Buffalo Chicken Wings (Plus VIDEO)

Enjoy these crispy, tender Buffalo chicken wings tossed in a classic spicy sauce with butter, Creole Seasoning, and Frank’s hot sauce. And guess what, they’re baked! Oh yes! Indeed, the ultimate game day and party snack favorite! Primarily when you serve them with my Homemade Ranch Dressing. Simply delicious!

Contents… The Secret to Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings Imma’s Buffalo Chicken Wings Sauce Buffalo Chicken Wings Recipe Ingredients and Substitutes Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Wings? More Chicken Wings Recipes to Try How to Make Buffalo Chicken Wings Watch How To Make It

Gameday isn’t a game day without all those snack foods. Honestly, it’s the only reason worth looking forward to, at least for me, since I’m not an athletic type of person. AHA!

But how could I not include America’s *ULTIMATE* game day and party favorite?

These Buffalo Chicken Wings are best served at your game day party or simply when you get the hankering to nibble on some fabulicious chicken wings.

The Secret to Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings

While most buffalo wings served in bars and restaurants are deep-fried, these munchies here are BAKED. Yesss! But you can hardly tell the difference coz these baked buffalo wings are as crispy as the fried version.

How do I do that? I use Alton Brown’s method of letting the wings dry in the fridge for about an hour, sometimes overnight. I also used this method in my Baked Crispy Chicken Wings recipe. But if you’re pressed for time, you can simply pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Imma’s Buffalo Chicken Wings Sauce

Five simple ingredients are all you need to make an out-of-this-world sauce. I use Frank’s original hot sauce for that classic spiciness and a tinge of sweetness. But if you can’t find it, any hot sauce will do just fine. Sriracha works, too – just add a teaspoon of sugar for that hint of sweetness.

Simply combine all the sauce ingredients in a saucepan and whisk together until thoroughly combined and bubbly. I also added a teaspoon of my homemade Creole seasoning for another layer of flavor.

Buffalo Chicken Wings Recipe Ingredients and Substitutes

While most buffalo wings served in bars and restaurants are deep-fried, these munchies here are BAKED. Yesss! Plus, they are low carb and keto-friendly, too! Double yaaay! ❤

• Chicken Wings – These wings are one of my favorite parts of the chicken because they are tasty and meaty. Aside from wings, you can also use my Buffalo Sauce for any chicken or turkey part. You can slather Baked Chicken Tenders with it. Yum!
• Thyme – I always love adding herbs such as thyme and basil to my dry rub because they add an earthy and minty flavor to my chicken wings. Here are some of the Best Thyme Substitutes you can choose if ever you run out. Italian Seasoning is also a great replacement and will surely add more exciting flavors to our easy Buffalo chicken wings recipe.
• Onion and Garlic Powder – Our chicken wings wouldn’t be as tasty without these two. I prefer to use powder instead of fresh onion and garlic for dry rubs because they stick to the skin, which absorbs the flavor quickly.
• Salt and Pepper – Thanks to these seasonings, every dish is effortlessly delicious. You may substitute it with Seasoned Salt or Creole Seasoning to add more fascinating complex flavors.
• Smoked Paprika – To be honest, salt and pepper are enough to make our chicken savory and flavorsome. However, other spices such as paprika and cayenne give our dish an extra flavor boost.
• Cayenne Pepper – It adds the right amount of heat without overpowering the other flavors. But if you want it even spicier, a dash of pepper flakes will do the trick. 😉
• Bouillon Powder – This one is optional. I just love the rich umami flavor it adds to my chicken wings. It’s simply irresistible. Yum!

Buffalo Sauce

• Butter – Shiny, rich, and buttery, all of these make our baked buffalo wings out-of-this-world delish!
• Creole Seasoning – Add a touch of Cajun flavor to our wings? Yes, please! Make your own spice blend with my Homemade Creole Seasoning recipe.
• Frank’s Hot Sauce – But, of course, you can use any of your favorite hot sauces for this recipe. I just find using this sauce brings the most authentic Buffalo wings, and it’s spicier than other hot sauces. Crystal hot sauce, Tobasco, and sriracha won’t disappoint, either.
• Worcestershire Sauce – This special sauce enhances the flavors with its bold and sharp taste.
• Cayenne Pepper – You can’t go wrong with more heat, agree?

Recipe Variations

• Sweet and Spicy – You can add about a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to sweeten our spicy buffalo wings. It’s also kid-friendly.
• Crispy Fried Buffalo Chicken Wings – If you want your wings to be extra crispy, then you might want to try the deep-fried version.
• Breaded Buffalo Chicken – Just coat these babies in a well-seasoned flour, bake or fry them, then coat them with our lip-smacking spicy buffalo sauce. Easy peasy!
• Air-Fryer Buffalo Wings – If you make a small batch and have an air fryer, this is a fantastic choice. 😉

Tips and Tricks

• Tossing the wings in baking powder somehow draws moisture off the skin, making it super crispy when baked.
• Try not to move the wings too much or open the oven while baking to conserve oven temperature. Flip them only once.
• If you want to keep it as crispy as possible, only toss the wings into the sauce just right before serving.
• You can also serve the Buffalo-style sauce on the side instead of tossing the chicken wings in them. This way, the chicken wings stay crispier longer. Plus, your guest can choose to enjoy these wings with or without sauce.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Sadly, if you reheat the wings after tossing them in the hot sauce, it softens the skin but isn’t too soggy. In short, these baked buffalo wings are best served while still hot, around 10-15 minutes after you’ve tossed them in the hot sauce. Therefore, I highly suggest coating the wings in batches and not all at once. So, in the rare case of leftovers, you can store the wings and sauce separately. 😉

Storing Leftover Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

• Store – Let them cool completely before transferring them to a clean and dry airtight container. Remember to store the chicken and sauce in separate containers.
• Refrigerate – Baked chicken wings can be refrigerated safely for up to four days. While the homemade Buffalo sauce will last about 2-3 weeks in the fridge. However, make sure there’s no mold before using just to be on the safe side.
• Freeze – Yes! You can freeze these chicken wings for up to three months without worrying about their texture and quality. And the sauce can be stored safely in the freezer for up to six months. Just a reminder, though, if you intend to freeze your homemade sauce, store it in a freezer-safe and BPA-free plastic or silicone container because glass containers tend to break when the frozen sauce expands.

Make-Ahead: You can bake or fry the chicken wings and make the sauce ahead of time. But don’t coat the chicken just yet so they don’t get soggy.

Reheating Leftover Chicken Wings

• Oven – Reheat the frozen cooked chicken wings at 375℉/190℃ in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes to make them crispy again. If thawed, bake them for about 10-20 minutes at 350℉/177℃.
• Air Fryer – Reheat them at 375℉/190℃ for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Frozen wings will need an additional 3-5 minutes of cooking time.
• Microwave – Place a damp paper towel on the microwave-safe dish before transferring the wings. Another one is on top of the chicken. Heat them for about 2-3 minutes.

Reheating Homemade Buffalo Chicken Wings Sauce

• Stove – Transfer the sauce into the saucepan and heat at medium-low heat, constantly stirring until warm. Toss in the chicken until every wing is evenly coated with sauce. Serve.
• Microwave – Heat for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through.

FAQs

What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Wings?

These extra delicious, spicy, and crispy Buffalo wings are just in time for holiday parties. You can serve them with any of these fantastic yet straightforward side dishes below to complete your holiday menu.

• Beer-Battered Onion Rings
• Seasoned Rice
• Plantain Chips
• Baked Crispy Potato Wedges
• Tortilla Chips

More Chicken Wings Recipes to Try

• Caribbean Sweet & Sticky Hot Wings
• Baked Jerk Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Chicken Wings Shawarma
• Grilled Chicken Wings

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Wings

Season the Chicken Wings

• Dry and Refrigerate – Pat dry chicken wings and place them on a cookie sheet in a single layer, then let them sit in the fridge until ready to use. For extra crispy skin, let it sit for a minimum of three hours or, even better, overnight. Don’t cover them; just let the air dry them out.
• Preheat Oven – When ready to bake, preheat oven to 425°F/218℃.
• Season – Place the wings in a large bowl with all the spices, then drizzle with vegetable oil. (Photos 1-2)

Bake the Chicken Wings

• Arrange the Wings in a Single Layer – Line a baking pan with foil and top with a wire rack. Arrange chicken wings in a single layer. While the chicken wings are baking, the oil will slowly drip to the bottom of the baking pan. (Photo 3)
• Bake Until Crispy – Bake wings until cooked through and the skin is crispy, about 45-50 minutes. Rotate the wings halfway through, roughly 20 minutes. (Photo 4)

Coat the Chicken Wings with Homemade Buffalo Wings Sauce

• Combine, Mix, and Coat – While the chicken wings are roasting, place a small skillet on medium heat, then add butter, hot sauce, Creole seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne pepper. Stir for about 30 seconds until butter melts. Remove wings from the oven and thoroughly coat with sauce.
• Serve with Dressing – Serve wings immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Watch How To Make It

This blog post was first published in December 2018 and has been updated with an additional write-up, and a video.