There’s something magical about perfectly crispy chicken wings — golden on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a fiery, buttery Buffalo sauce that makes every bite irresistible. These Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce are a game-changer. They deliver restaurant-quality wings right at home — without deep frying, without mess, and without guilt. The air fryer does all the work, creating that satisfying crunch while keeping the meat tender and flavorful.
Buffalo wings were first created in Buffalo, New York, in the 1960s — and ever since, they’ve become a beloved American classic, especially for game days, parties, or just a casual weekend dinner. This air fryer version modernizes that tradition, giving you the same bold flavors and crispy texture with far less oil.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it perfectly combines simplicity, flavor, and crunch. No need for excessive oil or complicated cooking methods — the air fryer creates beautifully crisp wings in less than half the time of oven-baking. The Buffalo sauce — made with butter, hot sauce, and a hint of garlic — strikes the perfect balance between spicy and tangy.
What I truly enjoy is how customizable it is: you can adjust the spice level, serve it with your favorite dips, or toss the wings in different sauces. It’s one of those recipes that never fails to impress — whether it’s a family snack night or a Super Bowl party.
Why It’s a Must-Try Dish
This dish is a must-try for anyone who loves wings but wants a healthier, faster, and cleaner way to enjoy them. Traditional wings are deep-fried, but air fryer wings offer the same crunch using up to 80% less oil. You’ll still get that crispy skin, juicy meat, and bold Buffalo flavor — but with fewer calories and less cleanup.
It’s also a recipe that brings people together. Whether you’re hosting friends, making a quick dinner, or prepping for a big game, these wings never disappoint. Plus, they’re ready in under 30 minutes!
Preparation and Cooking Details
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings (about 2 lbs wings total)
- Calories: Approximately 370 kcal per serving
- Course: Appetizer / Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Chicken Wings:
- 2 lbs (900 g) chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (not baking soda)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
For the Buffalo Sauce:
- ½ cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon honey or brown sugar (optional, for mild sweetness)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, for depth)
For Serving:
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Celery and carrot sticks
Cooking Directions
- Preheat the Air Fryer:
Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat it for about 5 minutes. - Prepare the Wings:
Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels — the drier they are, the crispier they’ll get.
In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly coated. - Air Fry the Wings:
Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket (avoid overcrowding).
Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
The wings should be golden and crispy. - Make the Buffalo Sauce:
While the wings cook, melt butter in a saucepan over low heat.
Add hot sauce, garlic powder, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until smooth and glossy. - Toss Wings in Sauce:
When wings are done, transfer them to a bowl. Pour the Buffalo sauce over and toss until well coated.
Step-by-Step Preparation Method
- Dry the Wings Thoroughly: Use paper towels to remove all surface moisture — this ensures crispiness.
- Coat with Baking Powder & Spices: Baking powder reacts with the skin to create that crackly texture.
- Air Fry in Batches: Don’t overcrowd; airflow is key for even crisping.
- Flip Halfway: Ensures even browning on both sides.
- Make Sauce While Cooking: Save time by preparing the sauce as wings cook.
- Toss and Serve Immediately: Wings are best hot and fresh from the fryer!
How to Serve
Serve your crispy Buffalo wings fresh out of the air fryer, coated generously with Buffalo sauce. Pair them with cool ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping and classic celery and carrot sticks on the side.
They also pair wonderfully with fries, coleslaw, or even over a bed of salad for a lighter option.
Recipe Tips
- Pat wings dry: Moisture prevents crisping.
- Use baking powder, not soda: It helps achieve that golden crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd: Cook in batches for best results.
- Toss in sauce just before serving: Keeps the wings crunchy.
- For extra crispiness: Air fry for an additional 3–5 minutes after saucing.
Variations
- Garlic Parmesan Wings:
Toss cooked wings in melted butter, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan. Sprinkle with parsley. - Honey BBQ Wings:
Mix BBQ sauce with a tablespoon of honey. Toss wings in sauce and air fry again for 2 minutes. - Asian-Style Wings:
Make a glaze with soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. Toss wings and garnish with sesame seeds. - Lemon Pepper Wings:
Skip Buffalo sauce and toss wings with melted butter, lemon zest, and cracked black pepper.
Freezing and Storage
- To Store:
Keep leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. - To Reheat:
Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5–7 minutes to regain crispiness. - To Freeze:
Place cooled wings in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer for 10–12 minutes at 380°F (193°C).
Special Equipment Needed
- Air Fryer (any model, 4-quart or larger recommended)
- Mixing bowls
- Saucepan
- Tongs
- Paper towels
Conclusion
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce bring together everything we love about comfort food — crunch, spice, and pure satisfaction — in a cleaner, faster, and healthier way. This recipe is proof that you don’t need deep-frying or a restaurant kitchen to create the perfect wings. They’re quick, customizable, and crowd-pleasing, making them ideal for parties, weeknight dinners, or just treating yourself.
Once you try them, you’ll never want to order wings again — the air fryer makes it too easy and too good to resist!
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce
Description
There’s something magical about perfectly crispy chicken wings — golden on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a fiery, buttery Buffalo sauce that makes every bite irresistible.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Wings:
For the Buffalo Sauce:
For Serving:
Instructions
-
Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat it for about 5 minutes.
-
Prepare the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels — the drier they are, the crispier they’ll get. In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly coated.
-
Air Fry the Wings: Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket (avoid overcrowding). Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through. The wings should be golden and crispy.
-
Make the Buffalo Sauce: While the wings cook, melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add hot sauce, garlic powder, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until smooth and glossy.
-
Toss Wings in Sauce: When wings are done, transfer them to a bowl. Pour the Buffalo sauce over and toss until well coated.
