Crispy Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings

Craving crispy, juicy buffalo wings without the mess of frying? Look no further! These crispy oven-baked buffalo wings are your answer to game-day glory, party perfection, or a weeknight win.

Ditch the takeout! Whip up insanely crispy buffalo wings right in your oven with this foolproof recipe. Say goodbye to greasy fingers and hello to flavor explosions in every bite.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Want to Make Crispy Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings
• Ingredients – Here’s What You’ll Need
• Steps to Make Crispy Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recipe Tips and Tricks
• Other Great Appetizers
• Recipe

Why You’ll Want to Make Crispy Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings

• Deliciousness: Buffalo wings are a popular dish known for their savory and spicy flavor combination. The crispy skin adds another layer of textural delight.

• Healthier alternative: Compared to deep-fried wings, oven-baked versions are generally considered a healthier option, as they contain less fat and calories.

• Flavorful buffalo sauce: Customize the heat to your liking with our easy homemade sauce recipe or use your favorite store-bought option.

• Perfect for game days, parties, or a casual weeknight dinner: This crowd-pleasing recipe is sure to be a hit with everyone.

Ingredients – Here’s What You’ll Need

• Chicken Wing Sections: For variety and crowd-pleasing, mix and match both drumettes and flats! Drumettes are larger and meatier, offering a satisfying bite. Flats have more surface area for maximum crispness and sauce clinging.

• Aluminum-Free Baking Powder: Aluminum-free baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate and cream of tartar. These two reacting together allows for even browning and maximum crispness.

• Salt: It dehydrates the surface of the chicken wings, drawing out moisture and creating a tighter skin structure. This allows the skin to crisp up more effectively during cooking

• Pepper: It pulls out all the other spices, creating a more harmonious and complex flavor profile.

• Frank’s RedHot Sauce: When it comes to buffalo wings, one name reigns supreme in the sauce department. This iconic hot sauce isn’t just a condiment; it’s the very essence of the dish.

• Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level, adding it gradually to your personal preference and ensuring the other ingredients shine through.

• Honey: The natural sweetness of honey helps counteract the intense heat of the hot sauce, creating a more balanced and nuanced flavor profile.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: The natural acidity of apple cider vinegar balances the richness of butter and the heat of hot sauce. 

• Worcestershire Sauce: While not as common as other ingredients like hot sauce and butter, it deepens the flavor profile of your sauce.

• Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic releases a rich, savory flavor that creates a more well-rounded and satisfying taste experience.

Steps to Make Crispy Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings

1. Preheat your oven to 250°F. Chicken wings have a significant amount of fat under the skin. Starting at a low temperature allows this fat to slowly render and melt away, preventing it from burning while cooking. This creates space between the skin and the meat, allowing it to crisp up beautifully when the temperature is increased later.
   
   Place the chicken wings on a layer of paper towels to dry them out. When it comes to achieving crispy perfection for your oven-baked chicken wings, drying them thoroughly before baking is absolutely crucial. The main reason drying is so important is to minimize surface moisture on the wings. When water droplets remain on the skin, they create steam during baking, preventing the skin from achieving that desirable golden brown, crispy texture. Instead, the skin will end up rubbery and soggy, a far cry from the ideal bite.

2. Once the wings have dried out, place them in a large plastic container with a lid.

3. Next, add the baking powder, salt and pepper. Then, place the lid on the container and give it a good shake to coat the wings evenly and completely.

4. Then, line a half-sheet pan with aluminum foil and place an oven-proof rack inside. Place the wings in a single layer on the rack, skin side up, and cook in the 250°F oven for 30 minutes.

5. After 30 minutes, increase the oven temperature to 425°F, and rotate the pan in the oven, for even cooking. Cook for an additional 50 minutes until the wings are golden and crispy. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.

6. Begin making the buffalo sauce when you have about 20 minutes of cooking time remaining for the wings. Start by adding the unsalted butter to a medium size saucepan set over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, mince the garlic and add it to the melted butter. Then, let it cook for about a minute until it is fragrant.

7. Next, add the Frank’s RedHot sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey, and salt.

8. Whisk the sauce vigorously so that it will emulsify. Then bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. If the sauce begins to separate, just give it a good whisk.

9. Once the sauce has come to a simmer, turn off the heat and allow it to cool slightly. If you notice the sauce separating while it’s cooling, then whisk it a little bit.

10. To coat the wings in the sauce, place them into a clean container with a lid and pour the sauce over them.

11. Then, place the lid on the container and give it a good vigorous shake to coat all of the wings in the sauce.

12. Serve the wings with some blue cheese and/or ranch dressing on the side, whatever your preference might be.

Ditch the greasy takeout and elevate your next game day or weeknight dinner with insanely crispy, flavor-packed oven-baked buffalo wings. This recipe unlocks the secrets to restaurant-quality crunch, perfectly juicy meat, and a fiery buffalo sauce that will tantalize your taste buds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Drying is Key: Pat, pat, pat! Thoroughly dry your wings with paper towels, paying extra attention to nooks and crannies. Residual moisture hinders crispness.

• Air dry it out: Time permitting, leave the wings uncovered in the fridge for 30-60 minutes for natural drying.

• Don’t overcrowd: Give your wings enough space on the baking sheet to ensure even heat distribution and crisping.

• Dipping delights: Offer an array of dipping options like blue cheese, ranch, celery sticks, or carrot sticks for added variety and flavor bursts.

Other Great Appetizers

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