These crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Wings deliver the perfect game-day crunch without the mess of deep frying. Ready in just 30 minutes, they pack bold, spicy flavors that’ll make your taste buds dance.
With only 363 calories per serving and 17g of protein, they’re a lighter take on the classic buffalo wing – but trust me, you won’t miss the extra oil. Perfect for parties, weeknight dinners, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer that doesn’t compromise on taste.
What You’ll Need?
- Chicken Wings: 1.5 lbs, split into drums and flats, room temperature for even cooking
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon, helps achieve golden crispiness
- Garlic Salt: 1 teaspoon, for perfect seasoning
- Hot Sauce: 1/2 cup, foundation of buffalo sauce
- Unsalted Butter: 1/4 cup melted, creates rich sauce texture
- Granulated Sugar: 2 tablespoons, balances the heat
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Wings: Pat wings dry thoroughly with paper towels for maximum crispiness
- Season: Toss wings with olive oil and garlic salt in a large bowl until evenly coated
- Prepare Air Fryer: Line basket with parchment or foil for easy cleanup
- Arrange: Place wings in a single layer for optimal air circulation
- Air Fry: Cook at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, flip halfway for even crispiness
- Make Sauce: Combine hot sauce, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl, whisk until smooth
- Coat Wings: Toss cooked wings in buffalo sauce until well covered
- Serve: Enjoy immediately with celery and your favorite dipping sauce
Cooking Techniques
Air frying gives these wings an amazing crispy outside while keeping the inside juicy! For the best results, don’t skip patting the wings dry – this helps create that restaurant-style crunch. If your wings aren’t quite as crispy as you’d like after the cooking time, you can add an extra 2-3 minutes. Just keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
Sauce Variations
Want to change things up? Try these tasty twists on the buffalo sauce:
- Make it mild by using half the hot sauce
- Create a honey buffalo blend by replacing the sugar with honey
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder for extra zip
- Mix in 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning for a zesty kick
Serving Suggestions
These wings are perfect for game day! Serve them hot with:
- Cool, creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Extra buffalo sauce on the side
- Crisp celery and carrot sticks
- A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley Want to make it a meal? Add some sweet potato fries or a fresh green salad!
Storage Tips
These wings taste best fresh from the air fryer, but you can save leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes – they’ll crisp right up! The sauce can separate when stored, so give it a quick stir before using any extras.
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Paper Towels
- Large Bowl
- Parchment Paper or Foil
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken wings split into drums and flats
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
Instructions
- Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel and then place them into a large bowl.
- Pour the oil and garlic salt over the chicken. Toss to coat.
- Place parchment or foil in the bottom of your air fryer basket for easy cleanup. Place the chicken pieces in the lined fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry the chicken at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.
- While the chicken is cooking, make the buffalo sauce by adding together the hot sauce, melted butter, and granulated sugar in a medium bowl.
- Whisk the sauce together until smooth.
- Once the chicken is done cooking, place it in the bowl with the buffalo sauce and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately with fresh celery and your favorite dipping sauce.
