I love making Air Fryer Wings that are both crispy and bursting with flavor. I use perfectly seasoned 2 lbs chicken wings, a touch of baking powder, salt, and pepper, then toss them in a rich blend of Frank’s RedHot, honey and melted butter. These buffalo wings offer a delightful twist on a classic recipe.
I’ve always been a sucker for crispy wings, and these air fryer buffalo wings are no exception. I start with 2 lbs of chicken wings, making sure they’re patted dry so the coating sticks just right.
I toss them in a mix of 1 tablespoon aluminum free baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper before they hit the air fryer or my favorite Ninja Foodi Grill. For the sauce, its super simple and packs a punch: I mix together 1/2 cup of hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot works great), 1/3 cup honey, and 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter.
The end result is an insanely crispy wing with an addictive mix of heat and sweetness. I mean, who would’ve thought that something so simple could transform chicken wings into the ultimate hot wing recipe?
Trust me, once you try these, there’s no going back.
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because it’s really simple to make and doesn’t take forever, plus using the airfryer helps the wings get super crispy without much fuss. I also dig how the hot honey buffalo sauce is a perfect mix of sweet and spicy, making every bite fun and flavorful. Another reason is that the ingredients are really basic, so it’s easy to whip up even if I’m in a hurry, and I don’t need a lot of fancy stuff in my kitchen. Lastly, it’s super versatile; I can make them using my Ninja Foodi Grill or any airfryer, which makes it a go-to recipe no matter what kitchen gadgets I have.
Ingredients
- Chicken wings provide protein, healthy fats and savory flavor, making them essential to this recipe.
- Baking powder helps crisp the skin and creates a crunchy texture that many love.
- Salt boosts overall flavor but dont overdo it if you are watching your intake.
- Black pepper adds a subtle heat and depth that enhances each bite nicely.
- Hot sauce delivers a tangy spice that successfully balances the dish’s sweet and savory flavors.
- Honey brings natural sweetness along with vital carbohydrates for energy.
- Unsalted butter adds a rich mouthfeel and helps meld the flavors into one cohesive bite.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 lbs chicken wings (drumettes and flats), patted dry
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (must be aluminum free)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot works great)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
How to Make this
1. Preheat your airfryer to 400°F if needed and while doing so make sure your chicken wings are completely dry by patting them with paper towels.
2. In a large bowl, toss the wings with the baking powder, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated. This helps get them extra crispy.
3. Arrange the wings in the airfryer basket in one layer, being careful not to overcrowd so they cook evenly.
4. Air fry the wings for about 25-30 minutes, shaking or flipping them at the halfway point for even browning.
5. While the wings are cooking, combine the hot sauce, honey, and melted butter in a small saucepan or bowl. Mix them well until the sauce is smooth.
6. Once the wings are crisp and golden, transfer them back into the bowl.
7. Pour the hot honey buffalo sauce over the wings and toss gently until every wing is fully coated.
8. Let the wings rest for a couple of minutes so the sauce can set a bit.
9. Serve your wings immediately while they’re hot and crispy.
10. Enjoy these delicious buffalo wings as they are or with your favorite dipping sauce.
Equipment Needed
1. Airfryer (make sure it’s big enough and preheatable to 400°F)
2. Paper towels (for drying the chicken wings)
3. A large mixing bowl (to toss the wings with spices)
4. Measuring spoons (for baking powder, salt, and pepper)
5. A small saucepan or another small bowl (to mix the hot sauce, honey, and melted butter)
6. Tongs or a spatula (to flip and toss the wings evenly)
7. A serving bowl or plate (to transfer and serve the wings)
FAQ
Crispiest Homemade Buffalo Wings Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you can’t get aluminum free baking powder, try mixing 1/4 teaspoon baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar instead, it works pretty well.
- If you run out of plain salt, kosher salt is a solid replacement. Just note that you might need a smidge less since its grain is larger.
- Don’t have Frank’s RedHot? You can use Sriracha or Tabasco, whichever you got around, to get that spicy kick.
- If honey’s not in your pantry, maple syrup or agave nectar can do the trick, although its a bit of a flavor twist.
- Out of unsalted butter? Melted ghee or a mild olive oil spread can work too, even though it might make it a little different from the original flavor.
Pro Tips
Hey, here are a few pro tips that might help you get the best results:
1. Make sure your chicken wings are completely dry before tossing them with the baking powder. Even a little extra moisture can keep them from getting as crispy as you want, so sometimes I pat them more than once.
2. Only use aluminum free baking powder. It might seem like a small detail but trust me, it makes a huge difference in avoiding any weird flavors.
3. Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket. If they’re too close together, they wont crisp up evenly, so give each wing its own space.
4. Once you finish frying, let the wings rest with the sauce for a couple of minutes. That little wait time really helps lock in the flavor and keeps your sauce from sliding right off when you bite into ’em.
Crispiest Homemade Buffalo Wings Recipe
I love making Air Fryer Wings that are both crispy and bursting with flavor. I use perfectly seasoned 2 lbs chicken wings, a touch of baking powder, salt, and pepper, then toss them in a rich blend of Frank's RedHot, honey and melted butter. These buffalo wings offer a delightful twist on a classic recipe.
4
servings
601
kcal
Equipment: 1. Airfryer (make sure it’s big enough and preheatable to 400°F)
2. Paper towels (for drying the chicken wings)
3. A large mixing bowl (to toss the wings with spices)
4. Measuring spoons (for baking powder, salt, and pepper)
5. A small saucepan or another small bowl (to mix the hot sauce, honey, and melted butter)
6. Tongs or a spatula (to flip and toss the wings evenly)
7. A serving bowl or plate (to transfer and serve the wings)
Ingredients
-
2 lbs chicken wings (drumettes and flats), patted dry
-
1 tablespoon baking powder (must be aluminum free)
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
-
1/2 cup hot sauce (Frank's RedHot works great)
-
1/3 cup honey
-
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Directions
- Preheat your airfryer to 400°F if needed and while doing so make sure your chicken wings are completely dry by patting them with paper towels.
- In a large bowl, toss the wings with the baking powder, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated. This helps get them extra crispy.
- Arrange the wings in the airfryer basket in one layer, being careful not to overcrowd so they cook evenly.
- Air fry the wings for about 25-30 minutes, shaking or flipping them at the halfway point for even browning.
- While the wings are cooking, combine the hot sauce, honey, and melted butter in a small saucepan or bowl. Mix them well until the sauce is smooth.
- Once the wings are crisp and golden, transfer them back into the bowl.
- Pour the hot honey buffalo sauce over the wings and toss gently until every wing is fully coated.
- Let the wings rest for a couple of minutes so the sauce can set a bit.
- Serve your wings immediately while they're hot and crispy.
- Enjoy these delicious buffalo wings as they are or with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 292g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 601kcal
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Polyunsaturated: 4g
- Monounsaturated: 20g
- Cholesterol: 250mg
- Sodium: 889mg
- Potassium: 408mg
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 22g
- Protein: 36g
- Vitamin A: 200IU
- Vitamin C: 2mg
- Calcium: 30mg
- Iron: 1.5mg
