My air fryer buffalo wings are the perfect mix of crispy, juicy, and spicy. Even my husband from Buffalo says they are one of the best chicken wings he’s eaten!
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please read my disclaimer.
My Favorite Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
If there’s one thing my husband Ben is picky about, it’s his buffalo wings. He was born and raised in Buffalo. We still spend a lot of amount of time there, so I can say we’ve had our good share of amazing wings.
These air fryer buffalo wings came into the picture to please my husband so he could enjoy Bill’s games with a dose of nostalgia – with chicken wings that tasted as if they came from Buffalo.
I had to not only perfect chicken wings in the air fryer, but also add that creamy, spicy kick that the buffalo wing sauce brings. The end result? Wings that he just has to have all football season—and, honestly, all year long. He’s even said these are the “best air fryer wings ever!”
My recipe crisps up so much better than the oven and even cooks faster when air frying them.
And, if you love a good air fryer chicken wing recipe, try my recipes for air fryer frozen chicken wings, breaded chicken wings, air fryer boneless wings, air fryer lemon pepper wings, and how to reheat chicken wings in the air fryer.
Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Wings
- Chicken wings – fresh raw chicken wings with the flats and drumettes separated
- Salt and black pepper – to enhance the natural flavor of the wings
- Frank’s Red Hot sauce – Texas Pete and Crystal Hot Sauce work in a pinch, but I find Frank’s hot to have the best flavor
- Butter – to add creaminess to the sauce
- White vinegar – adds some acid to the sauce to intensify the flavor
- Worcestershire sauce – adds a bit of a savory element to balance the flavors
- Cayenne pepper – brings in a little more heat
- Garlic powder – completes the savory flavor profile
How to Make Buffalo Wings in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F and pat the chicken wings dry using a paper towel.
STEP TWO: Coat them with a generous amount of salt and a little pepper.
STEP THREE: Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket in one layer and cook them for 20-22 minutes until the wings are cooked all the way through.
STEP FOUR: While the chicken wings are cooking, combine the Frank’s Red Hot sauce, butter, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Whisk frequently until the mixture comes to a simmer and the butter is melted, then set aside.
STEP FIVE: Flip the wings, then increase the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees and continue cooking the wings until they are crispy on the outside, about 4-5 minutes.
STEP SIX: Toss the wings in the buffalo sauce in a large bowl or use it as a dipping sauce. Enjoy immediately.
Tips for The Best Air Fryer Wings
- Make sure to pat the wings as dry as possible with a paper towel. I find the dryer the wings go into the air fryer, the crispier they get.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. The hot air needs to be able to circulate around each wing. I recommend placing them in a single layer with some space between them and cook in batches if needed.
- Use a parchment paper liner or silicone liner to help make cleaning the air fryer easier.
- For a milder buffalo sauce, decrease the amount of Frank’s Red Hot sauce and increase the amount of butter in the sauce, or use this mild buffalo sauce recipe instead.
- Counter the spiciness of the buffalo sauce by serving it with blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and carrots.
Variations and Substitutions for Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
- For a tasty twist on the flavor, try garlic Parmesan or honey BBQ in place of buffalo sauce.
- Dial up the heat with extra hot sauce or a sprinkle of ghost pepper in the seasoning.
- Mix in dried herbs like dill or thyme to add a pop of freshness.
- Go Asian-inspired by brushing your wings with teriyaki or hoisin sauce in the last few minutes of cooking. I’ve done this and even BBQ sauce on my wings.
- Switch out the buffalo sauce ingredients with your favorite store bought version, but honestly my homemade version is so much better.
- Add baking powder to the chicken wings to create a different type of crispy skin. I have a recipe made specifically for doing this.
- Instead of serving with ranch or blue cheese, try dipping in Greek yogurt-based dips for a healthier game day option.
What to Serve with Buffalo Wings in the Air Fryer
I always serve my air fryer buffalo chicken wings with blue cheese. It’s definitely a Buffalo and Rochester thing, but honestly, the flavors blend much better than ranch dressing.
When I’m serving these wings for game day or another kind of party, I also love serving them alongside air fryer chicken tenders, air fry jalapeno poppers, air fryer pizza rolls, frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer, and bagel bites in the air fryer. Basically, I serve a nice platter of my air fryer appetizer favorites.
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings FAQs
Are Air Fryer Chicken Wings Healthier?
Since air fryer wings are made without any oil, it makes them much healthier than deep frying them. That means less calories for the same amount of crispiness!
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Hot Wings
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. If I can, I keep the buffalo sauce separate from the wings, but they still store well when coated in the sauce.
How to Reheat Buffalo Wings in the Air Fryer
Reheat leftover buffalo wings in an air fryer preheated at 400 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes until warmed through. If I am reheating them with the sauce already on them, I will use a parchment liner or air fryer pan to help with clean up.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Hot Dogs
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Frozen Hamburgers in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Pork Loin in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Bacon
- Air Fryer Chicken
Love air frying? Join our newsletter! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or join our free Facebook Air Frying Community.
Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken wings flats and drumettes separated
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Buffalo Sauce
- 1/3 cup franks red hot sauce
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Pinch of garlic powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F (190 C).
- Pat the chicken wings dry and coat them with a generous amount of salt and a little pepper.
- Place the chicken wings in the basket in one layer. Cook for about 20-22 minutes until chicken wings are cooked through.
- While the chicken wings are cooking, combine the Franks red hot sauce, butter, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt into a small sauce pan on medium low heat. Whisk frequently until mixture comes to a simmer and butter is completely melted then set aside.
- Flip the wings, then increase the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees and continue cooking the wings until they are crispy on the outside, about 4-5 minutes.
- Coat with buffalo sauce or use it as a dipping sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the basket to ensure the chicken wings all cook evenly.
- For a milder buffalo sauce, decrease the amount of Frank’s Red Hot sauce and increase the amount of butter in the sauce.
- Counter the spiciness of the buffalo sauce by serving it with blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and carrots.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Store the wings separate from the buffalo sauce, if possible.
- Reheat leftovers in an preheated air fryer at 400 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes until warmed through.
- Use a parchment liner or air fryer to help with clean up if wings are already sauced when reheating them.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
