Description
This Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings recipe offers crispy, flavorful wings baked to perfection and tossed in a classic spicy buffalo sauce. Perfect for game day or any casual gathering, these wings are baked rather than fried, making them a healthier alternative without sacrificing taste. Serve with cooling ranch or blue cheese dressing and crisp celery for the complete buffalo wing experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 3 lbs. chicken wing portions (wingettes and/or drummettes)
- 1 Tbsp. oil
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
Buffalo Wing Sauce
- ½ cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s or Crystal’s)
- 6 Tbsp. butter (melted)
- 1 clove crushed garlic
- 1 Tbsp. honey (optional)
- ¼ tsp. salt (to taste)
Optional Garnishes and Sides
- Ranch dressing (optional)
- Blue cheese dressing (optional)
- Celery sticks (optional)
- Cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Coat the Wings: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the wing portions in a large bowl and drizzle them evenly with the oil. Toss the wings thoroughly to coat all pieces. Then sprinkle the cornstarch, salt, and pepper over the wings and toss again until each wing is well coated in the mixture.
- Bake in the Oven: Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and set an oven-safe wire rack on top. Spray the rack with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken wings evenly spaced on the wire rack without touching each other. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crisping.
- Toss in Sauce: While the wings bake, prepare the buffalo sauce. In the last 5 minutes of baking, whisk together the hot sauce, melted butter, crushed garlic, honey (if using), and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Once wings are fully cooked and crispy, transfer them to a large bowl and toss well in the buffalo sauce until coated evenly.
- Serve: Serve the buffalo chicken wings hot alongside ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. Add celery sticks and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro if desired, enhancing both the presentation and flavor. Enjoy your classic baked buffalo wings!
Notes
- Using a wire rack while baking helps the wings cook evenly and become crispy without frying.
- Honey is optional in the sauce; it adds sweetness to balance the heat of the buffalo sauce.
- Flip wings halfway through baking to ensure they crisp up on all sides.
- For extra crispy wings, you can broil them for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Leftover wings can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or air fryer.
