use an air fryer for 5-8 minutes to get them crispy again. If using a microwave, wrap them in a damp paper towel and heat in 1-minute bursts.

Substitutions

No buffalo sauce? Mix hot sauce with melted butter and a pinch of garlic powder! Want less heat? Use mild hot sauce or add extra honey. Don’t have cider vinegar? White vinegar or lemon juice work great too. For dairy-free wings, swap the butter for olive oil or vegan butter in the sauce.

Pro Tips

• Dry is key: Really pat those wings dry – moisture is the enemy of crispy skin!
• Don’t overcrowd: Give each wing space on the rack so air can circulate around them.
• Wire rack magic: The rack lets hot air get under the wings for even crispier results.
• Sauce timing: Make the sauce while the wings bake to save time and serve everything hot.
• Double batch: These freeze great! Make extra and freeze the cooked wings for up to 3 months.

FAQs

What’s the difference between baking powder and baking soda?

Great question! Baking powder works all by itself and helps make these wings super crispy. Baking soda needs an acid like vinegar to work properly. For this recipe, stick with baking powder – it’s the secret to that perfect crispy skin you’re looking for!

What should I serve with chicken wings?

Wings are amazing as appetizers, but they make great meals too! Try serving them with a winter salad with toasted walnuts, bean and veggie bowls, or crispy roasted potatoes. They’re perfect for game day parties, potlucks, or just a fun family dinner!

How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Sure! Store your wings in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat them, let them sit out until they reach room temperature. Then reheat in an air fryer or 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until they hit 165°F. You can use the microwave too – just wrap them in a damp paper towel and heat in 1-minute bursts!

Can I make these wings ahead of time?

You bet! You can bake the wings up to 2 days ahead and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat them and toss with fresh buffalo sauce. The sauce can also be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week.

I hope you love these buffalo wings as much as my family does! They’re always a huge hit at our house. Let me know how yours turn out – I’d love to hear about your favorite way to serve them!