Insanely Good Buffalo Wings (Air Fryer) Simone's Kitchen

Name: Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 750 g chicken wing; 1 tbsp cornstarch; ½ tsp chili powder; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper; Honey BBQ sauce (as needed); 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives; 3 tbsp mayonnaise; 2 tsp crispy chili oil; 2 tbsp finely chopped pickles

I’d obviously heard of Buffalo wings before, but somehow I’d never actually made them myself. Clearly, it was time to change that!

I should immediately point out that these are my own – very easy – version of Buffalo wings. A lot of American recipes use Frank’s RedHot for the sauce, but I decided to keep things simple and went for a sweet and spicy honey BBQ version instead.

So while I can’t promise you these are authentic Buffalo wings, I can promise you they’re really good. Crispy chicken wings, a sticky honey BBQ coating, and a creamy chili pickle dip on the side. What’s not to love?

Tip from Simone
What Are Buffalo Wings?
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Buffalo Wings in the Air Fryer
FAQ Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

Tip from Simone

Make sure the chicken wings are really dry before putting them into the air fryer. The drier the skin, the crispier your wings will be.

And serve them straight away! Once you add the sauce, that beautiful crispy skin will gradually soften. Not necessarily a disaster – they’ll still taste delicious – but crispy and sticky is definitely the best combination.

What Are Buffalo Wings?

Classic Buffalo wings originated in Buffalo, New York, and are traditionally served with a spicy, buttery hot sauce.

According to the best-known story, Buffalo wings were invented at the Anchor Bar in 1964. Teressa Bellissimo supposedly had unexpected late-night guests and used chicken wings, which at the time were often reserved for stock or simply discarded. She fried the wings, tossed them in a mixture of butter and hot sauce, and served them with celery and blue cheese dressing.

They became a huge success and Buffalo wings are now known all over the world.

My version is a little different. Instead of the traditional buttery hot sauce, I use honey BBQ sauce. It still gives you deliciously sticky wings, but they’re a little sweeter and much more approachable if you’re not a fan of seriously spicy food.

They’re perfect for game day, movie night, drinks with friends, or simply whenever you’re in the mood for some proper comfort food.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make these easy air fryer Buffalo wings:

Chicken wing flats – Flats become wonderfully crispy in the air fryer. You can also use whole chicken wings or drumettes, but larger pieces may need a little longer to cook.
Cornstarch – This is one of the secrets to an extra-crispy coating. Potato starch is a good substitute.
Chili powder – Adds a little heat. If you don’t like spicy food, simply leave it out.
Garlic powder and onion powder – These add plenty of flavor without the risk of fresh garlic or onion burning in the air fryer.
Smoked paprika – Gives the wings a delicious smoky BBQ flavor.
Salt and black pepper – For seasoning.
Honey BBQ sauce – I use Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey Barbecue Sauce, but your favorite honey BBQ sauce will work just as well.
Fresh chives – Adds a fresh finishing touch and a little color.

For the Dipping Sauce

I decided to make a simple creamy dipping sauce instead of the more traditional blue cheese dressing. You could, of course, serve these wings with my Gorgonzola sauce if you want something closer to the classic combination.

Mayonnaise – The creamy base of the dip.
Crispy chili oil – Adds heat, flavor, and a little crunch. Regular chili sauce can also be used.
Pickles – Finely chopped pickles add freshness and acidity, which works really well against the sweet and sticky BBQ sauce.

Always check the recipe card below for the exact quantities.

How to Make Buffalo Wings in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Dry and season the wings

Pat the chicken wings really well with paper towels. Don’t skip this part, as removing excess moisture helps them become much crispier.

Step 2: Season the chicken wings

Place the wings in a large bowl and add the cornstarch, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Toss everything together until the wings are evenly coated.

Step 3: Air fry until crispy

Preheat the air fryer to 355°F (180°C).

Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in two batches.

Air fry for about 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and completely cooked through. Larger wings may need a little more time.

Step 4: Add the BBQ sauce

Remove the wings from the air fryer and immediately brush them generously on both sides with the honey BBQ sauce.

Sprinkle with the finely chopped fresh chives.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 355°F (180°C) for about 4-5 minutes to crisp them up again. Keep an eye on them if they already have BBQ sauce on them, as the sugars in the sauce can burn.

Freezer: For the best results, freeze the cooked chicken wings before adding the BBQ sauce. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, reheat in the air fryer until piping hot and crispy, and then brush with the BBQ sauce.

FAQ Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings

Yes. The wings will still be delicious without it, but the cornstarch helps create that extra-crispy exterior. If you don’t have cornstarch, potato starch is a good alternative.

I use Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey Barbecue Sauce because I like the combination of sweet, smoky, and sticky flavors. But you can use any honey BBQ sauce you like.

If you prefer your wings spicier, mix a little hot sauce or extra crispy chili oil into the BBQ sauce.

You can season the chicken wings ahead of time and keep them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook them.

For the crispiest result, however, I recommend air frying them just before serving. And definitely wait to add the BBQ sauce until the last minute.

For a classic Buffalo-wing-style spread, serve them with celery and carrot sticks and a creamy blue cheese dip.

You can also turn them into more of a meal by adding a big crunchy salad, coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or a tray of sweet potato fries. I especially like adding plenty of fresh vegetables on the side, as their crunch and freshness balance out the rich, sticky wings.

The wings should be golden and crispy on the outside and fully cooked in the center. The safest way to check is with an instant-read thermometer: chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part, without touching the bone.