Easy Air Fryer Buffalo Wings Are a Game Day Favorite

Making Buffalo wings in the air fryer gives you delicious wings with a crispy exterior, juicy interior, and zesty Buffalo sauce without the mess and calories of deep-frying. Buffalo wings are a spicy staple perfect for game days and casual get-togethers, and there is no better way to make them at home than in your air fryer.

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These wings come out perfect every time. The air fryer helps render excess fat, leaving the skin wonderfully crispy. Toss them with mild, medium, or hot Buffalo sauce and enjoy!.

Since there is no added oil, I can indulge in these crispy chicken wings more often without the guilt. It’s a fuss-free process that delivers consistently delicious results, making it easy to whip up a batch of wings whenever the craving hits.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of seasoning and air frying these wings, along with all my best tips. Plus, I’ll tell you how to reheat them, in the unlikely event you don’t finish them all off immediately!

🥘Ingredient Notes

For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below

• Chicken wings: I always look for fresh chicken wings. Frozen wings will work, but they should be completely thawed so they cook evenly.
• Baking powder: The secret ingredient that makes the wings nice and crispy.
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Butter
• Buffalo hot sauce: Hot sauce and wing sauce are different! If you use wing sauce, you can skip the butter.

🥣How to Make Buffalo Wings in the Air Fryer

1. Pat the wings dry with paper towels.
2. Place them in a mixing bowl and sprinkle over the baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the wings until they are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
3. Next, arrange the seasoned wings in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook them at 360 degrees F for 18 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through the cooking time.
4. After the initial cooking period, check the internal temperature of the wings to verify they have reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
5. Increase the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F and cook the wings for 6 minutes to crisp the skin.
6. In the meantime, melt the butter in a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, then whisk it with the hot sauce.
7. After cooking the wings, transfer them to a different bowl and toss them with half of the Buffalo sauce mixture to coat them thoroughly.
8. Place the sauce-coated wings back into the air fryer and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 more minutes. This step is optional, but I like caramelizing the sauce on the wings.
9. Finally, serve the wings hot and the remaining Buffalo sauce for dipping or additional coating as desired.

🍴Serving Ideas

When I serve these air fryer wings, presentation is critical. Put a small bowl of extra sauce on the side for dipping for those who like their wings extra spicy.

And, of course, your favorite dipping sauce is essential. Blue cheese dressing is the classic choice that offers a strong, tangy counterpoint to the heat. Creamy ranch dressing is another favorite for a milder dip.

Choosing the right side dishes can balance the heat and add texture to your buffalo wing experience. I like:

• Celery Sticks: These provide a refreshing crunch and help to cool you off from the spicy wings.
• Coleslaw: The creamy and tangy flavors cut through the spice nicely. My blue cheese coleslaw is especially good with wings!
• Sweet Cornbread: For a bit of sweetness to contrast the zesty wings.

💭How to Store

Let the wings cool to room temperature. Never store them hot, as it causes condensation. Place the wings in a single layer in an airtight container. You can keep them in the fridge like this for up to three days.

🍗Reheating Instructions

Crispy wings are a must, and here’s how I reheat mine:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
2. Arrange the wings in the basket in a single layer.
3. Heat them for about 5-6 minutes.

Check if they’re heated through. If not, give ’em an extra minute, but watch them closely to prevent burning.

❓What’s the Difference Between Hot Sauce and Wing Sauce?

Buffalo wing sauce is a hot sauce that has added butter and possibly other seasonings, like garlic or honey. Wing sauce is richer and smoother than hot sauce because of the butter.

I include a basic wing sauce using hot sauce and butter in this Buffalo wing recipe. But you can toss the wings with a store-bought wing sauce or make a more complicated homemade Buffalo wing sauce.

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