Crispy, saucy, and ready in about 30 minutes, these Air Fryer Buffalo Wings are perfect for game day or an easy weeknight dinner. Tossed in a buttery hot sauce, they bring that restaurant-style flavor home without the mess of frying.
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Note from Erin
I’ve made chicken wings just about every way you can imagine, from baked in the oven to fried on the stovetop to boneless versions. And don’t get me wrong, they’re all good. But when I don’t want to mess with hot oil or heat up the kitchen, the air fryer wins.
The seasoning mix adds tons of flavor. My family says they are better than our favorite restaurant wings!
Helpful Ingredient Tips
The recipe card at the bottom of this post includes the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
- Chicken wings: Look for party wings, which are already separated into drumettes and flats. If you buy whole wings, you can cut through the joint to separate them yourself. Clip off the wing tip, which doesn't have much meat, to help them better fit in the air fryer basket.
- Cornstarch: Some recipes call for baking powder to dry out the skin, but cornstarch creates a lighter, more delicate crunch without any risk of a metallic aftertaste. It works especially well in the air fryer, where the hot circulating air does most of the drying.
- Seasoning mix: Instead of relying solely on the sauce for flavor, these wings are seasoned from the start. Garlic, onion, smoked paprika, and cayenne add depth and a hint of heat, so the wings taste great even before the sauce is added.
Keep It Simple 🍃
A quick sauce of hot sauce and melted butter gives the wings a silky, restaurant-style finish. If you’d rather skip the stovetop step, you can use bottled wing sauce instead.
How to Make the Best Air Fryer Wings
- Step 1: Drizzle the wings with a little oil, then toss with the cornstarch and seasoning mix. The oil helps the coating stick and helps the skin to brown evenly.
- Step 2: Make sure there is space for the hot air to circulate around each piece; otherwise, they'll end up soggy. Cook in batches, if needed.
- Step 3: Look for deep golden skin that looks blistered and crisp. If they aren't as crispy as you want, cook a few minutes longer.
- Step 4: Coat the wings while they are hot so the sauce clings to the skin.
Some models of air fryers cook faster than others, so use a thermometer to check the internal temperature and remove the chicken once it reaches 165°F (74°C).
Top Tip!
For the crispiest wings, make sure they are completely dry before adding oil and seasonings. Any extra moisture will keep the oil from adhering to the chicken and the cornstarch from forming a light, crunchy coating.
Cooking for a Crowd
When making wings for a large group, these Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings are the way to go. A whole sheet pan cooks at once, so everyone can eat together.
And I’ll usually do one tray of buffalo and another of garlic butter so there’s something for everyone.
Make it Special✨
Want a little more flavor? Marinate the wings in buffalo sauce overnight, season them with the spice mix as a dry rub up to 24 hours ahead, or toss them in my Honey Buffalo Wing Sauce for a sweet and spicy twist.
If you forgot to pull your meat out to thaw (we've all been there), no worries! It'll just take about 10 minutes or so extra. They won’t be quite as crunchy as pre-thawed wings, but they’ll still be saucy, flavorful, and perfect for a last-minute craving.
Recipe
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Recipe by:Ingredients
- 2 pounds (907 grams) chicken wings split at the joints, tips removed
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ cup (120 grams) Buffalo Sauce like Frank's Hot Sauce
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes.
- Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. Place in a large bowl and drizzle with oil, tossing to coat.2 pounds chicken wings, 1 tablespoon canola oil
- In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Sprinkle over the wings and toss until evenly coated.1 tablespoon cornstarch, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket with space between each piece. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the wings and continue cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown, crisp, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Larger wings may need a few extra minutes.
- While the wings are cooking, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in buffalo sauce until smooth.½ cup Buffalo Sauce, 2 tablespoons butter
- Transfer hot wings to a clean bowl. Pour the sauce over the top and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
The nutritional facts provided are only estimates. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
More Wing Recipes
If you love the ease of the air fryer, Air Fryer Boneless Wings are another favorite. Same bold flavor, no bones! And when you want to mix things up for game day, here are a few more wing recipes to try:
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