Air Fryer Buffalo Wings

How to cut whole chicken wings at home?

We love using pre-cut drumettes and wingettes for convenience, but did you know cutting them at home is both easy and cost-effective? All you need is a good chef's knife and a cutting board.

A chicken wing has three parts: the small tip, the middle wingette (also called the flap), and the meatiest part, the drumette. To cut them, simply stretch out the wing to easily locate the joints. Start by cutting at the joint where the drumette and wingette meet, then cut between the wingette and the tip. Now, you'll have three pieces: discard or save the tip for making stock. The detailed article on how to cut them at evolvingtable.com is also a great one to check out if are new to it!

Step 5 - Toss the buffalo wings in the homemade sauce and air fry for about 2 minutes to set the sauce.

Time and temperature

Air fryer size - As for all air fryer recipes, I used Instant vortex 6-quart air fryer and was able to cook 2 pounds of wings in a single layer. If you are using a smaller appliance, then I recommend cooking in two batches.

Time - It generally takes about 15 minutes for a perfectly crispy outside and tender inside without being overcooked. We recommend cooking at a medium heat (350 degrees) for 12 minutes and then finishing off at a higher temperature (400 degrees) for 4 minutes which helps in crisping the exterior.

Be sure to always check for doneness using a thermometer by inserting it into the thickest part of the chicken, it should read 165°F if it is fully cooked.

Temperature - We found that these cooked perfectly crispy, using two different temperatures to guarantee perfect crispy outside and tender inside, without being overcooked. We cook at 350 degrees and then increase to 400 degrees to finish.

Cook one pound of wings

Halve the recipe but adjust the cooking time and temperature —> Cook for 10 to 11 minutes at 350°F, then for 2 to 3 minutes at 400°F, toss them in sauce and then cook for 1 minute at 400 degrees.

Oven baking instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 420°F.
2. Coat the chicken wings with the dry rub mixture, adding 1 teaspoon of baking powder for an extra crispy texture.
3. Arrange the wings in a single layer on an oven-safe wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet.
4. Bake for about 40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
5. Toss the wings in the buffalo sauce and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
6. Toss in more buffalo sauce and enjoy!

Recipe tips

• Don't over crowd the air fryer basket! Arrange the wings in a single layer, leaving some space between them to allow air to circulate, which helps crisp them up. Avoid overcrowding, as it will prevent the wings from becoming crispy.
• Preheating the air fryer before cooking the wings ensures they turn out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
• I used Instant Vortex Plus 6 quart air fryer.
• I recommend using Franks RedHot sauce.
• If you're using a smaller air fryer, cook in batches. I used a 6-quart Instant Vortex and was able to cook 2 pounds of chicken wings in a single layer. For smaller appliances, I recommend cooking in two batches. Alternatively, if you're only cooking 1 pound, simply halve the recipe.
• Toss them while hot! Immediately transfer the wings to a mixing bowl and toss them in the buffalo sauce. The heat will warm the sauce and help it cling to the wings.

Serving suggestions

These crispy, spicy wings make the perfect snack or appetizer for game day, watching football, or enjoying on Super Bowl Sunday. Serve them with a creamy, tangy dipping sauce and crunchy vegetables like celery, carrot sticks, or cucumber slices, just like they do at Buffalo Wild Wings.

For a heartier meal, pair them with a side salad and mashed potatoes. If you love serving it Wingstop-style, these Louisiana voodoo fries make a perfect pairing.

Make ahead for party

Toss the cooked chicken wings in buffalo sauce and let them sit, covered, at room temperature for several hours. Just before serving, reheat them for 2 to 3 minutes at 400°F, then toss them in the sauce once more before serving.

Storage and reheating

These air fryer buffalo wings are so delicious, you likely won’t have any leftovers! But if you do, store them in the refrigerator for up to a couple of days. To reheat, place the leftovers in a preheated 380°F air fryer (in a single layer) and cook for 4 to 8 minutes, or until heated through.

To freeze - To freeze, arrange the wings in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer, uncovered. Once the wings are fully frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag, where they can be stored for up to 3 months.