Buffalo chicken wings are one of the most popular chicken appetizers. There’s something about crunchy coating, tender meat, and that spicy buffalo wing taste that makes it taste so good. But have you tried them made in an air fryer? The Air fryer buffalo chicken wings are a perfect way to cook them without tons of cooking oil. If you are a fan of buffalo wings, you will love this new way to make them. In this recipe, you’re going to learn how to make “Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings.”
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Table of Contents
Say Goodbye to Deep-fried Wings
Air fryers have been around for a few years, but their use has exploded in recent years. They’re the best way to deep-fry because they use less oil and cook your food faster with less mess. And not only that…
- They cook faster than traditional deep fryers, so you don’t have to stand over the stove for as long.
- Air fryers can be healthier than other cooking methods because there’s no oil involved in the cooking process—just hot air!
- The amount of calories and fat is much lower than it would be in traditional oil-based frying methods like pan frying or deep frying.
To make these delicious wings, you’ll need:
- An air fryer. I have a Ninja Foodi Air Fryer and it’s awesome! It can take up to 3 pounds of food, so if you’re making wings, make sure they don’t weigh more than that!
- A pair of tongs. Tongs will help you handle the buffalo wing sauce and chicken wings during cooking, but they aren’t totally necessary.
- Bowl. A large bowl will be used to mix together all of the ingredients for your air fryer buffalo chicken wings.
- Baking sheet: A baking sheet isn’t necessary but it does help make life easier to lay your chicken flat and dry them with paper towels.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (I used Frank’s Red Hot)
- 2lbs chicken wings
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tbsp onion powder
Directions
- Prepare the wings: Rinse the chicken wings and pat them dry with paper towels, then place in a medium size bowl.
- Combine salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder. Spread over bowl to coat the wings.
- Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place wings in air fryer and cook at 400° degrees F for 20 minutes or until done (165° degrees F internal temperature), turning halfway through cooking time.
- Prepare the sauce: Melt the unsalted butter in a large pot over low heat, add the buffalo sauce. Stir until smooth, then add the cooked chicken wings and toss them until fully coated.
- Serve with your favorite side or dressing.
Best Sides for Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Pizza
- Salad
- Rice
- Broccoli
- Potato Salad
- Mac & Cheese
Recipe FAQ
Is an air fryer a deep fryer?
No. An air fryer uses hot air to circulate the food rather than submerging it in oil. It’s similar to a convection oven, but with less moisture loss and more consistent cooking times and temperatures.
Can I use frozen chicken wings?
Yes! Frozen chicken wings will work just fine in the air fryer. Just defrost them first, and make sure to pat them dry before cooking.
How many wings can fit in an air fryer?
This will depend on how big your chicken wings are and the size of your air fryer. However, keep in mind that your wings need to be spread out with a bit of space in between them so that they can become crispy.
How do I store buffalo chicken wings?
It is best to store your cooked chicken wings in an airtight container or ziplock bag. They can be stored for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, and frozen for up to 4 months.
How do I reheat the air fryer buffalo chicken wings?
You can reheat your chicken in the oven or microwave, but I recommend reheating them in the air fryer because it will give them a crispy shell while keeping the inside tender. Heat at 400 degrees until hot throughout (about 8–10 minutes).
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (I used Frank's Red Hot)
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tbsp onion powder
Instructions
- Prepare the wings: Rinse the chicken wings and pat them dry with paper towels, then place in a medium size bowl.
- Combine salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder. Spread over bowl to coat the wings.
- Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place wings in air fryer and cook at 400° degrees F for 20 minutes or until done (165° degrees F internal temperature), turning halfway through cooking time.
- Prepare the sauce: Melt the unsalted butter in a large pot over low heat, add the buffalo sauce. Stir until smooth, then add the cooked chicken wings and toss them until fully coated.
- Serve with your favorite side or dressing.
Notes
- If you don’t have Franks, feel free to use your favorite bottle of buffalo sauce.
- This recipe is for a 1 pack of 2lbs of wings; double the amounts if making multiple batches.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this recipe on Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings. Overall, if you love buffalo chicken wings and want another healthier option to cook them in your air fryer, then this will be a great recipe for you! They turn out tender on the inside and crispy on the outside just like they would if you fried them. Give them a try to see if you like them, they are delicious!
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