Buffalo wings are a classic favorite for parties, game days, or anytime you’re craving something spicy and delicious. This Crispy Buffalo Wings Recipe combines restaurant-quality flavor with the ease of a homemade dish. With perfectly crispy chicken wings tossed in a simple 3-ingredient buffalo sauce, this recipe is a must-try for wing lovers everywhere.

Why You’ll Love These Crispy Buffalo Wings

1. Incredibly Crispy Texture: Achieved without deep frying, thanks to a clever use of baking powder and a high-temperature bake.
2. Easy Buffalo Sauce: Made with just three pantry staples—butter, Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, and sugar—for that classic, tangy, and slightly sweet heat.
3. Healthier Alternative: Baking instead of frying makes these wings a lighter option, without sacrificing flavor or texture.
4. Simple Ingredients: No need for exotic or hard-to-find items—everything you need is likely already in your kitchen.
5. Customizable Heat: Adjust the spice level to suit your taste by increasing or decreasing the amount of hot sauce.

Ingredients Breakdown

For the Wings:
• Chicken Wings: Use a mix of wings and drummettes, and remove wingtips for easier handling.
• Baking Powder (Aluminum-Free): This is the secret ingredient that helps draw moisture out of the skin, resulting in that irresistible crispiness.
• Fine Sea Salt and Garlic Powder: Season the wings for a flavorful base that complements the buffalo sauce.

For the Buffalo Sauce:
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and smoothness to the sauce.
• Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce: The classic choice for buffalo wings, offering the perfect balance of tangy and spicy.
• Granulated or Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness to mellow the heat and create a well-rounded flavor profile.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken
1. Start by patting the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture ensures the wings crisp up in the oven.
2. Preheat your oven to 450˚F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet to allow the wings to cook evenly and crisp up from all sides.

Step 2: Season the Wings
1. In a small bowl, mix together the baking powder, salt, and garlic powder. Sprinkle this mixture over the chicken wings and toss until evenly coated. The baking powder works its magic by helping the skin crisp as it bakes.
2. Arrange the wings on the wire rack in a single layer, leaving a bit of space between each piece for proper air circulation.

Step 3: Bake the Wings
1. Place the wings in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.
2. Flip the wings over and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Baking at high heat is essential for achieving that restaurant-quality crispness without frying.

Step 4: Make the Buffalo Sauce
1. While the wings are baking, prepare the sauce. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, and sugar until well combined. This sauce is tangy, buttery, and has just the right amount of spice.
2. Taste and adjust the sweetness or heat to your liking.

Step 5: Toss and Serve
1. Once the wings are done, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over the hot wings and toss until they are evenly coated.
2. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ranch or blue cheese, along with celery and carrot sticks for a classic presentation.

Serving Suggestions

• Dipping Sauces: Pair your buffalo wings with cooling dips like ranch or blue cheese dressing to balance the heat.
• Veggie Sides: Add some crunch with celery sticks, carrot sticks, or cucumber slices.
• Party Platter: Include these wings as part of a game-day spread with sliders, nachos, and chips with guacamole.

Tips for Perfect Buffalo Wings

1. Dry the Wings Thoroughly: This step is crucial for crispiness, so take your time to pat the wings dry.
2. Don’t Skip the Baking Powder: It’s the key to crispy baked wings. Be sure to use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid any metallic taste.
3. High Heat is Essential: Baking at 450˚F ensures the wings crisp up nicely. If your wings aren’t crispy enough, you can broil them for an additional 2-3 minutes.
4. Make the Sauce Fresh: Toss the wings in the sauce right before serving to keep them crisp.

Why These Wings Are Better Than Takeout

These Crispy Buffalo Wings are a healthier, more flavorful alternative to takeout wings. By baking instead of frying, you get the same crispy texture without the extra oil. Plus, making your own buffalo sauce means you can control the spice level and sweetness to suit your taste.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason Buffalo wings are such a beloved snack—they’re the perfect combination of crispy, tangy, spicy, and satisfying. This recipe takes all the best parts of traditional wings and makes them easy to recreate at home. Whether you’re hosting a party, watching the big game, or just treating yourself to a delicious appetizer, these Crispy Buffalo Wings are guaranteed to be a hit.

So preheat that oven, grab your hot sauce, and get ready to enjoy the best wings you’ve ever made. Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments—what’s your favorite dipping sauce or wing pairing?

Crispy Buffalo Wings Recipe

These crispy Buffalo chicken wings are simply irresistible, coated in a delicious 3-ingredient homemade Buffalo sauce. Perfect for an easy, restaurant-quality appetizer.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 265 kcal

Ingredients

3 lbs chicken wings split into wings and drummettes, wingtips removed
1 Tbsp aluminum-free baking powder
1 tsp fine sea salt
2 tsp garlic powder

Buffalo Sauce:

1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
1/4 cup Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce
1 Tbsp granulated or brown sugar

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 450˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel.
In a bowl, mix the baking powder, salt, and garlic powder. Sprinkle the mixture over the chicken and toss until evenly coated. Arrange the wings on the prepared rack.
Bake the wings for 25 minutes, then flip them over and bake for another 25 minutes, or until they are crispy and fully cooked.
While the wings are baking, combine the Buffalo sauce ingredients in a medium bowl.
Once the wings are done, transfer them to a bowl, drizzle with the Buffalo sauce, and toss to coat. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.