Name: Buffalo Wings Recipe: Crispy, Saucy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 3 –4 lbs chicken wings; 2 tbsp baking powder; 1 tsp kosher salt; ½ tsp garlic powder; Sauce: ⅔ cup Frank’s RedHot; ½ cup butter; Vinegar + Worcestershire

Introduction

Table of Contents

Buffalo Wings are the ultimate crowd-pleaser: ultra-crispy baked (or fried) chicken wings tossed in that iconic buttery, tangy hot sauce that started it all in Buffalo, NY. Juicy meat, crackly skin, and adjustable heat—this is the wing that makes game day legendary. Presented piled high on a white ceramic platter with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and blue cheese or ranch dipping sauce, optionally garnished with extra sauce drizzle, these Buffalo Wings offer golden crunch and fiery flavor that disappear faster than the halftime show.

Ingredients

For the Buffalo Wings (serves 4–6 / ~24 wings): • 3–4 lbs chicken wings (flats + drumettes, tips removed)
• 2 tbsp baking powder (aluminum-free—for baked crisp)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Oil spray (for extra crisp)

For the Classic Buffalo Sauce: • ⅔ cup Frank’s RedHot Original (the authentic choice)
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼–½ tsp cayenne (adjust heat)
• Pinch of salt

Serving: • Blue cheese or ranch dressing
• Celery and carrot sticks

Step-by-Step Process

Dry the wings
Pat wings completely dry with paper towels—moisture is the enemy of crisp skin.
Season & coat
In a large bowl, toss wings with baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until evenly coated (baking powder raises pH for crispier skin).
Arrange for air flow
Place wings on a wire rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet (skin-side up). Refrigerate uncovered 8–24 hours (dry brine for maximum crisp).
Preheat oven
Preheat to 425°F (convection if possible).
Bake
Lightly spray wings with oil. Bake on the middle rack for 40–50 minutes, flipping halfway, until deep golden and crispy (internal temperature of 185°F for best texture).
Make sauce
While wings bake, melt butter. Whisk in Frank’s vinegar, Worcestershire, garlic powder, cayenne, and salt. Keep warm.
Toss & serve
Toss hot wings in sauce (or serve sauce on the side for crispier skin). Serve immediately with dressing and veggies.

Tips for Crispiest Buffalo Wings

• Baking powder + dry brine = bar-level crisp without frying
• Wire rack = air circulation for even browning
• Convection mode = 10 minutes faster + extra crisp
• Don’t sauce until serving—keeps skin crunchy longer
• Frank’s RedHot Original—accept no substitutes for authentic taste
• Double sauce—everyone wants extra

Variations and Customization

• Fried Wings: deep fry 350°F 8–10 min
• Grilled: smoke low, then crisp high heat
• Extra Crispy Air Fryer: 400°F 20–25 min, flip halfway
• Mild Wings: reduce cayenne
• Garlic Parmesan: toss baked wings in garlic butter + Parm
• Honey Hot: add honey to the sauce

Storage and Serving Tips

• Best fresh—peak crisp within 30 minutes
• Reheat 400°F 8–10 minutes on rack
• Fridge up to 4 days
• Freeze cooked wings up to 3 months—reheat from frozen
• Quick refresh: 2 minutes under the broiler
• Serve with plenty of napkins and cold beer

Nutritional Information

Based on 6 servings:
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Protein: 40g
• Total Fat: 42g (Saturated 18g)

FAQ

1. Why baking powder?
Raises skin pH for browner, crispier results without frying.

2. My wings aren’t crispy?
Didn’t dry thoroughly or skipped the rack/dry brine.

3. Can I fry instead?
Yes—350°F 8–10 min until golden.

4. No Frank’s—what can I use?
Any cayenne-based hot sauce, but the flavor won’t be authentic.

5. Keep warm for the party?
Hold at 200°F on the rack up to 30 minutes.

Conclusion

These Buffalo Wings are pure game-day glory—crispy-skinned, saucy, and so addictive that the veggie platter gets ignored. One platter on the table and suddenly kickoff feels epic, weeknights feel fun, and everyone’s asking, “These are baked?!” Make a double batch, because once the sauce hits the wings, they vanish faster than a touchdown celebration.