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This air fryer buffalo wings recipe makes golden and crispy wings that are coated in that signature bold and buttery hot sauce you crave! No need to mess with the classics.
You also like my Buffalo Chicken Soup or Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip next.
What you’ll need
There’s nothing better than traditional buffalo wings, which is why my recipe doesn’t have any unnecessary ingredients. They’re fiery, juicy, and crispy. Making them in the air fryer eliminates excess grease, and they’re faster and cheaper than at a sports bar!
We’re talking just 30 minutes until piping hot air fryer hot wings are ready for game day at home, your next party, or whenever you want a satisfying snack with a kick. Hey, I’ve been known to eat chicken wings for dinner on my couch since they’re just so simple.
What you’ll need
- Chicken – make sure to generously season the wings with salt & pepper
- Olive oil – to crisp up the skin
- Frank’s hot sauce – the only way to make hot wings. If your fingers aren’t stained red after eating these, you’re doing it wrong!
- Butter – it balances the heat and adds irresistible buttery rich goodness
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- I keep it classy by eating these wings by the TV with one of these cafeteria-style trays. Oh yeah.
- Here’s the air fryer model I recommend. It accommodates a generous number of wings, and I flip them easily with a pair of kitchen tongs.
- Store butter in this butter dish — it has handy markings for measuring it out!
How to make air fryer buffalo wings
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil, and preheat. Toss the chicken with the olive oil and a generous coating of salt & pepper. Cook the wings in a single layer, turning them halfway through. Meanwhile, make the buffalo sauce in a large prep bowl.
Once crispy and cooked through, remove the wings from the air fryer. Add them to the bowl with the sauce, and toss to coat them evenly. Serve right away with blue cheese or ranch dip.
Helpful tips
- It may go without saying, but these wings could be too spicy for some.
- Air fryers work by circulating hot air in and around the chicken, so be sure to cook it separated and in a single layer for evenly cooked, crisped up wings.
- Timing may vary depending on your model.
Substitutions and variations
- Try my Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings instead if you want something more basic/not spicy.
- The ingredients for buffalo sauce are pretty set, but you could add a bit of brown sugar or honey if you want a hint of sweetness.
- I’m a purist, but a touch of smoked paprika is a popular add-in!
What to serve with air fryer buffalo wings
- Pair them with your favorite blue cheese or ranch dip for that irresistible creamy, tangy cooling effect. I love my Homemade Ranch Dressing especially! For blue cheese, Ken’s dressing is a great option.
- Round out this tasty appetizer with celery sticks and carrots.
Leftovers and storage
- If there are any leftovers, they will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in a sealed container.
- Reheat them in the air fryer at 350F for 5-7 minutes, checking fairly often. Keep in mind they may not come out as crispy or saucy as the first time since they’ve already got sauce on them.
- I wouldn’t recommend freezing these, but if you do, thaw before reheating.
More game day recipes
If you made these buffalo chicken wings in the air fryer, please leave a star rating and review below! You can also tag me on Instagram with photos. I’d love to see them.
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken wings split into drummettes and flats
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup Frank's Red Hot Original Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- For serving: blue cheese or ranch dressing, celery sticks
Instructions
- Spray your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray and preheat the air fryer to 400F.
- Dry the wings with paper towels and add them to a fairly large prep bowl. Toss them with the olive oil and salt & pepper (I'm generous with both).
- Add the wings to your air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes then flip (use tongs to make it easy) and cook for another 10 minutes or until crispy and cooked through. If your wings are particularly small or large, you may need to adjust cooking time.
- Meanwhile, add the butter to a microwave-safe bowl that's large enough to fit the wings. Microwave in intervals until melted, then stir in the Frank's Red Hot sauce.
- Once the wings are done, take them out of the air fryer, add them to the bowl with the buffalo sauce, and toss until coated. Serve immediately (the skin will soften up the longer it sits) with blue cheese or ranch dressing and celery sticks on the side.
Notes
- Air fryers can vary, so if you know yours runs hot, for example, check on the wings a couple of minutes prior to the cooking time expiring to see if they’re done.
- If you want to double or triple the recipe, I suggest cooking the wings in batches. Don’t crowd the air fryer basket or they won’t be crispy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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