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Buffalo Wings Recipe

Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings

Get incredibly crispy, restaurant-quality buffalo wings right from your oven! This foolproof baking method creates perfectly crunchy wings smothered in a classic, buttery hot sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 49 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

  • For the Wings:
  • 3 pounds chicken wings party prep: split into drumettes and flats, tips removed
  • 1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder NOT baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • For the Buffalo Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup Frank's RedHot Original sauce or your favorite cayenne pepper sauce
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • For Serving:
  • Blue cheese or ranch dressing
  • Celery sticks and carrot sticks

Equipment

  • Large rimmed baking sheet
  • Wire cooling rack (that fits inside the baking sheet)
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Small saucepan

Method
 

  1. Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, then place a wire cooling rack directly on top of the foil. Spray the wire rack generously with non-stick cooking spray so the wings do not stick.
  2. Dry the Wings: Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the chicken wings completely dry. This is the most important step for achieving crispy skin.
  3. Coat the Wings: Place the dried wings into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the baking powder, kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper evenly over the top. Toss vigorously until every wing is evenly coated with the dry mixture.
  4. Bake: Arrange the coated wings in a single layer on the prepared wire rack, making sure they are not touching each other so the air can circulate. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through, until they are golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
  5. Make the Sauce: While the wings are in their final 10 minutes of baking, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together the hot sauce, melted butter, honey, and Worcestershire sauce until completely smooth and bubbling slightly. Remove from heat.
  6. Toss and Serve: Transfer the hot, crispy wings to a clean, large mixing bowl. Pour the warm buffalo sauce over the top and toss until the wings are completely saturated in the sauce. Serve immediately with a side of blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Notes

The Baking Powder Secret: You must use baking powder, not baking soda. Baking powder draws moisture to the surface of the skin, where it evaporates in the hot oven, leaving behind an incredibly crunchy exterior that mimics deep-frying.
Dry the Chicken: Do not rush patting the chicken dry. If the wings go into the oven wet, they will steam instead of roast, resulting in rubbery skin.
Make Ahead: You can toss the wings in the baking powder mixture and leave them uncovered on the wire rack in the fridge overnight. This dries out the skin even more for the absolute crispiest results possible!