Air Fryer Buffalo Wings: Crispy, Quick, And Easy!

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy buffalo wings with minimal effort and mess. The intense, evenly circulating heat of an air fryer cooks the wings to perfection, with juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat and a shatteringly crisp, blistered, and bubbly skin.

There are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure your buffalo wings turn out crispy and delicious. Firstly, it is important to not overcrowd the air fryer's cooking basket and leave slight space between each wing for even airflow and proper cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches. Secondly, make sure to pat the wings dry with paper towels before placing them in the air fryer to remove any excess moisture, as this will help them crisp up. Finally, for extra crispiness, you can toss the wings with baking powder before cooking, as this promotes browning and bubbling of the chicken skin.

As for the cooking time, it usually takes around 20-25 minutes to cook buffalo wings in an air fryer, but this may vary depending on the size of your wings and the specific model of your air fryer. It is recommended to cook the wings at a temperature of around 400°F, and to flip them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and mess-free way to make delicious, crispy buffalo wings, an air fryer is definitely the way to go!

Seasoning the wings

Step 1: Prepare the Wings

Start by rinsing your chicken wings under cold water, which helps remove any bone spurs or residue from processing. This step is optional, but it ensures your wings are clean and ready for seasoning. Pat the wings dry with paper towels. If you're using whole wings, separate them into drumettes and flats by slicing through the joint firmly with a knife. Don't forget to remove and discard the wing tips or save them for stock if you prefer.

Step 2: Choose Your Seasonings

For a classic buffalo wing flavour, a combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and black pepper is ideal. You can also add salt to enhance the flavour, but keep in mind that some hot sauces, like Frank's RedHot, are already quite salty. So, you may want to taste the sauce first and then decide if you need to add salt. Alternatively, you can use lemon pepper seasoning for a refreshing twist.

Step 3: Mix and Marinate

Transfer the wings to a large mixing bowl. Add your chosen seasonings and mix until the wings are evenly coated. Let the wings marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or even overnight for more intense flavours. The longer the wings marinate, the more time the seasonings have to penetrate the meat, resulting in juicier and more flavourful wings.

Step 4: Oil and Air Fry

Before placing the wings in the air fryer, you can add a thin layer of neutral oil, such as avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. This step is optional but can help enhance the crispiness of the skin. Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, and then flip the wings and air fry for an additional 8-12 minutes, depending on their size, until they are golden brown and crispy.

Step 5: Sauce and Serve

While the wings are cooking, prepare your favourite buffalo sauce by mixing melted butter with hot sauce. You can use Frank's RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce or another Louisiana-style hot sauce. Once the wings are cooked, toss them in a large bowl with the sauce until they are evenly coated. Serve your crispy buffalo wings immediately with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks on the side.

Air-frying the wings

Next, place the wings into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each wing. This will ensure that the hot air can circulate freely and cook the wings evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Now you're ready to air-fry the wings! Air-fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, then flip the wings and air-fry for another 8-12 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your wings, so adjust the time accordingly. If you want your wings to be extra crispy, you can increase the heat to 400°F and cook for an additional 6 minutes.

While the wings are cooking, make the buffalo sauce by whisking together melted butter and hot sauce. You can also add Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder for extra flavour. Once the wings are cooked, toss them in the sauce and serve immediately.

Making the buffalo sauce

For a classic buffalo sauce, you'll need:

• 1/2 cup of Frank's RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce (or another Louisiana-style hot sauce)
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup of melted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

To make the sauce, simply whisk all the ingredients together in a large bowl until they are well combined and emulsified. You can also add in some blue cheese dressing to make a blue cheese buffalo sauce.

Once your wings are cooked, toss them in the sauce and serve immediately.

Tossing the wings in sauce

To make the sauce, whisk together the melted butter and hot sauce in a large bowl until you have an emulsified sauce. You can also add in a few tablespoons of crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola cheese for a doctored blue cheese dipping sauce.

Once the wings are ready, transfer them to a large mixing bowl and pour the sauce over them. Toss them with a wooden spoon or tongs, being careful to wear an apron as the sauce may splatter. If needed, you can do this in batches to make it easier.

Finally, serve the wings with the blue cheese sauce and enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Now that you've made your crispy buffalo wings in the air fryer, it's time to serve them up! Here are some ideas and suggestions to make your wings shine:

• Dipping Sauces: Blue cheese dressing is a classic pairing with buffalo wings, and for good reason. The creamy, tangy dressing helps balance out the spiciness of the wings. You can also mix in some crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola cheese into the dressing for an extra punch of flavour. Other dipping sauce options include ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or a tangy hot honey.
• Vegetables: Carrots and celery sticks are the traditional accompaniments to buffalo wings. They provide a refreshing crunch and help cut through the richness of the wings. You could also serve them with crudité veggies like bell peppers, cucumbers, or cherry tomatoes.
• Sides: If you want to make it a meal, serve your wings with a side of air fryer french fries or a homemade caesar salad. You can also offer some light ranch dressing as a dipping option for the veggies.
• Drinks: A cold beverage is the perfect pairing for spicy buffalo wings. Offer your guests a selection of beers, or mix up a batch of cocktails or mocktails. Icy cold lemonade or a refreshing iced tea can also help cool down the palate.
• Plating: When it comes to plating, don't overlap the wings. Arrange them in a single layer on a platter or in a bowl. This will help keep them crispy and allow your guests to admire their golden brown goodness.
• Leftovers: If you have any leftover wings, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for 3-5 days. To reheat, pop them back into the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 380°F, flipping them halfway through. This will help them regain their crispy texture.

Frequently asked questions