Air Fryer Buffalo Wings: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Buffalo wings are a popular dish, but deep frying them can be messy and unhealthy. Air fryers offer a convenient, healthier alternative for cooking wings, producing a crispy exterior and moist, juicy interior. This guide will teach you how to make delicious buffalo wings using an air fryer, covering everything from ingredients and cooking times to serving suggestions and customisations.

Seasoning the wings

Pat the Wings Dry:

Start by using paper towels to pat the chicken wings dry. Removing excess moisture from the wings is essential to achieving that sought-after crispiness. This step ensures that the skin puffs up and blisters during the air frying process.

Seasoning Options:

There are various seasoning combinations you can use to enhance the flavour of your buffalo wings. Here are some options:

• Salt and Pepper: Generously season the wings with salt and pepper before placing them in the air fryer. This simple combination will create a crispy and flavourful base for your wings.
• Smoked Paprika: For an added depth of flavour, include smoked paprika in your seasoning mix. It gives the wings a subtle smoky taste without being overpowering.
• Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These spices add a savoury kick to your wings. They complement the hot sauce and butter coating that will be added later.
• Dried Thyme: Thyme brings a subtle earthy and slightly woody flavour to the wings. It adds complexity to the overall taste profile.
• Black Pepper: Ground black pepper adds a punch of heat and spice to the wings.
• White Pepper: White pepper has a milder flavour profile than black pepper, so use less if substituting. It will provide a subtle kick to your wings.
• Baking Powder: Adding baking powder to the wings before air frying is a game-changer. It reacts with the chicken skin, raising the pH level and creating tiny air bubbles, resulting in an incredibly crispy coating.
• Neutral Oil: Using a neutral oil like avocado, canola, or vegetable oil helps distribute the seasoning evenly over the wings and promotes browning during cooking.

Mixing the Seasonings:

Place the chicken wings in a large mixing bowl and add your chosen seasonings. Use your hands to mix the wings and seasonings together until the wings are evenly coated. Ensure that the wings are thoroughly coated for consistent flavour and crispness.

Air Frying the Seasoned Wings:

After seasoning, it's time to air fry the wings. Here are some tips for this step:

• Single Layer: Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This arrangement ensures that hot air can circulate around each wing, promoting even cooking and crispness. Avoid stacking or overlapping the wings.
• Cooking Temperature: Set your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically between 380°F and 400°F.
• Cooking Time: The cooking time will vary depending on your desired level of doneness and the size of your wings. For crispy wings, aim for a total cooking time of around 20-30 minutes.
• Flipping: To ensure even cooking, flip the wings halfway through the cooking process. This step helps all sides of the wings get sufficient hot air exposure.
• Batches: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches to avoid overcrowding. Keep the cooked wings warm in an oven preheated to 160°F until ready to serve.

Remember, the key to successful seasoning is to ensure the wings are dry before applying the seasonings and to distribute the seasonings evenly. Experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs to find your perfect blend!

Air-frying the wings

Step 1: Prepare the Wings

Start by patting the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial as it helps the wings crisp up during cooking. If your wings are whole, separate them into drumettes and flats by slicing through the joint firmly with a knife. You can discard the wing tips or save them for stock. Place the wings in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Season the Wings

For a classic buffalo wing flavor, season the wings with a blend of spices. You can use a combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and black pepper. The smoked paprika adds a unique flavor without being overpowering. Generously sprinkle salt over the wings; this will enhance the crispiness. You can also add white pepper to the mix for a milder kick.

Step 3: Air Fry the Wings

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Coat the air fryer basket or tray with a light layer of cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the seasoned wings in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap or stack. This arrangement allows hot air to circulate around each wing, promoting even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the wings in batches.

Cook the wings for 22-25 minutes at 400°F. If you prefer juicy wings, go for 22 minutes, and for crispier wings, aim for 25 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, consider flipping the wings to ensure even cooking. Additionally, shaking the basket or tossing the wings with tongs every few minutes will help them brown evenly.

Step 4: Make the Buffalo Sauce

While the wings are cooking, it's time to prepare the classic buffalo sauce. In a large bowl, combine melted butter and hot sauce. For a well-known and much-loved flavor, use Frank's RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce. You can also add a dash of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco for an extra kick. Whisk the ingredients together until you have a smooth, emulsified sauce.

Step 5: Toss the Wings in the Sauce

Once the wings are cooked to your desired level of crispiness, it's time to coat them in the sauce. Remove the wings from the air fryer and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss them with tongs or a wooden spoon until they are evenly coated. Don an apron during this step, as the sauce might splatter a bit. If needed, you can do this in batches for easier handling.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Your buffalo wings are now ready to be devoured! Serve them immediately with your favorite dipping sauces, such as blue cheese or ranch dressing, and some crisp celery and carrot sticks on the side. Enjoy the juicy, crispy, and flavorful wings you've created in your air fryer!

Making the buffalo sauce

Once the sauce is ready, you'll have a delicious, mouthwatering buffalo sauce that's perfect for coating your crispy air-fried wings. The sauce will add a tangy, spicy kick to your wings, making them irresistible. You can also serve extra sauce on the side for dipping, or provide blue cheese or ranch dressing as a cooling counterpart to the spicy wings. Now you're ready to enjoy your homemade buffalo wings with your very own signature sauce!

Tossing the wings in the sauce

First, while the wings are cooking, make the sauce by whisking together the melted butter and hot sauce in a large mixing bowl. You can also add in a dash of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco to taste.

Once the wings are finished cooking, transfer them to the mixing bowl with the sauce. Use a wooden spoon or tongs to toss the wings in the sauce, ensuring they are fully coated. Be sure to wear an apron, as the sauce may splatter during this step! If needed, you can do this step in batches to make it easier.

Finally, serve the wings immediately with your choice of dipping sauce and enjoy the classic taste of buffalo wings made right in your air fryer!

Serving the wings

Once your wings are cooked, it's time to serve them. Here are some tips to ensure your wings are tasty and enjoyable:

• Keep them warm: If you're cooking in batches, keep the first batch of wings warm in an oven preheated to 160°F while you cook the rest. This will ensure they stay hot and crispy.
• Add the sauce: Toss the wings in your chosen sauce right after cooking. This will ensure the sauce sticks to the wings and makes for easier cleaning of the air fryer basket.
• Serve with sides: Traditional sides for buffalo wings include blue cheese or ranch dressing, carrot and celery sticks, and sometimes, cold celery sticks and blue cheese. You can also serve them with French fries or a homemade Caesar salad.
• Dipping sauces: If you want to provide a variety of dipping sauces for your wings, some options include blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, or a spicy buffalo sauce.
• Wine pairings: To tame the heat of the buffalo wings, pair them with a wine that has a hint of sweetness, such as Riesling or Gewurztraminer. Alternatively, a light beer like a pilsner would also go well with the wings.

Frequently asked questions