If you've ever wanted to enjoy spicy wings without the mess of deep-frying, these baked chicken wings in buffalo sauce are exactly what you need. They come out crispy, saucy, and seriously satisfying-all straight from your oven.
I've made these for game days, quick dinners, and even family movie nights. Honestly? No one misses the fryer. Plus, the recipe is simple enough to pull off any night of the week.
And if you love easy comfort foods like this, you'll also enjoy my crispy baked parmesan chicken tenders for another crowd-pleasing option.
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why you'll love these wings
- Healthier than fried but still crispy
- Simple pantry spices for seasoning
- Easy homemade buffalo sauce that coats every wing
- Perfect for game days, parties, or just a fun dinner
ingredients you'll need
For the wings
- 3 pounds chicken wings, split with tips removed
- Avocado oil spray
- 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon of any other salt)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the buffalo sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
Pro tip: Patting the wings dry before seasoning makes a huge difference in crispiness.
step-by-step instructions
prepare the wings
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the chicken wings on the sheet, spray them lightly with avocado oil, then season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Give them another quick spray of oil to help everything stick.
bake until crispy
Bake for about 30 minutes, until the skin is browned and crispy. Once they look golden, lower the oven to "keep warm" (170°F) and leave the wings in for another 30 minutes. This extra time helps the skin crisp up beautifully.
make the buffalo sauce
While the wings finish baking, melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl (about 20 seconds). Add the hot pepper sauce and whisk until smooth. Adjust the heat level by adding a little extra hot sauce if you like things spicier.
toss and serve
Use tongs to coat the wings in the buffalo sauce. Serve right away with blue cheese dip and crunchy celery sticks for the classic pairing.

storage and reheating tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to keep the skin crispy.
- You can also freeze cooked wings for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight before reheating.
variations to try
- Swap smoked paprika for chili powder if you want more heat.
- Use ranch instead of blue cheese for dipping.
- Make them milder by adding more butter and less hot sauce.
- Try different sauces-honey garlic or teriyaki are fun twists.
best sides to serve with buffalo wings
These wings are great on their own, but if you're making them for a party or family dinner, pair them with:
- Carrot sticks and celery
- Potato wedges or fries
- Coleslaw
- A fresh green salad
faq
Are baked chicken wings healthier than fried wings?
Yes! Baking cuts the fat and calories by up to 40%, while still giving you crispy skin.
How can I make them extra crispy?
Dry the wings really well, don't overcrowd the pan, and bake them long enough to render the fat.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, bake them, cool completely, and store in the fridge. Reheat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes before tossing in sauce.
How do I adjust the spice level?
For milder wings, add more butter to the sauce. For spicier, add more hot sauce or even a pinch of cayenne.
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Print📖 Recipe

Baked Chicken Wings in Buffalo Sauce
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy oven-baked chicken wings tossed in a simple, spicy homemade buffalo sauce. A healthier alternative to fried wings-perfect for game days, parties, or a fun dinner at home.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings, split with tips removed
- Avocado oil spray
- 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon other salt)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange chicken wings on the sheet, spray lightly with avocado oil, and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Spray again lightly with oil.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, until browned and crispy.
- Reduce oven to 170°F (keep warm) and leave wings in for another 30 minutes to crisp further.
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl (about 20 seconds). Stir in hot pepper sauce until smooth.
- Use tongs to toss wings in buffalo sauce until coated.
- Serve immediately with blue cheese dip and celery sticks.
Notes
Pro tip: Patting the wings dry before seasoning makes them extra crispy. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Freeze for up to 3 months. Try variations like honey garlic or teriyaki for a fun twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 wings
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg






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