The BEST crispy air fryer buffalo wings! Tossed in spices, baked until the most perfect crispy skin while keeping the meat juicy and tender, and then tossed in a delicious buffalo sauce. Super easy to make and a perfect appetizer, game day or Super Bowl snack, party food, or fun weeknight dinner. And so much better for you than your typical deep fried chicken wings! Paleo, gluten free, and Whole30 approved.
It’s almost game time and that means it’s time for some wings! I finally perfected these air fryer buffalo wings and I’m so excited to share them!
If you don’t know what I’m talking about when I say game time, I mean the Super Bowl!! We are less than a week out and that means time to dream about all the delicious foods that come with it!!
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I enjoy football. I grew up watching it with my dad, know a decent amount about it, and still enjoy watching it with Michael. Unless he is watching the Browns game because that is just annoying…he gets way to intense about it. Anyone else’s partner do this?!
Anyways, even though I like football, I LOVE football food. Chicken wings, chips and all the dips, snack food, appetizers, chili…you can’t go wrong!
Chicken wings have to be one of my favorites though. I grew up eating them with my dad and it brings back so many good memories. Although, it wasn’t until I was older that I found out they aren’t the best for you. I had no idea they were deep fried and covered in a buttery sauce (I thought it was just hot sauce!).
So today we are making a healthy version using the air fryer and a homemade buffalo sauce!
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Crispy air fryer buffalo wings are tossed in a little oil and spices, air fried until perfectly crispy, and then tossed in a delicious buffalo sauce. A healthy alternative to deep fried wings and the perfect appetizer, game day or party food, or fun weeknight dinner.
Here is what you need:
- chicken wings – I love ButcherBox!
- garlic powder
- paprika
- cayenne
- buffalo sauce
- oil
- salt and pepper
First start off by pat drying your wings. Use a paper towel to remove any excess moisture from the outside. This ensures that spices will stick.
Then, in a medium bowl, mix wing with a little oil and the garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, 1 tablespoon buffalo sauce, and salt and pepper. Make sure to fully coat.
Place chicken wings in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Try not to overcrowd the wings so there is enough room for the air to circulate and get them super crispy.
Cook on 400 for 20-22 minuets until browned and crispy on the outside. You will probably have to cook them in a few batches depending on how large your air fry is.
Once wings are done, add to a large bowl. Finally pour over the remaining buffalo sauce and mix well to combine. Serve with your favorite dips (ranch or blue cheese), carrots, and celery and enjoy right away!
How long does it take to cook wings in an air fryer?
Crispy air fryer chicken wings take 20-22 minutes. This time gives them an amazing crispy skin (just like they were deep fried) while keeping the meat juicy and tender. When done, the wings reach be 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally when using a meat thermometer.
Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
So you forgot to defrost your chicken wings? No problem as you can totally make them from frozen!
To make frozen wings in your air fryer, toss with a little oil and spices to fully coat. Put in the bottom of your air fryer and cook on 400 for 30 minutes. I suggest checking your wings halfway though to make sure there isn’t any liquid build up (since they are frozen) as you don’t want them to stem. Finally, toss with your buffalo sauce and enjoy!
How many wings can you cook in an air fryer?
In my Philips XXL air fryer, I can fit 8-10 wings at a time depending on how large they are. If your air fryer is smaller or you don’t use an air fryer with a basket (and it looks more like a toaster oven), you might be able to fit more or less.
Can you stack chicken wings in an air fryer?
I don’t recommend stacking your chicken wings in the air fryer. You might think it will save time, but you will compromise the results. You want them in a single layer, with a little breathing room in-between them, so the air can evenly circulate yielding the most crispy wings.
How to reheat Chicken Wings
Air fryer:
To reheat chicken wings in the air fryer, place chicken wings back in your air fryer basket and set on 400 for 5-6 minutes until heated through.
Oven:
To reheat chicken wings in the oven, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place chicken wings on baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until heated through.
What to serve with wings?
I love making these healthy blue cheese sauce as a dip. It feels so fancy, but is totally easy and better for you than your typical blue cheese dressing. Here is what you need:
- 2 1/2 tablespoons greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles (about 1 ounce)
- 1/2-1 tablespoon lemon juice
- lots of pepper
- a little salt
Simply mix all the ingredients together until combined but still chunky from the blue cheese.
Here are some other options:
- ranch
- hot sauce or more buffalo sauce
- carrots
- celery
Oven Baked Buffalo Wings
You can totally make these in the oven if you don’t have an air fryer!
Preheat your oven to 415 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a cookie drying rack over it. This will help make sure they get even air flow and the bottoms will get nice and crispy.
Spray the top of the rack with a little avocado oil to make sure they don’t stick. Toss wings in spices and oil and baked for 35-40 minutes until desired crispiness. Finally, toss with the buffalo sauce when done.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Crispy Garlic Rosemary Potatoes
Air Fryer Boneless Buffalo Wings
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken wings (about 16 wings)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2-3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/3 cup homemade buffalo sauce (or more for your liking)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pat dry wings with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Add to a large bowl and add avocado oil, 1 tablespoon buffalo sauce, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- If desired, spray the bottom of you air fryer basket with oil (I used avocado oil spray). Place wings in your air fryer basket, evenly spreading out and leaving a little room in between them so the air can easily flow through. Close drawer, set air fryer on manual at 400°F for 22 minutes. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will probably have to cook the wings in two batches to make sure they are not overcrowded.
- When the wings are almost done, either make or heat up the buffalo sauce.
- Once wings are done, add to a large bowl and pour buffalo sauce over wings. Carefully mix to coat the wings. Serve with ranch or blue cheese, carrots, celery, and more hot sauce and enjoy immediately*!
Notes
Nutrition
This post may contain affiliate links and I may make little bit of money if you click on and purchase the products that are linked. It doesn’t cost you any extra money. The compensation helps with expenses to keep ETG up and running. I truly appreciate your support!
They are perfect
The best! Makes me think of you too 🙂
Amazing! & SO easy! I bought Frank’s buffalo sauce instead of making my own since she said she likes Franks hot sauce. Perfect amount of spice.
My favorite hot sauce! Glad you liked them Kendall, thanks for trying!!
I’m gluten free & haven’t been able to master a breaded wing yet! These are to DIE FOR! So easy & quick, a staple in our house now!
So happy to hear that Ashley! We love them too – thanks for trying them!!
Amazing!!!
I was skeptical about the blue cheese recipe and ohhhhh man. Blew me away! I wish i discovered it sooner
Haha!! I love this! So glad you enjoyed the whole recipe haha, and thank you for trying it!
These are seriously amazing. Thank you, Kelly! I have made them four times now. I even made a batch for my daughter and brought them to her house today.
I love hearing this and what a great surprise for your daughter! Thank you for trying them Emmy and glad you enjoy them!!
I have made these so many times an kept forgetting to leave a review, I loved them as did my family. I failed on the buffalo sauce recipe and made it way to hot. So I ended up using the Frank’s buffalo the last few times I made them. So yummy and I love the batter for these as its light but crunchy! Thanks for another awesome recipe!!
So glad they are a hit with your family! And love Frank’s – I put it on everything!! Thanks for trying them Teresa!
These were delicious and so easy to make. Even my oldest son who does’t really like buffalo wings said they were delicious! Can’t wait to make them again..
Glad everyone liked them Jocelyn! Thanks for trying!
These are amazing! We have made them 3x this summer. My boyfriend says they are better than BDUBS especially the homemade sauce!
But so good! Haven’t tried a recipe I haven’t liked from EattheGains!!
YES! That makes my day!! Glad you guys like them and thanks for trying!
Made these tonight and they were delicious!! They cooked so fast and came out very crispy. Love the flavors too. Will definitely be making these again!
Glad to hear you enjoyed them Melissa! Thanks for trying them!
Can I use vegetable oil instead of avocado oil?