Skip the deep-fryer and bake or air fry your buffalo wings instead! These baked buffalo chicken wings are smoky, tangy, and sure to be a hit at your next football party. Serve them with lightened-up blue cheese dressing for a crowd-favorite appetizer.
Buffalo Wings
Traditional buffalo wings are made in the deep fryer and are loaded with butter. These baked buffalo wings, made without any butter, are broiled in the oven (or you can air fry them), making them crispy, golden, and so much healthier. You can adjust the heat to your taste or make them in the air fryer following my air fryer chicken wings recipe. They’re perfect as a party appetizer, lunch, or dinner! More classic party appetizers I love are these Baked Mozzarella Sticks, Buffalo Chicken Dip, and Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip.
About This Homemade Buffalo Wings Recipe
My family loves these buffalo wings, so I’ve been making them using this method for years! I never deep fry anything, so using the broiler or air fryer is my method of choice to get the wings crisp without adding oil. Here’s why this works:
- Party Worthy: Pop these in the oven on game day, and have hot wings ready to serve when your guests arrive. They’re so good your guests will be asking for the recipe!
- Crispy Buffalo Wings: No deep frying is required for these chicken wings so much healthier! Broiling them on low creates the perfect texture.
- Less Mess: Deep frying is messy, these oven wings are so much cleaner. Line the baking sheet with foil for easy clean up!
- Dietary Restrictions: Weight Watchers-friendly, gluten-free, high-protein, dairy-free, and keto.
If you make this easy buffalo wings recipe, I would love to see it. Tag me in your photos or videos on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook!
Buffalo Wings Ingredients
Hot sauce, vinegar, and a flavorful mix of spices and herbs will make these buffalo wings a hit at your next party! See recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Chicken Wingettes or Drumettes are parts of the whole chicken wing. Chicken wings are usually sold already cut into smaller pieces, which makes them easier to cook evenly since the pieces are all the same size.
- Frank’s RedHot Sauce is my favorite buffalo sauce, but use whichever brand you prefer.
- White Vinegar infuses the wings with a tangy flavor and tenderizes the chicken.
- Spices and Herbs: Oregano, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Wings
Marinating the chicken wings for just 30 minutes imparts a spicy, tangy flavor that will have you coming back for more! The complete instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Marinate the wings. Combine chicken, hot sauce, vinegar, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.
- Prep your oven. Move the top rack 8 inches from the heating element (the second rack from the top).
- Bake. Place the wings on a broiler rack and broil on low for 10 to 12 minutes on each side.
- Heat the remaining hot sauce, and then toss the cooked wings to coat.
Air Fryer Method
To crisp up these chicken wings in the air fryer, cook the wings in batches at 400ºF for 22 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Variations
- Herbs: Swap oregano with dried thyme.
- Garlic Powder: Substitute onion powder.
- Make Them Spicier: Add some cayenne pepper to the marinade.
- Don’t like spicy wings? Replace hot sauce with BBQ sauce.
What to Serve with Baked Buffalo Wings
Keep it classic and pair these buffalo chicken wings with celery and carrot sticks and homemade blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing. They’d be an excellent appetizer for a football-watching party.
As a main dish dinner, serve the wings with a green salad or roasted broccoli to make it a meal.
Buffalo Wing FAQs
A broiler rack is a baking dish with a rack set on top, allowing the fat to drip down into the pan. If you don’t have one, you can make a DIY version by placing a sheet pan on a rimmed baking sheet.
If you can’t set your oven broiler to low, use the high setting. However, broiling on high can take your wings from perfectly crispy to burnt in the blink of an eye. Instead of flipping the wings over at 10 to 12 minutes, check them around the 8-minute mark. If they’re getting too crispy, move the top rack down one spot so it’s not as close to the heating element. Some ovens may also allow you to set the broil temperature, so if given the option, set it to 400°F.
Yes. If you’d prefer to bake instead of broil, bake the chicken wings at 425°F for 45 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
The buffalo wings will be golden and crispy when ready. However, you can also check them with a meat thermometer, which should read 165°F before removing them.
Storage
These baked chicken wings are best served right after they come out of the oven, but if you have leftovers, here’s how to store them:
- Refrigerate leftover buffalo wings for 4 days.
- Freeze wings for 3 months in an airtight container.
- Thaw the chicken in the fridge and reheat it in the microwave or air fryer until warm.
More Buffalo Chicken Recipes
Buffalo Wings
Ingredients
- 36 chicken wingettes and drummettes, or 18 whole chicken wings
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp Franks hot sauce
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 2 tbsp oregano
- 4 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- kosher salt, and fresh pepper
- 2 celery stalks, sliced into strips
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced into strips
- low fat blue cheese dressing, optional for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine chicken, 2 tbsp hot sauce, vinegar, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Mix well and let marinate for 30 minutes.
- Place wings on a broiler rack and broil on low, about 8 inches from the heating element (second rack from top) for about 10-12 minutes on each side. (All ovens are different so be careful not to burn and make sure it is cooked and well browned before removing.)
- While chicken cooks, heat the remaining hot sauce until warm.
- Toss the hot sauce with the chicken and arrange on a platter.
- Serve with celery and carrot strips and blue cheese dressing or dipping.
