Make Crispy Buffalo Wings Without A Fryer At Home

Buffalo wings are a delicious treat, perfect for a party or a game day. But what if you don't have a fryer? Well, there are several ways to make these mouth-watering wings without one. You can bake, air-fry, grill, or even braise and fry your wings. Each method has its pros and cons, but all will result in tasty wings. So, if you're craving some spicy, crispy, buffalo wings, don't let the lack of a fryer stop you. Try one of these alternative methods and enjoy your perfect wings!

Oven-bake the wings

Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings

Ingredients

• 8 chicken wings or 16 drumettes and wing pieces
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
• ⅓ cup of hot sauce (e.g. Frank's RedHot® Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce)
• 1½ tablespoons of unsalted butter, plus more if needed
• ½ teaspoon of distilled vinegar
• Brown sugar, to taste
• Blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, or garlic Parmesan dip, for serving

Method

• Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C and position a rack in the centre of the oven.
• Remove the tips from the wings and set aside for making chicken stock.
• Cut the joint between the drumette and the flat portion of the wings.
• Pat the wings dry with paper towels—this will ensure they crisp up in the oven, and there will be less spatter from water hitting the hot oil.
• Place the wings in a large bowl and toss with oil, salt, and pepper to coat.
• Divide the wings between two large rimmed baking sheets, spreading them out in a single layer.
• Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until cooked through and the skin is golden and crispy.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the hot sauce, butter, and vinegar over low heat until the butter melts.
• Taste the sauce and adjust to your preference. If you'd like to reduce the heat, add more butter, a little water, or some brown sugar. To increase the heat, add more hot sauce. Add salt if needed.
• When the wings are cooked, toss them in a bowl with the warm sauce.
• Serve with blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, or garlic Parmesan dip.

Tips

• For a spicier sauce, add a dash of cayenne pepper.
• For a sweeter sauce, stir in some brown sugar to taste.
• If you want to make more wings, simply increase the ingredient proportions and bake in batches.
• To make ahead, prep the wings and make the sauce in advance. Reheat the sauce before tossing with the freshly baked wings.
• To keep baked wings warm while cooking the rest, place them on a parchment-lined rimmed sheet pan in a 200°F oven. If desired, cover them loosely with foil, but don't let them steam as they will lose their crispiness.

Air-fry for crispiness

Air-frying is a great way to achieve crispy buffalo wings without the need for a deep fryer. Not only is it a healthier alternative to frying in oil, but it also yields excellent results with minimal prep time and cleanup. Here's a step-by-step guide to making crispy buffalo wings using an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Wings

Start by rinsing your desired amount of chicken wings under cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels. This step is optional but can help remove any bone spurs or residue from processing. Next, separate the wings into drumettes and flats by slicing through the joint that connects them. You can also remove and discard the wing tips or save them for making stock.

Step 2: Season the Wings

Place the wings in a large mixing bowl. Add your choice of seasonings to the wings. A simple seasoning blend could include 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. Mix the wings with the seasonings until they are evenly coated.

Step 3: Marinate the Wings

Once the wings are seasoned, let them marinate to enhance the flavour. You can marinate them for at least 30 minutes or even overnight for more intense flavours. This step allows the seasonings to penetrate the wings, making them more flavourful.

Step 4: Air-Fry the Wings

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the wings in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. Cook the wings in batches if needed, depending on the size of your air fryer. Air fry the wings for 22 to 25 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. For juicier wings, aim for 22 minutes, and for crispier wings, go for the full 25 minutes. During cooking, shake the basket or toss the wings with tongs every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Make the Sauce

While the wings are cooking, prepare the classic buffalo sauce by mixing butter and hot sauce. You can use a combination of melted butter and Frank's RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce for an authentic flavour. You can also add other ingredients like vinegar, garlic, or brown sugar to taste. Whisk the sauce until it's emulsified and set it aside until the wings are ready.

Step 6: Toss the Wings in Sauce

Once the wings are cooked to your desired level of crispiness, remove them from the air fryer and place them in a large mixing bowl. Pour the prepared sauce over the wings and toss them with a wooden spoon or tongs until they are evenly coated. Be sure to wear an apron during this step, as the sauce may splatter. If needed, you can toss the wings in batches to make it easier.

Step 7: Serve the Wings

Your crispy buffalo wings are now ready to be served! Serve them immediately while they're still hot and crispy. You can pair them with classic sides like blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, or celery sticks for a complete game day or party treat. Enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Prepare the sauce

While the wings are cooking, it's time to prepare the sauce. The sauce is what makes buffalo wings stand out, so it's important to get it right. The key ingredients are hot sauce and butter, but you can also add other ingredients like vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper to taste.

Here's a simple recipe for the sauce:

• Combine the hot sauce, butter, and any other desired ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat.
• Stir the mixture until the butter is melted and the ingredients are well combined.
• Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you want more heat, add more hot sauce. For a hint of sweetness, stir in some brown sugar.
• Keep the sauce warm until the wings are ready to be tossed in it.

You can also add some blue cheese, ranch, or garlic Parmesan dip to the sauce for an extra kick of flavor.

Toss the wings in the sauce

Once your wings are cooked, it's time to toss them in the sauce. The sauce is what makes buffalo wings distinct from other types of chicken wings. It's a simple combination of hot sauce and butter, but you can adjust the ingredients to your taste. If you want more heat, add more hot sauce. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add brown sugar or honey. You can also add extra vinegar if you like your wings tangy.

While the wings are cooking, prepare your sauce by mixing butter and hot sauce in a large bowl. You can also add other ingredients like vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. Whisk the sauce until it's well combined and emulsified.

When the wings are ready, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss them with a wooden spoon or tongs. Make sure to wear an apron, as the sauce may splatter. If needed, you can do this in batches to ensure all the wings are evenly coated.

Serve the wings immediately after tossing them in the sauce. They go well with blue cheese or ranch dressing, celery sticks, and cooling veggies like carrots or cucumbers on the side.

Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing

Blue cheese and ranch dressing are the perfect accompaniments to your homemade buffalo wings. You can make your own blue cheese sauce or buy a store-bought variety and add extra blue cheese or gorgonzola for a more intense flavour.

If you're making your own blue cheese sauce, you'll need blue cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice. Combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add in some chopped fresh parsley or chives for added flavour and colour.

For a ranch dressing, you'll need buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped fresh chives, chopped fresh parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Simply mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Both sauces can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until needed. They're the perfect dips for your crispy, juicy buffalo wings and will be a hit with your family and friends.

Frequently asked questions