Most of us love fried food but aren’t big fans of deep frying. But that’s, of course, why the air fryer was invented! I’ve spent quality time playing with my air fryer, and it’s a very versatile appliance. These air fryer Buffalo wings were one of the greatest successes…so easy to make, so amazingly crispy, crunchy on the outside, and completely cooked and tender on the inside. (Hello, Super Bowl!) Less oil, more crispy treats, and better game day eats!

Don’t forget the Blue Cheese Dip. Blue cheese dip and buffalo sauce are some of the greatest gifts to humankind, and you can’t have Buffalo chicken wings without them. Also, think about serving up some Sweet Potato Fries and Pico de Gallo and Guacamole with tortilla chips for a great game day spread.

The Ultimate Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings: With a crunchy cracking exterior, and tender juicy chicken, these buffalo chicken wings are hard to beat.

Air-Frying Chicken Wings

Air-fried chicken wings are the best way to get close to the wings you would order at a bar without all the fuss. Deep frying is hard to justify on a regular basis, and it’s also messy. Then you have to figure out if you’re going to try to strain and salvage the oil or if it just needs to be tossed. This is often the case if you are frying something with a flavor that you don’t want to carry over to the next deep-fry extravaganza, like fish. Cooking wings in the oven is also awesome, but it’s hard to get the crispy, crunchy exterior you get with an air fryer.

Buffalo Sauce for Chicken Wings

Did you know that classic Buffalo sauce is just melted butter and hot sauce? Frank’s Red Hot Sauce has a great balance of vinegar and a moderate amount of heat, so you can glug that red love on those air fryer chicken wings and not worry about blowing your taste buds out.

Want it spicier? Add more Frank’s and maybe a bit of cayenne pepper or a bit of another hotter hot sauce.

How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

1. Air fry the wings: In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with the oil, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken wings into the air fryer basket. Cook for about 20 to 25 minutes at 400 degrees if your air fryer has temperature settings or the dual cook setting if it doesn’t. Turn the wings halfway through the cooking, if you remember. Remove them when they are browned and crisp.
2. Make the Buffalo sauce: While the wings are cooking, combine the melted butter and hot sauce.
3. Toss the wings with the sauce.
4. Serve: Serve with the Blue Cheese Dip and carrot and celery sticks.

FAQs

Tips

• You do not have to preheat your air fryer for chicken wings, which is a game changer!
• Make sure to pat your chicken wings with paper towels to remove excess moisture before tossing them with the oil.
• While the chicken wings are frying, make the Blue Cheese Dip and the super simple Buffalo sauce.
• Turn the wings halfway through the cooking, if you remember, which will allow them to become more evenly crispy.
• Don’t crowd the wings — they won’t brown and crisp up as well. Cook them in batches if necessary. You want the wings in a single layer in the air fryer.
• You can skip making the blue cheese dip and just buy one. But buy a good one — I love Marie’s Extra Chunky Blue Cheese Dip, available in the refrigerated produce section of the market. You made your own Buffalo chicken wings; give them the sauce they deserve.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Buffalo Wings

The carrots and celery are a way to make us all feel better about the wings. One wing, one carrot, one wing, one piece of celery. But don’t forget to dip not just the wings but also the vegetables in that blue cheese dip. Tomorrow, you can have a salad. (P.S. leftover blue cheese dip thinned out with a bit of milk makes great blue cheese salad dressing, which kind of defeats the cleansing salad thought, but there you have it.)

Some folks prefer ranch dressing with their wings instead of blue cheese dressing. That’s another good choice, whether you buy a good store-bought version or make your own Ranch Dressing! Also, try Avocado Ranch Dressing.

Leftovers and Storage

Keep leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat and re-crisp them in the air fryer for about 6 minutes at 400, or use the dual setting. You can also re-crisp wings in the oven; just heat them on a baking sheet at 400 degrees for about 6 to 7 minutes.

Other Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Shrimp
• Air Fryer Steak
• Air Fryer Salmon
• Crispy Air Fryer Halibut

More Game Day Snack Recipes

• Pimento Cheese Spread
• Herbed Cheesy Puff Pastry Bacon Straws
• Warm Jalapeño Popper Dip
• Deviled Eggs