Buffalo Wings

by KetoFocus.com
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Get restaurant worthy wings right at home with this chicken wing recipe. These buffalo wings are coated with special ingredients and baked in the oven to create the ultimate crispy wing, then generously coated with a homemade buffalo sauce for a fiery and flavorful kick.

Buffalo wings that are everything you would expect to find at your favorite wing restaurant – crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor – but are easy enough to make at home in your oven.

Juicy buffalo wings on parchment paper next to a small bowl of blue cheese dressing topped with parsley.

Since these baked buffalo wings are cooked in the oven, you don’t have to worry about rancid oils or a splatter oil mess to clean up from frying. Yet, you can still get that chicken fried crispiness in the oven by sprinkling the party wings with a magical mix of baking powder, salt, garlic powder and black pepper. The salt and baking powder work to seal in the moisture from the juicy chicken while drying out the skin to create that desired crunchy texture you want.

Don’t want to use your oven? Air fry these buffalo wings in your air fryer for even crispier wings!

While the party wings are getting nice and crispy in the oven, whip up a tangy buffalo sauce using Franks Red Hot or your favorite hot sauce, melted butter, minced garlic, vinegar, and salt. Toss the finished crispy wings in the homemade buffalo sauce. The flavorful sauce is not only simple to make but it contains clean ingredients compared to bottled buffalo sauce, so go ahead an use it to make other buffalo flavored favorites like buffalo chicken dip or buffalo cauliflower.

Don’t forget to garnish with crumbled blue cheese, chopped parsley, and serve alongside celery sticks and a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing for the ultimate buffalo wings feast.

 

How to make buffalo wings

Here’s a quick run down on how to make buffalo wings in the oven:

  1. Pat wings dry with a paper towel – dry chicken skin = crispy chicken skin.
  2. Mix crunchy chicken coating – baking powder, salt, garlic powder and pepper – and toss with wings to even coat.
  3. Bake the party chicken wings in the oven at 450°F for 28-35 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  4. Make homemade buffalo sauce by combining hot sauce, melted butter, vinegar and salt.
  5. Pour buffalo sauce all over baked, crispy wings and toss or stir with tongs to coat.

Serve with celery sticks and a side of blue cheese dressing or ranch.  Enjoy the crispy, juicy, and flavorful buffalo wings that will surely impress!

Buffalo Wings Recipe Video

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Buffalo Wings Ingredients

  • 2 ½ pounds party chicken wings
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ⅓ cup Franks Red Hot Sauce
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or white vinegar

Buffalo Wings Directions

  • Buffalo Wings
  • A parchment lined tray with buffalo wings topped with parsley and blue cheese crumbles next to a bowl of dressing.

    How to make buffalo sauce

    Bottled buffalo sauce can often contain some unnecessary ingredients and can be pricey. It’s pretty easy to make your own with ingredients you probably already have on hand.

    Using four simple ingredients – hot sauce, melted butter, vinegar and salt, you can make your own tangy, spicy buffalo sauce in less than a minute!

    This homemade buffalo sauce recipe uses Frank’s Red Hot sauce; however, any hot sauce can be used. Use a spicier hot sauce for a hotter buffalo sauce. Use less hot sauce for a mild buffalo sauce.

    Whole chicken wings vs party wings

    Full chicken wings consist of three parts: the drumette (the upper part resembling a mini drumstick), the wingette (the middle section with two small bones), and the wing tip (the pointed end). Whole wings are commonly served as a entrée for a meal.

    Party wings consist of the wingettes and drumette sections of the full wing. The wing tip is usually removed as there isn’t much meat on this portion. Party wings are often preferred for appetizers, finger foods, or when making buffalo wings. Their smaller size makes them easier to handle and typically results in quicker cooking times.

    A chicken wing with dotted lines showing the separation of drumette from wingette/flat and tip.

    How to cut chicken wings into party wings

    1.  Start by locating the joint between the drumette and the wingette. There will be a natural bend in the wing where the two sections meet.
    2.  Hold the wing firmly with one hand and use a sharp knife to cut through the joint separating the drumette from the wingette.
    3.  Repeat this process to separate the flat wingette from the wing tip. Discard the wing tip.
    Chicken wings baked and coated with buffalo sauce and topped with black pepper and minced parsley.

    Tips for crispy buffalo wings

    • Pat dry the wings: Before seasoning or coating the wings, use a paper towel to thoroughly pat them dry. Moisture on the surface of the chicken skin can hinder crispiness, so removing excess moisture is crucial.
    • Baking powder coating: Coat wings with a mixture of baking powder and salt. The baking powder helps to draw out moisture from the wings’ skin, promoting crispiness during baking. Baking soda and cornstarch work similarly and are often used in wings recipes.
    • Bake at a high heat: High heat helps to render to the chicken fat and crisp up the skin.
    • Use a wire rack: Elevate the wings from the surface of the baking sheet to allow for better air circulation. The hot oven air is able to reach the underside of the wings and all around the edges, creating a crispy outer layer.
    • Finish them under the broiler: If you desire even more crispiness, finish the wings under the broiler on high for 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn.

    Boneless buffalo wings

    This is a bone-in buffalo wing recipe. If you prefer boneless buffalo wings, you can still use this recipe to make to your own buffalo sauce; however, the chicken and coating will be different.

    To make boneless buffalo wings, you can’t use party wings or chicken wings. Most recipes will use chunks of chicken breast, chicken tenders or chicken thigh meat.

    Instead of toss the chicken pieces in a mixture of baking powder and salt, boneless wings are generally coated in a crispy panko crust similar to chicken strips. Try tossing the chicken bites in a mixture of almond flour and pork panko, then air frying, baking or pan frying until cooked through.

    Storage information

    To store buffalo wings, first allow them to cool at room temperature before storing in the refrigerator or freezer. Once cooled, you have a few options:

    Store in the refrigerator

    Place the buffalo wings in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in a ziploc bag or wrapped in aluminum foil. Store the hot wings in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep in mind that refrigerated wings may lose some crispiness but can still be reheated.

    Store in the freezer

    To store buffalo wings for a longer period, freezing is the best option. Place the hot wings in a freezer-safe container or ziploc bag. Ensure they are sealed well to prevent freezer burn. Buffalo wings can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

    Reheating instructions

    • Oven method: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the wings on a baking sheet and reheat for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
    • Air fryer method: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the wings in a single layer and reheat for about 5-8 minutes or until warmed.

    Remember the wings may not be as crispy as they were when they were first baked; however all of those spicy, zesty flavors are still in tact.

    Buffalo Wings: FAQS

    Can I use frozen party wings?

    Yes, you can use frozen chicken wings but it's important to thaw them completely before coating and baking. Using thawed wings allows for more even cooking and ensures that they reach the desired level of crispiness. You can thaw the wings in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Once thawed, pat them dry with a paper towel before coating them with the baking powder mixture and baking them in the oven.

    Can I substitute baking powder with baking soda?

    Although some wing recipes do use baking soda rather than baking powder, it's important to use less baking soda. Try using 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Too much baking soda will other power the flavor and you'll be left with unpleasant tasting wings.

    How to make buffalo sauce spicer?

    For a spicer or hotter buffalo sauce, either add more hot sauce, use a hot sauce with a higher heat, or add in cayenne pepper.

    Is buffalo sauce keto?

    Yes, this buffalo sauce recipe only uses four ingredients - hot sauce, butter, vinegar and salt. All are zero carb ingredients.

    Nutritional information & Macros

    Nutrition Information

    Buffalo Wings

    Servings: 6

    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 490
    Fat 37.4g
    Protein 35.3g
    Total Carbs 1.9g
    Net Carbs 1.8g

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