Crispy, saucy, and ready in under 30 minutes — these Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings are a game day must or the perfect weeknight treat!
Hey friends,
Let’s talk wings. Specifically, these crispy, juicy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings that have totally won over my household. My husband’s always been a fan, but now even all three of my kids are hooked — so you can imagine we go through a lot of wings around here!
Instead of constantly ordering out, I started making them at home. And after a few trial runs in the oven and on the grill, the air fryer has officially earned top spot. It gets the wings golden and crisp without the fuss (or oil) of deep frying — and the whole thing takes less than 20 minutes.
Why You’ll Love Making Wings in the Air Fryer
The air fryer is a total win for quick-cooking wings that come out crispy on the outside and juicy inside. Here’s why I love it:
- No need to deep fry — less mess, less oil.
- Super fast — ready in under 20 minutes.
- Versatile — toss them in buffalo, BBQ, teriyaki, or any sauce you like.
And the best part? These are so easy, they’re perfect for busy weeknights and for impressing guests at a party.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s all you need to whip up a batch:
- Split chicken wings – Drumettes and flats, skin-on.
- Neutral oil – I use avocado oil for a high smoke point.
- Salt + garlic powder – For simple, tasty seasoning.
- Baking powder – This is the trick to that crispy skin!
- Butter – Helps the sauce stick and adds flavor.
- Buffalo sauce – I use Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wings Sauce, but feel free to use your favorite or make your own.
How to Make Buffalo Wings in the Air Fryer
You won’t believe how easy this is. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Pat the wings dry with a paper towel. Dry skin = crispy skin.
- Toss with oil in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle with seasonings and toss again.
- Add baking powder and toss once more to coat evenly.
- Place wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer — don’t crowd them. Work in batches if needed.
- Air fry at 400°F for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
- Toss in warm buffalo sauce + melted butter, and serve hot!
Flavor Options Beyond Buffalo
Not a fan of buffalo? You’re in luck — these wings are a blank canvas! Try tossing them in:
- Garlic Parmesan
- Honey BBQ
- Teriyaki glaze
- Sweet Chili Sauce
- Honey Mustard
Or, marinate them ahead of time using your favorite wing marinade — they cook up beautifully either way.
What Makes Air Fryer Wings Better?
In restaurants, wings are typically deep fried — tasty, but not exactly light. The air fryer gives you that same crispy outside using just a little oil and baking powder. No breading, no heavy grease — just great flavor and crunch with way less mess.
Plus, it’s a healthier take that still satisfies those spicy, saucy cravings.
Serve with All the Fixings
I love keeping it classic with celery sticks and either ranch or blue cheese for dipping. But if you’re serving a crowd, put out a few sauces and let everyone dress their own. Great for game day or any casual get-together!
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
These Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings are everything you want in a quick and satisfying meal or game-day snack—crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and coated in that classic tangy buffalo flavor.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wings Sauce
- 1.5 – 2 pounds split chicken wings
- 2 teaspoons oil (avocado oil works well)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings dry and place them in a large bowl.
- Drizzle with oil and toss well so the wings are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the salt, garlic powder, and paprika over the wings and toss again to distribute the seasonings.
- Add the baking powder and give the wings a light final toss—this helps with crispiness.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer in your air fryer basket, leaving space between them for airflow.
- Cook in batches if necessary.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the wings for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even browning.
- While the wings cook, melt the butter in a small pan or microwave-safe bowl, then stir in the buffalo sauce until well combined.
- Once the wings are done, transfer them to a large bowl or container with a lid. Pour in the buffalo sauce mixture, cover, and shake gently until the wings are fully coated.
- Serve right away with celery sticks and either ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 590Total Fat 46gSaturated Fat 17gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 25gCholesterol 143mgSodium 1514mgCarbohydrates 18gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 27g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.