Hey y’all! If you love bold flavors and crave that irresistible crunch in every bite, this Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings recipe is about to become your new go-to. Perfect for game day gatherings, parties, or an elevated weeknight treat, these wings deliver big flavor without the mess (or calories) of deep frying. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have golden, crispy buffalo wings oven-baked to perfection and tossed in a fiery, buttery sauce. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This
- Super crispy texture without deep frying, thanks to the secret ingredient – baking powder!
- Easy, hands-off baking means less mess and more time to enjoy the party.
- Perfect for feeding a crowd or snacking solo.
- Customizable heat: make them as spicy (or mild) as you like.
- Healthier than fried wings, but just as crave-worthy!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Directions
Prep the Wings
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and set a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray.
- Pat the chicken wings dry really well with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Season and Arrange
- In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Place the wings skin-side up in a single layer on the prepared rack. Make sure they aren’t touching for the crispiest results.
Bake the Wings
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through, until they are golden brown and very crispy.
Make the Buffalo Sauce
- While the wings bake, whisk together the hot sauce, melted butter, and honey (if using) in a large bowl.
Toss and Serve
- Transfer the hot wings to the bowl with sauce and toss until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy with celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing!
Notes
- Pat wings as dry as possible for maximum crispiness—moisture is the enemy of crunch!
- Use a wire rack to allow hot air to circulate and crisp up the wings on all sides.
- Adjust the honey and hot sauce ratio to suit your preferred level of sweetness and heat.
Variations
- Garlic Parmesan: Swap buffalo sauce for melted butter, garlic, and grated Parmesan.
- Honey BBQ: Toss wings in your favorite barbecue sauce mixed with honey.
- Lemon Pepper: Use melted butter, lemon zest, and cracked black pepper instead of buffalo sauce.
Required Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Wire rack
- Aluminum foil
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Paper towels
Storage Instructions & Shelf Life
- Leftover wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a 400°F oven for 10 minutes to keep them crispy.
- Buffalo wings can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw and reheat as above.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
- Serve with celery and carrot sticks for classic freshness.
- Add a side of tangy blue cheese or creamy ranch dip.
- Pair with crispy French fries or a cool coleslaw for a hearty game day meal.
Pro Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the rack—space those wings out for ultimate crispiness.
- Let the wings rest for 5 minutes after saucing for flavors to meld and sauce to set.
- Double the recipe easily for a crowd—just use two trays and rotate their positions halfway through baking.
FAQ
- Can I use frozen wings?
- Yes, but be sure to thaw them completely and pat dry to remove as much moisture as possible for crispiness.
- Can I make these wings ahead of time?
- You can bake the wings ahead and reheat them in the oven just before tossing in the sauce for best results.
- How spicy are these buffalo wings?
- The heat level is medium but you can make them milder or spicier by adjusting the hot sauce and honey quantities.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
-
1Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and set a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray.
-
2Pat the chicken wings dry really well with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
-
3In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
-
4Place the wings skin-side up in a single layer on the prepared rack. Make sure they aren’t touching for the crispiest results.
-
5Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through, until they are golden brown and very crispy.
-
6While the wings bake, whisk together the hot sauce, melted butter, and honey (if using) in a large bowl.
-
7Transfer the hot wings to the bowl with sauce and toss until evenly coated.
-
8Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy with celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing!
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Did you make this recipe?
Please consider Pinning it!
