Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Easy Buffalo Sauce

Discover the best air fryer chicken wings recipe for a healthier yet crispy and flavorful dish! These chicken wings are cooked to perfection in an air fryer, ensuring a crispy golden exterior without the need for deep frying. Toss them in an irresistible buffalo sauce made with butter and hot sauce for the perfect balance of spicy and buttery flavors. This simple recipe is perfect for game day, parties, or a weeknight snack.

Easy Air Fryer Wings are a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish, and they’re low in oil but packed with flavor. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese, and pair with celery and carrot sticks for a classic wings experience. Whether you’re craving crispy wings or a quick snack, this air fryer recipe is the ultimate solution!

These Air Fryer Chicken Wings are the perfect combination of crispy, flavorful wings with a spicy, buttery buffalo sauce. Made in the air fryer for a healthier yet just-as-crispy alternative to traditional frying, these wings are quick, easy, and full of flavor. Perfect for game day, parties, or a weeknight treat!

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Ingredients

For the Chicken Wings:

• 2 pounds chicken wings (drumettes, wingettes, or “party wings” – see Notes)
• ½ teaspoon salt (plus more as needed)
• Air-fryer-safe spray oil

For the Easy Buffalo Sauce:

• ¼ cup butter
• ⅔ cup hot sauce
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

To Serve (Optional):

• Celery sticks
• Carrot sticks
• Blue cheese dressing (store-bought or homemade)
• Ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
2. Prepare Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. Season all sides of the wings with salt.
3. Cook Wings: Remove the basket from the air fryer and spray it with air-fryer-safe spray oil. Add the wings in batches, ensuring they don’t overcrowd the basket. Place the basket back into the air fryer.
4. Air Fry: Cook the wings for 20 minutes in total. Every 6-7 minutes, remove the basket from the air fryer and shake it vigorously to toss the wings, ensuring even cooking.
   Note: If using an air fryer with racks, rotate the racks every 6-7 minutes for even cooking.
5. Make Buffalo Sauce: While the wings are cooking, melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts, stirring between each, until completely melted. Stir in the hot sauce and garlic powder until the mixture is smooth. Set aside.
6. Crisp the Wings: After 20 minutes of cooking, remove the basket and shake it again. Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for an additional 5 minutes to make the wings crispy and golden brown.
7. Toss with Sauce: Transfer the wings to a large bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over the wings and toss to coat them evenly.
8. Serve: Serve the wings immediately with optional sides like blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, celery sticks, and carrot sticks.

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Tips

• Pat the wings dry: Make sure to dry the wings thoroughly before cooking to ensure they become crispy in the air fryer.
• Don’t overcrowd the basket: For even cooking, avoid overcrowding the wings. Cook them in batches if needed.
• Shake often: Shake the basket or rotate racks regularly for evenly cooked and crispy wings.
• Adjust salt: Taste and adjust the salt if necessary, especially if your hot sauce is already salty.

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Variations and Substitutions

• Spicy Variation: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the buffalo sauce for extra heat.
• BBQ Wings: Substitute buffalo sauce with your favorite BBQ sauce for a smoky, tangy twist.
• Gluten-Free: Ensure the hot sauce and ranch or blue cheese dressing are gluten-free if needed.
• Sauce Options: For a sweeter flavor, mix honey or maple syrup with the buffalo sauce for a honey-buffalo glaze.

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FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken wings?
Yes, you can use frozen wings. Just increase the cooking time by about 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of the wings.

2. How can I make these wings less spicy?
If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of hot sauce and increase the amount of butter in the sauce.

3. Can I cook the wings in the oven instead?
Yes, you can bake the wings in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway through for a crispy texture.

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Serving Suggestions

• Appetizer: Serve these buffalo wings as an appetizer at your next party or gathering.
• Snack: Perfect for snacking while watching the big game or movie night.
• Side: Pair with a refreshing green salad or some crispy fries for a complete meal.
• Dipping Sauces: These wings pair wonderfully with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy and Flavorful: Get all the crispy texture of fried wings with none of the oil.
• Quick and Easy: Made in the air fryer, these wings are ready in under 30 minutes.
• Customizable: Adjust the heat and flavor of the sauce to suit your preferences.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a game day snack, a party appetizer, or a weeknight treat, these wings are always a crowd-pleaser.
• Healthier Option: These air fryer wings are a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried wings, with less oil but all the flavor.

Enjoy your crispy, buffalo-flavored air fryer wings with family and friends!