Baked Buffalo Wings

With this recipe you get a nice big batch of wings. And since they are made in the oven, you don’t have to fry batch after batch. They’re all done at the same time; and you get to party with the rest of the them!

For the buffalo wing sauce we keep the recipe really simple. A combination of butter and a cayenne pepper based hot sauce like Crystal or Frank’s. That’s it. Really simple, really delicious!

If you need more party appetizer ideas, check out these sticky chicken wings or these pork riblets.

Ingredients

• 3½ - 4 pounds Chicken Wings, drumettes and flats separated and wing tips removed (about 24-32 wing pieces)
• 1 teaspoon Salt, we use kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
• Cooking Spray
• 6 tablespoons Butter, melted
• 6 tablespoons Cayenne Pepper based Hot Sauce (like Crystal or Frank's)
• You will also need: 2 Large baking sheets (half sheet pans), 1 Cooling rack that fits in the sheet pan, pastry brush

Prep Work

The prep work on these delicious baked wings is quick and easy.

• Preheat Oven to 375°F
• If you’re starting with whole wings, remove the wing tips and separate the drumettes from the flats. You can use kitchen shears or a knife. Find the joints then cut between the joints. If there is resistance, then you are not at the joint, it should give fairly easy.
• Trim excess fat off the wings, the drumettes especially may have a thick layer.

• Combine the salt, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl.
• Place the wings in a large bowl and sprinkle with the seasoning mix. Toss or stir the wings to coat with the seasoning.

How to make baked buffalo wings

Spray a large baking sheet lightly with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken wings, in a single layer, skin side up. Bake them for 30 minutes.

Line a clean, large baking sheet with a cooling rack. Spray the cooling rack lightly with cooking spray. Transfer the wings to the fresh pan, arrange them in a single layer (skin side up).

The cooling rack will elevate the wings and allow air to circulate around them. Bake the chicken wings for 15 minutes. At this point the internal temperature of the chicken wings should be at least 165°F. Use an instant read thermometer to make sure.

While the wings bake, make the easy two ingredient buffalo sauce. It comes together in just a few minutes. Use a cayenne pepper and vinegar based hot sauce. We use Crystal, it has a kick, but it’s not too spicy. Use your favorite brand.

• Melt the butter gently in a small saucepan or microwave. Heat it just enough to melt, don’t overheat. Add the melted butter and hot sauce to a bowl, stir vigorously to combine.

Finish the wings

Remove the wings from the oven. Turn them so the paler side is up (skin side down). Brush them with the buffalo sauce and bake for 5 minutes.

Turn each wing one more time and brush with the sauce.

Return the wings to the oven and bake another 10 minutes.

Pour or brush any remaining sauce over the wings as soon as they come out of the oven and add a little extra hot sauce if you like them spicy. If the buffalo sauce firms up while you’re still working on the wings, give it about 5-10 seconds in the microwave and stir vigorously until it melts again. Makes 24-32 wings

You may also like these tasty recipes:

• Mango habanero wings
• Buffalo chicken bites
• Cold buffalo chicken dip
• Buffalo chicken wrap
• Buffalo chicken sandwich