Spicy Air Fryer Buffalo Wings are juicy, crispy, and packed with flavor! Coated in a homemade spice blend and tossed in a finger-licking buffalo sauce, these chicken wings are perfect for any party or game day. No baking powder!

👉 This air fryer buffalo wings recipe has been a reader favorite since I first shared the recipe in 2018. It was updated with new photos and step-by-step instructions in February 2025.
Making Buffalo chicken wings in the air fryer is a total game-changer! They’re just as crispy and flavorful as the deep-fried version but without the mess or hassle. In fact, these wings are made with no oil yet turn out perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
We start by seasoning the chicken wings with a flavorful dry rub, then air fry them at two different temperatures to achieve the perfect texture. After coating them in buffalo sauce, we air fry them for a few more minutes to lock in the flavor, before tossing them again in our homemade buffalo sauce.
Like the air fryer lemon pepper wings or garlic parmesan chicken wings, these are the ultimate appetizer for watching football on Super Bowl Sunday or any game day!
Jump to:
- Reasons to love it
- Table of contents
- Ingredients
- How to cut whole chicken wings at home?
- How to make buffalo chicken wings in air fryer?
- Time and temperature
- Cook one pound of wings
- Oven baking instructions
- Recipe tips
- Serving suggestions
- Make ahead for party
- Storage and reheating
- More spicy game day recipes
- Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Reasons to love it
- Spicy, tangy with a hint of sweetness from honey
- No breading, flour or baking powder
- Well seasoned with a homemade spice blend and buffalo sauce
- Quick and easy air fryer appetizer
- Cooked to perfection with a juicy interior and a crispy skin
Table of contents
Ingredients
Buffalo sauce - Although you can find huge varieties of hot sauces in the market ranging from spicy, mild, medium to fruity. However the best buffalo sauce to use is Frank’s RedHot! The main ingredients in buffalo sauce are hot chili peppers, salt, vinegar and butter, which adds some creaminess when compared to hot sauce that is made without butter.
Chicken wings - The best type of chicken wings to use for air fryer wings are either drumettes or flat wings (also known as wingettes). These tare perfect because they cook evenly and get crispy without drying out. You can either buy pre-cut wings or buy whole wings and cut them yourself, separating the drumette and flat. Make sure to pat them dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness!
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!
How to make buffalo chicken wings in air fryer?
👩🍳 Pat the wings dry with paper towels! Removing all moisture is crucial to ensuring they turn out crispy.
Step 5 - Toss the buffalo wings in the homemade sauce and air fry for about 2 minutes to set the sauce.
Want To Save This Recipe?
👩🍳 No need to flip! This recipe yields better results without flipping, as it gives the wings a deeper golden color compared to cooking them on both sides.
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
- Preheat the oven to 420°F.
- Coat the chicken wings with the dry rub mixture, adding 1 teaspoon of baking powder for an extra crispy texture.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer on an oven-safe wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- 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.
- 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.
More spicy game day recipes
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings patted dry
- ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Sauce
- ½ cup Frank's RedHot sauce
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
Instructions
- Pat dry chicken wings thoroughly with paper towels. This step is crucial for crispy wings.
- Add chicken wings into a large bowl and toss with black pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, paprika and salt, until thoroughly combined.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Once ready, arrange the wings in a single layer and cook for 12 minutes (no need to flip them).
- Once the 12 minutes are done, increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 4 minutes.Pro tip - Cooking at a medium heat followed by a higher temperature helps crisp the exterior while keeping the interior tender.
- In the mean time, Add Frank's hot sauce, melted butter, red pepper flakes and honey or sugar into a large bowl and mix to combine. Transfer hot cooked wings into the sauce and toss to combine.
- Using tongs, return the wings to the air fryer basket in a single layer (reserve the remaining sauce in the bowl) and cook for 1 to 2 minutes at 400°F. This allows the sauce to set.
- Serve the wings hot, or for an extra spicy kick, toss them back into the remaining sauce in the bowl. Enjoy them with ranch or blue cheese dressing!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Did you make this recipe? I’d love your feedback! Please let me know by leaving a comment or review below or snap a photo and share on Instagram.
All contents and images are my original work, unless and otherwise mentioned. Please do not use my recipes or images without linking back to www.kitchenathoskins.com. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite in your own words and don’t forget to include a link back to the original recipe.
Some of the links above are affiliate links, which pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for supporting kitchenathoskins.com
Leave a Reply