Marianne Martinez
Buffalo chicken wings are a popular dish, but frying them can be messy and unhealthy. Air fryers provide a convenient alternative to frying, and can cook chicken wings to be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. This introductory paragraph will explore the benefits of using an air fryer to cook buffalo chicken wings, and provide an overview of the cooking process and the ingredients required.
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer temperature and timing
The temperature and timing for cooking buffalo chicken wings in an air fryer will depend on the size of the wings and your desired level of crispiness. Wings can come in all shapes and sizes, so adjust the cooking time as needed. For example, if you prefer your wings to be extra crispy, you can increase the cooking time. On the other hand, if you want them to be juicier, you might want to reduce the cooking time slightly.
Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to between 350 and 400°F (180-200°C). At 360°F, a half batch of chicken wings will take about 30 minutes to fully cook (25 minutes on one side, 5 minutes on the other). It will take about an hour to cook a 2.5-pound batch of chicken wings.
Another option is to start the wings at a lower temperature and then increase it for the final 5-15 minutes to get them extra crispy. For example, you can cook the wings at 380°F for 20 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. Then, increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 5-15 minutes, shaking or flipping the wings every 5 minutes, until they are crisped to your liking.
If you are reheating cooked wings, preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook them for about 10 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy.
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Buffalo sauce ingredients
Buffalo sauce is a spicy blend of cayenne pepper, vinegar, salt, butter, and other ingredients. It is named after Buffalo, New York, where it was invented in 1964 by Teressa Bellissimo, owner of Anchor Bar. The sauce is most commonly associated with chicken wings, but it can be used as a dipping sauce or condiment as well.
- Hot Sauce: Use a cayenne pepper hot sauce such as Frank's RedHot, Crystal, Tabasco, or your preferred brand. This forms the spicy base for the sauce.
- Butter: Butter adds richness and balances the flavours of the other ingredients. It also helps with the crispiness of the wings when baked.
- Vinegar: White vinegar adds acidity and a tangy flavour to the sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This deepens the flavour of the sauce.
- Cayenne: Cayenne pepper turns up the heat.
- Garlic: You can use garlic powder or fresh garlic. Fresh garlic should be finely grated or minced and cooked over low heat before adding the hot sauce.
- Honey (optional): Honey balances and rounds out the flavour of the sauce.
You can also add other spices and seasonings to your buffalo sauce, such as smoked paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, and black pepper.
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Seasoning and marination
Choosing the Right Chicken Wings:
Start by selecting fresh, good-quality chicken wings. Opt for free-run or organic options if available. You can use a whole chicken wing or separate it into flats and drumettes. The quantity can vary depending on the size of your air fryer; a standard air fryer can typically accommodate 16-18 wings.
Rinsing and Drying:
Some recipes suggest rinsing the chicken wings under cold water before starting the seasoning process. This step is optional but can be done according to your preference. After rinsing, ensure that you pat the wings dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the seasoning adhere better to the wings and promotes even cooking.
Seasoning and Marinating:
Transfer the dried chicken wings to a large mixing bowl. For a classic Buffalo wing flavour, season the wings with a combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and black pepper. You can adjust the amounts of each spice according to your taste preferences. It is recommended to avoid adding additional salt, as the buffalo sauce used later in the recipe already contains a significant amount of salt.
After seasoning, it's time to marinate the chicken wings. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the wings to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For more intense flavour penetration, you can marinate the wings overnight.
Oil Coating (Optional):
Some recipes suggest coating the chicken wings with olive oil before air frying. This step is optional but can add extra crispness to the final product. If you choose to do this, simply drizzle olive oil over the seasoned wings and toss to coat evenly.
Air Frying:
Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 380-400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the chicken wings in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches.
Air fry the wings for 22-25 minutes at 400°F (200°C) or 25-30 minutes at 380°F, shaking the basket or tossing the wings with tongs every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. For crispier wings, consider increasing the cooking time, but keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.
Sauce and Final Touches:
While the wings are cooking, prepare the classic Buffalo wing sauce by combining Frank's RedHot® Original Hot Sauce with melted butter in a large mixing bowl. You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less hot sauce according to your preference. Some recipes also suggest adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco for extra flavour.
Once the wings are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and immediately toss them in the prepared sauce. Ensure each wing is thoroughly coated. Serve the wings while they are still hot and crispy, pairing them with blue cheese or gorgonzola and celery sticks on the side, if desired.
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Wing preparation
Start by rinsing your chicken wings under cold water. Then, pat them dry with paper towels and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Season the wings with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and black pepper. You can also add salt to taste, but keep in mind that some sauces, like Frank's RedHot, are already quite salty.
Marinate the wings for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight if you're preparing them in advance. When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 360–400°F (180–200°C). You can spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray to prevent sticking and add a bit of extra crispness to the wings.
Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches.
Cook the wings for a total of 20–25 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. For crispier wings, increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 5–15 minutes, checking regularly to ensure they don't burn.
While the wings are cooking, you can prepare the buffalo sauce. Combine melted butter with hot sauce, vinegar, and any additional seasonings like cayenne pepper or Worcestershire sauce. You can adjust the spiciness of the sauce to your preference.
Once the wings are cooked to your desired level of crispness, remove them from the air fryer and toss them in the buffalo sauce until they are evenly coated. Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauces and sides, such as carrot and celery sticks, blue cheese dressing, or ranch dressing.
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Storing and reheating
Storing Buffalo Chicken Wings
To store buffalo chicken wings, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. This will maintain freshness and quality, ensuring the wings are enjoyable for up to three to four days after cooking. Alternatively, cooked wings can be frozen and kept for up to four months.
Reheating Buffalo Chicken Wings
There are several methods to reheat buffalo chicken wings, each with its own advantages:
- Air Fryer: Reheating in an air fryer is ideal for small batches of wings. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F–400°F. Spritz the wings with cooking spray and place them in the basket, ensuring adequate space for hot air circulation. Reheat for up to 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Oven: The oven is a preferred method for reheating chicken wings, as it creates a crispy exterior without drying out the meat. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the wings from the fridge and let them sit for 5–15 minutes to reach room temperature. Place the wings on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper, ensuring they are in a single layer. Reheat for 10–20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F.
- Stovetop: Using a skillet or pan on the stovetop is a quick way to reheat wings without drying them out. However, this method is not suitable for sauced wings, as they may stick and burn. Add oil to the pan to help retain crispiness. Heat the wings for 2–3 minutes, turning them halfway through. Check the internal temperature, which should be 165°F.
- Microwave: While the microwave is the quickest reheating method, it can cause wings to lose their crispiness. Place the wings on a microwave-safe plate lined with a damp paper towel, and cover them with another damp paper towel. Heat for about two minutes or until slightly warm.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time depends on the size of the wings and the number of wings being cooked. For 20 wings, cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 400 degrees and cook for another 5-15 minutes. For 20 wings in an air fryer preheated to 360 degrees Fahrenheit, the cooking time is about 30 minutes.
Pat the wings dry with paper towels. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the wings in the basket in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes. Flip the wings and cook for another 10 minutes. Increase the temperature to 400 degrees and cook for 6 more minutes. Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and toss the cooked wings in the sauce until they are evenly coated.
You can make a buffalo sauce by combining Frank's RedHot Original Hot Sauce with butter. You can also add in Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, and vinegar. For a lemon pepper sauce, combine olive oil, oregano, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
