Chicken Wings (Classic Crispy Buffalo Style)

30 minute air fryer buffalo chicken wings

Nothing beats the perfect combination of crispy skin and tender meat that comes from perfectly cooked Chicken Wings. This 30 minute air fryer buffalo chicken wings recipe delivers restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen, with less oil and mess than traditional deep frying. These wings are incredibly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a tangy, buttery buffalo sauce that will have everyone coming back for more.

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The secret to achieving that coveted crispy texture lies in the air fryer’s circulating hot air technology, combined with a few key techniques that ensure maximum crispiness. Whether you’re hosting game day, planning a casual dinner, or just craving some seriously good wings, this recipe will become your go-to method.

Chicken Wings (Classic Crispy Buffalo Style)

Whip up 30 minute air fryer buffalo chicken wings that are extra-crispy outside, tender inside, and tossed in a zesty homemade buffalo sauce. Perfect for game day!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer
• Large Mixing Bowls 🥣
• Small Saucepan
• Whisk
• Paper Towel
• Tongs

Ingredients

  

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For the Chicken Wings

• 2 Pounds Chicken wings Split into flats and drumettes
• 1 Tsp Baking powder Aluminum-free preferred
• 1 Tsp Garlic powder
• 1 Tsp Onion powder
• 1 Tsp Smoked paprika
• 1 Tsp Salt
• ½ Tsp Black pepper
• ½ Tsp Cayenne pepper optional, for extra heat

For the Classic Buffalo Sauce

• ½ Cup Hot sauce Frank’s RedHot recommended
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 Tsp White vinegar
• ¼ Tsp Garlic powder
• ⅛ Tsp Cayenne pepper adjust to taste

For Serving

• Ranch or blue cheese dressing
• Celery sticks
• Carrot sticks

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Instructions

 

Preparing the Wings

• Pat wings completely dry using paper towels. This is crucial for achieving crispy skin. Remove any excess moisture by patting multiple times and letting them sit uncovered for 10 minutes.
• Season the wings by combining baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne in a large bowl. The baking powder is the secret ingredient that helps create incredibly crispy skin by raising the pH and breaking down proteins.
• Toss wings thoroughly with the seasoning mixture, ensuring every piece is evenly coated. Use your hands to really work the seasoning into every crevice of the wings.
• Let wings rest for 10 minutes at room temperature. This allows the seasoning to penetrate and the baking powder to begin its work.

Cooking the Wings

• Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes. This ensures even cooking from the start.
• Arrange wings in single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap. You may need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size. Overcrowding will result in uneven cooking and less crispy wings.
• Cook for 12 minutes at 380°F, then flip each wing using tongs. The skin should be starting to look golden and crispy.
• Continue cooking for 10-13 minutes more, until wings reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is deeply golden and crispy. Total cooking time should be 22-25 minutes.
• Check for doneness by ensuring juices run clear and the skin is crispy to the touch. If needed, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Making the Buffalo Sauce:

• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat while wings are cooking.
• Add hot sauce and whisk continuously to combine. The mixture should be smooth and well incorporated.
• Add vinegar and seasonings, whisking until the sauce is glossy and emulsified. Remove from heat and keep warm.

Final Assembly:

• Toss hot wings immediately with buffalo sauce in a large bowl, ensuring each wing is completely coated. The hot wings will help the sauce adhere better.
• Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and carrot sticks.

Notes

🔸️Temperature matters: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure wings reach 165°F internally while maintaining crispy skin.

 

🔸️Don’t skip the baking powder: This alkaline ingredient is essential for breaking down skin proteins and achieving maximum crispiness.

 

🔸️Work in batches: Overcrowding the air fryer basket will steam the wings rather than crisp them.

 

🔸️Sauce timing: Always toss wings with sauce immediately after cooking while they’re still hot for best adherence.

 

Storage and Reheating

 

Store leftover wings in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it will make the skin soggy.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcal

Keyword Chicken Wings

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Variations :

Try different sauce combinations like honey garlic, teriyaki, or dry rub seasonings. The cooking method remains the same, just change up your finishing sauce or seasoning blend.

These air fryer buffalo wings deliver all the flavor and satisfaction of traditional deep-fried wings with less mess and healthier cooking. The result is perfectly crispy skin, juicy meat, and that classic buffalo flavor that makes these wings absolutely irresistible.