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    Home » Recipes

    Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

    Published: Feb 7, 2022 · Modified: May 29, 2022 ·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I love buffalo sauce more than I should, so these SUPER EASY air fryer buffalo chicken wings are a dream. They're perfect for Super Bowl parties, but they're so fast, they're great for everyday dinners too. I marinated them in a quick homemade teriyaki marinade, cooked them in the air fryer for about 20 minutes, and then coated them in warm, buttery buffalo sauce. They're SO SO good, especially when paired with our greek yogurt blue cheese dressing.

    This is a picture of air fryer buffalo chicken wings with carrots. The Hangry Economist.

    Here's what you need.

    Ingredients

    • Chicken wings. I don't like breaking down chicken wings, so I like to buy them already separated. The Kirkland Signature Chicken Party Wings at Costco are a great price and are already separated for you. They're also divided into three different bags, so you can make small quantities at a time and freeze the rest if you want to.
    • Frank's Original RedHot Sauce. This is pretty much my favorite condiment on the face of the Earth, but if you have a different cayenne pepper sauce you'd rather substitute, feel free.
    • Maple syrup
    • Soy sauce or coconut aminos. If you're gluten free, use coconut aminos.
    • Typical pantry and fridge ingredients/spices: fresh garlic, butter, ground cayenne

    Kitchen tools

    • Air fryer. We have a Ninja and love it.
    • Gallon baggies (or reusable bags). These reusable baggies are perfect for marinades.

    Here's how you make these wings.

    These wings couldn't be easier, which makes them perfect for a stress-free game day or dinner. Add the wings, Frank's sauce, maple syrup, soy sauce (or coconut aminos), and garlic to a gallon baggie and shake to combine everything. Then let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

    This is a picture of chicken wings marinating in a bag. The Hangry Economist.

    Once the wings are done marinating, add them to the basket of your air fryer in a single layer. It's ok if they touch a little (mine usually do), but it's best to give them a little space--they'll get crispier that way. Cook them at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway (I usually flip mine around the 8 minute mark), until they reach your desired crispness.

    This is a picture of chicken wings in an air fryer. The Hangry Economist.
    This is a picture of cooked chicken wings in an air fryer basket. The Hangry Economist.

    To make the buffalo sauce, combine butter, Frank's sauce, and ground cayenne in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter is melted and all of the ingredients are combined.

    Add the wings and buffalo sauce to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine, then transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately. If you don't like your wings "wet," then use the buffalo sauce as a dipping sauce instead.

    Try serving them with our greek yogurt blue cheese dressing!

    This is a picture of a chicken wing dipped in blue cheese dressing. The Hangry Economist.

    Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings: FAQs

    Can I cook frozen chicken wings in the air fryer?

    You can, but fresh or defrosted wings are best for this recipe. If your wings are frozen when you marinate them, they won't soak up the flavors in the right way. I'd recommend using fresh wings or making sure that your frozen wings are fully defrosted before you marinate and cook them.

    Can I add a second layer of wings with my air fryer rack?

    Yes. The wings on the rack will cook faster, so I'd recommend swapping the wings on the bottom with the wings on the rack halfway through. You also may have to add some cooking time to make sure that all of the wings get crisp.

    My wings weren't broken down when I purchased them. How do I separate them?

    That's the worst, isn't it? Here's an easy-to-follow tutorial on how to break down chicken wings.

    Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

    Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

    Recipe by Mollie

    These super easy air fryer buffalo chicken wings are a dream. They're perfect for Super Bowl parties and everyday dinners. They're marinated in a quick homemade teriyaki marinade, cooked in the air fryer for about 20 minutes, and then coated in warm, buttery buffalo sauce.

    Course: AppetizersCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
    5 from 1 vote
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    Servings

    4

    servings
    Prep time

    5

    minutes
    Cooking time

    20

    minutes
    Calories

    880

    kcal
    Total time

    25

    minutes
    Cook Mode

    Prevent your screen from going dark!

    Ingredients

    • For the wings:
    • 2 pounds 2 chicken wings

    • ½ cup ½ Frank's Original RedHot Sauce

    • ½ cup ½ maple syrup

    • 1 cup 1 soy sauce (or coconut aminos for GF)

    • 4 cloves 4 garlic, minced

    • For the buffalo sauce:
    • 8 tablespoons 8 butter

    • 1 cup 1 Frank's Original RedHot Sauce

    • ½ teaspoon ½ ground cayenne

    Directions

    • Add the wings, Frank's sauce, maple syrup, soy sauce (or coconut aminos), and garlic to a gallon baggie and shake to combine everything. Then let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
    • Once the wings are done marinating, add them to the basket of your air fryer in a single layer. Cook them at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway (I usually flip mine around the 8 minute mark), until they reach your desired crispness.
    • To make the buffalo sauce, combine butter, Frank's sauce, and ground cayenne in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter is melted and all of the ingredients are combined.
    • Add the wings and buffalo sauce to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine, then transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately. If you don't like your wings "wet," then use the buffalo sauce as a dipping sauce instead.

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    If you like this recipe, you should try these other healthy game-day recipes:

    • Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp (Paleo and Whole30)
    • Plantain Crust Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks (Gluten Free)
    • Quick and Easy Bruschetta with Easy Marinated Mozzarella Pearls

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    hi, we're Michael and Mollie

    Welcome! We are Michael & Mollie, a hangry economics enthusiast and her husband. Our goal is to provide you with delicious, accessible, and healthy-ish recipes that are both time- and money-efficient.

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