Get ready to master the art of homemade buffalo wings! This recipe brings you classic, restaurant-quality flavor and incredible crispiness right in your own kitchen. Perfect for game day, a casual family dinner, or any gathering, these wings are guaranteed to be a hit. Follow our simple, step-by-step guide to create truly delicious results that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Wings
You’ll quickly understand why these buffalo wings will become a favorite.
- Perfectly Crispy: Achieve an incredibly satisfying crunch with every bite.
- Flavorful Sauce: Craft a rich, customizable buffalo sauce that’s just the right balance of heat and tang.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for entertaining, these wings are a guaranteed hit at any party or family meal.
- Quick & Easy: Despite their impressive taste, the preparation is straightforward and doesn’t take all day.
- Versatile: Enjoy them plain or with your favorite dipping sauces and veggie sticks.
Ingredients
To make these incredible buffalo wings, gather these simple items:
- 2-3 lbs. chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
- 1-1 ½ c. canola oil (for frying)
- 1 c. unsalted butter
- 1 (12-oz.) bottle Frank’s Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
- Tabasco, to taste (optional)
- Carrots and celery sticks, for serving
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving
Notes & Substitutions
- Chicken Wings: Use fresh chicken wings or ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry before cooking for the best crispiness.
- Oil: Canola oil is our go-to, but vegetable oil or peanut oil also work well for frying.
- Hot Sauce: Frank’s Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce is the traditional choice for authentic buffalo wings. Avoid pre-made “wing sauces” for the best flavor.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of Tabasco or other hot sauces to tailor the heat to your preference.
- Dips: Offer both ranch and blue cheese dressing to satisfy all your guests.
Equipment
You won’t need anything fancy to whip up these delicious buffalo wings.
- Large deep skillet or Dutch oven
- Meat thermometer (optional, for oil temperature)
- Tongs
- Medium saucepan
- Paper towel-lined plate or wire rack
- Large mixing bowl
Instructions
Let’s get cooking! Follow these clear steps for the best homemade buffalo wings.
- Prepare Oil: Pour canola oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven, ensuring it’s 1 to 1 ½ inches deep. Begin heating the oil over medium to medium-high heat.
- Heat Oil: Heat the oil until it reaches about 360°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, a small piece of chicken should sizzle immediately upon contact.
For optimal cooking and food safety, the USDA recommends maintaining oil temperatures for deep frying between 350°F and 375°F. Learn more about safe deep-frying temperatures.
- Cook Wings: Carefully place the raw chicken wings into the hot oil. Avoid overcrowding the pan; work in batches if necessary. Fry for 15 to 20 minutes, using tongs to turn them occasionally for even cooking and browning.
- Make Sauce: While the wings cook, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Once fully melted, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Combine Sauce: Add the entire bottle of Frank’s Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce to the melted butter. Whisk well until the sauce is smooth and thoroughly combined. Now, add Tabasco to taste; we usually add 12 to 13 shakes for a perfect kick in these classic buffalo wings.
- Drain Wings: Once the wings are golden brown and cooked through, remove them from the oil using tongs. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate or a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil.
- Coat Wings: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked wings with the prepared buffalo sauce. Do this in small batches to ensure every single wing is thoroughly coated and glistening with that amazing flavor.
- Serve: Transfer the sauced wings to a serving bowl. Arrange them alongside fresh carrot and celery sticks, and offer both ranch and blue cheese dressing for dipping. Enjoy your perfectly coated buffalo wings!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Oil Temperature: Maintaining a consistent oil temperature of 350-360°F is crucial for crispy, evenly cooked wings. Use a thermometer.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Fry wings in batches. Overcrowding lowers the oil temperature, leading to soggy wings instead of crispy ones.
- Crispy Skin: Always pat your chicken wings very dry with paper towels before frying. Excess moisture creates steam, which prevents crispiness.
- Adjust Spice: Want more heat? Stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra Tabasco directly into your buffalo sauce for fiery buffalo wings.
- Sauce Adhesion: Use Frank’s Red Hot Original. Thinner, less viscous hot sauces might not cling as well to the wings.
- Thawing: If using frozen wings, ensure they are completely thawed before cooking. Pat them dry thoroughly.
Serving Suggestions, Storage, & Variations
These homemade buffalo wings are incredibly versatile.
- Classic Sides: Always serve your delicious wings with fresh, crisp celery and carrot sticks. Their cool crunch perfectly complements the spicy heat.
- Dipping Sauces: Blue cheese dressing is a traditional pairing, but a creamy ranch dip is also a fantastic option. Offer both for variety.
- Storage: Store any leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep leftover sauce separately.
- Reheating: For best results and to regain crispness, reheat cold wings in an oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, or in an air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.
- Baked Wings: For a lighter option, toss raw wings with 1 tbsp baking powder and salt, then bake at 425°F for 45-50 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy. Toss with sauce.
- Air Fryer Wings: Air fry raw, seasoned wings at 375-400°F for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until golden and crispy. Toss in sauce.
- Sauce Variations: Explore different flavors! Try honey garlic, classic BBQ, or a zesty lemon pepper seasoning instead of buffalo sauce.
Nutrition Information
Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for our delicious buffalo wings per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 370 |
| Total Fat | 32g |
| Saturated Fat | 13g |
| Cholesterol | 70mg |
| Sodium | 850mg |
| Carbohydrates | 2g |
| Protein | 18g |
Note: This nutrition information is an approximation based on standard ingredient calculations and does not include serving accompaniments like dips or vegetables. Nutritional values can vary based on specific brands and preparation methods. We recommend using fresh, quality ingredients for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is buffalo sauce made of? Authentic buffalo sauce consists primarily of cayenne pepper hot sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot) and melted butter. Sometimes, a dash of vinegar or garlic powder is added.
The iconic dish is widely credited to the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, where Teressa Bellissimo first prepared them in 1964. Discover the history of buffalo wings. - Can I make these wings in an air fryer/oven? Absolutely! While this recipe focuses on frying, you can bake or air fry wings first for crispness, then toss them in the prepared sauce.
- How do I get my wings extra crispy? Pat the wings extremely dry before cooking. Frying in batches and maintaining a consistent oil temperature of 350-360°F are also key for the crispiest buffalo wings.
- Can I prepare the wings ahead of time? You can prepare the buffalo sauce a day in advance. Cooked wings are best served fresh, but you can reheat them in an oven or air fryer.
- What hot sauce is best for authentic buffalo wings? Frank’s Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce is widely considered the gold standard for creating truly authentic buffalo sauce.
- Are these buffalo wings gluten-free? Yes, this recipe for buffalo wings is naturally gluten-free as it uses whole chicken, hot sauce, and butter. Always check ingredient labels to confirm.
Conclusion
You’ve now mastered the art of making perfectly crispy, flavorful homemade buffalo wings! This effortless recipe delivers ultimate satisfaction, whether you’re hosting a big game day party or simply craving a classic snack. Impress your friends and family with this iconic appetizer, knowing you’ve created a dish that everyone will rave about. Gather around and savor every delicious, saucy bite!