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Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings: Best Tailgate Recipe

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These crispy air fryer Buffalo chicken wings are the perfect tailgate recipe, delivering shatteringly crisp skin without the mess of a deep fryer. Ready in about 30 minutes, they’re quick, easy, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (about 900g) chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal; reduce if using finer salt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 cup (about 120ml) Buffalo wing sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot Original)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Wings: Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. For best results, let them sit uncovered in the fridge for 30 minutes to dry out further.
  2. Season the Wings: In a large bowl, whisk together baking powder, kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Add the dried wings and toss well to coat evenly.
  3. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set air fryer to 380°F (190°C) and preheat for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Arrange the Wings: Place wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook in batches if necessary.
  5. Cook the Wings: Air fry at 380°F (190°C) for 12 minutes. Flip the wings using tongs and cook for another 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
  6. Make the Sauce: While wings cook, combine Buffalo wing sauce and melted butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Alternatively, microwave for 30 seconds and whisk.
  7. Sauce the Wings: Transfer cooked wings to a large bowl. Pour warm Buffalo sauce over them and toss gently to coat evenly. Use a pastry brush for more control if desired.
  8. Serve Immediately: Transfer to a serving platter and serve hot with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Notes

Do not skip drying the wings thoroughly; moisture prevents crispiness. Use baking powder, not baking soda, to avoid a metallic taste. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. For extra crispy wings, let them rest in the basket for 2-3 minutes before saucing. For a milder sauce, mix Buffalo sauce with extra melted butter. For extra heat, add cayenne pepper. Leftover wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer buffalo wings, crispy chicken wings, tailgate recipe, game day wings, buffalo wings, air fryer recipe

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/crispy-air-fryer-buffalo-chicken-wings-best-tailgate-recipe/