If you love the spice of buffalo sauce along with tender, juicy chicken, then you are going to love these air fryer boneless chicken wings! The seasoned breading and spicy sauce give these wings just the right flavor without having to marinate the meat or deal with the mess of a deep fryer!
Jump to:
Looking for how to cook frozen boneless buffalo wings? Check out the FAQs!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Juicy and Flavorful: There is just something about messy fingers, spicy sauce, and juicy meat that makes any occasion extra fun!
Healthier: This healthier version of buffalo wings gives you all of that using a method that is much easier than deep-frying. Plus there are no bones to mess with. It's all of the flavor of your favorite wings without any of the trouble!
Fast and Easy: Now you don't have to wait for the Super Bowl! These wings can be made up quickly any time you need a little extra fun in your life! It is so easy and delicious, it has become one of our favorite air fryer recipes!
If you love wings and unique, tasty flavors, try these Peanut Butter and Jelly Chicken Wings!
Key Ingredients
Chicken: This recipe uses boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into pieces similar in size to chicken wings. Boneless chicken thighs could be used if you prefer dark meat, but they may take a few minutes longer to cook.
All-Purpose Flour: I tested this recipe using cornstarch as well as baking powder, to see if I could make these extra-crispy chicken wings. There wasn't a noticeable texture difference with these ingredients. All-purpose flour gives a good texture and is a pantry staple.
Butter: This adds richness to the wing sauce, making it taste restaurant-quality!
Hot Sauce: Frank's hot sauce is my favorite to use in this recipe. It has the classic flavors of buffalo sauce that I love.
Instructions
Preparing the Chicken
- Cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch by 2-inch pieces.
- Whisk eggs in a shallow dish (like a pie plate). Coat the chicken with the egg mixture.
- Mix flour, cornstarch, and seasonings in a separate shallow dish.
- Working in batches, remove the chicken from the egg mixture allowing the excess to drip off. Place into the flour mixture and turn to coat well.
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F to help enhance the crispiness of the wings.
- Spray the bottom of the basket with your favorite cooking spray. I love to use avocado oil because it is non-aerosol so it is good for the environment, and it is a healthier oil, but you can use your favorite oil spray!
- For the best results, place chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, with a little bit of space between them. Spray chicken with the cooking spray. These won't be quite as crispy as deep-fried chicken wings, but if you spray them with oil it will help build a little crispness.
- Start off by cooking for 5 minutes, then flip your chicken and spray them again with oil.
- The total cook time will depend on the size of your chicken pieces. After a total of 10 minutes of cook time, check the chicken for doneness. They may take as much as 15 minutes.
Buffalo Wing Sauce Instructions
- While the chicken is cooking, mix together the buffalo sauce. It is really simple to make! There are just two ingredients: butter and hot sauce!
- Heat in a saucepan over medium-low heat until the butter melts completely.
Once the chicken is fully cooked place them in a bowl, pour buffalo sauce over them and toss with a spoon to coat the chicken pieces. Serve immediately, as they lose crispiness as they sit.
Serving Suggestions
We love to enjoy our buffalo wings with some ranch dressing, but many enjoy blue cheese dressing instead.
The classic accompaniment of celery sticks and carrots provides a welcome relief from the building heat of the buffalo sauce.
Wings are also frequently enjoyed with pizza!
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo wings will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Buffalo wings can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
To bake in the oven, place the boneless buffalo wings in a single layer on a baking sheet and cook at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. For added crispiness, broil for a minute or two before removing from the oven.
Yes, frozen boneless wings can be cooked without thawing them. Cook them at 380º (193°C) for 13-25 minutes. The exact cook time will vary based on the size of the nuggets. Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature! If the wings came with a sauce packet you can use that, or make the sauce included in this recipe (which I think is way better)!
Related Recipes
Want to know a secret? The chicken prep method for buffalo boneless wings is almost the exact same as Air Fryer Orange Chicken and Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken - it's just the sauce that is different. So if you love this recipe you should check those out as well!
Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind the scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!
Recipe
Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Wings
Recipe by:Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (130 grams)
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup hot pepper sauce (like Frank's Hot sauce)
- Avocado oil spray (or your favorite oil spray)
Instructions
- Cut chicken into large chunks, about 1-inch by 2-inches.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs. Place the chicken pieces into the eggs and toss to coat.
- In a separate shallow bowl or large zip-top container, mix together the flour, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
- Working in small batches, remove the chicken pieces from the eggs and allow the excess egg mixture to drip off. Add the chicken to the flour mixture and toss until the flour is coating the chicken well.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (188°C). Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil. Place the chicken in a single layer in the basket and spray lightly with the oil. It is best to leave a little bit of space between each piece of chicken to help them crisp up. You may need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then flip over and cook an additional 7-10 minutes, or until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- While the chicken is cooking, place the butter and hot sauce in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the butter has melted.
- Once the chicken is cooked through, transfer to a large bowl and toss with the buffalo sauce.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheating:
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for about 5 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Cooking Frozen Boneless Wings:
Frozen boneless wings should be cooked at 380º (193°C) for 13-25 minutes. The exact cook time will vary based on the size of the nuggets. Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature! Baking in Oven:
Place on a baking sheet in a single layer and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). For added crispiness, broil for a minute or two before removing from the oven.
Imari
Soo good! Is there a certain way to reheat these?
Erin
I am so glad you love these wings! To reheat, just cook them in a preheated air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
maryannebell
Super yummy!
Erin
I am so glad that you enjoyed these chicken wings, Mary Anne!
Nick
How much cornstarch do you use in addition to the flour? Wasn't in the ingredients list but was going to try to make these tomorrow.
Erin
Hi Nick! I had intended on removing the cornstarch from the directions. Thank you for letting me know that it was still there! I tested this recipe with both cornstarch and flour, and then with only flour. There was not a noticeable texture difference using cornstarch so I decided to just have flour in the final recipe.
Let me know how you enjoy the wings!
Michael Clements
These wings taste just like the ones served at my favorite restaurant. I’m sold!
Erin
What a compliment! Thank you for sharing!