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This post was originally published in February 2021. It has been updated February 2026 with updated instructions, new findings, and higher quality images.
Watch the recipe
At the time of writing this I’ve actually only made these air fryer buffalo chicken wings twice: once when I first had them, and the second time while recording this video and sharing this recipe with you! Sometimes recipes take lots of trial and error (ahem, poutine, which is still in the works as I’m writing this!), and sometimes you just know that the recipe is perfection - so much so that you absolutely must share it with the world as soon as possible!
That’s how I felt the first time I made these Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings! I made them as an easy appetizer one special Saturday evening when I was making a meatball sub and vanilla custard. If you want to see this you can actually go to my Instagram profile and find IGTV Sunday Funday Episode 15! Sunday Funday is my series where I showcase my special weekend dinners I love cooking! These give me an opportunity to expand out of what I usually make and test out some exciting creations! So if you’re not already following me on Instagram to be a part of those exciting weekly specials, then I really recommend you go follow me right now to be a part of the behind the scenes fun! That’s okay, go do it now! I’ll wait for ya!
With that being said, I must say that I think those were the best wings I’ve ever had in my life. Yes, not just at home, but in my life! Perhaps you’ve seen my Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings recipe. While those chicken wings are pretty darn delicious and indeed they are crispy, I feel I don’t get that amazing juiciness on the inside from the oven as I do in the air fryer. The air fryer is such a game changer! You’ll have such succulent wings that will melt in your mouth! Pair them with a quick buffalo sauce that I’ll show you in this recipe and you’ll never want the wings to keep coming your way!
Why Make Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
Well, I don’t know why not! Baking your wings in the oven is pretty great, but there are some downsides! Here’s why I recommend you use an air fryer instead of the oven:
- Shorter cook time! Baking chicken wings takes about an hour. Here, we’ll cut that time in half!
- The taste is closer to deep-fried in an air fryer than it is in the oven!
- There’s less clean-up than using an oven! When making chicken wings in the oven, I place the wings on a wire rack and put the wire rack over a baking tray. Placing the wire rack over the baking tray helps prevent a mess in your oven because the juices from the chicken wings will drip onto the baking tray. But we’ll have to clean that and the wire rack up after cooking! It’s so easy to clean the tray and basket of the air fryer! So much easier!
Now why make your wings in the air fryer instead of deep frying? Well, I think we all know the answer to this - no oil! Yes, no oil at all! However, if your air fryer basket is not non-stick like mine is, then I would recommend you spray the basket with some spray oil or drizzle a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.
How to Make Juicy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
This air fryer chicken wing recipe is unbelievably easy! Let’s get to it!
For the Chicken Wings Prep
Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels. If time permits, place them in the fridge uncovered for 30 minutes to allow them to dry out even further.
Season with salt, pepper, and aluminum-free baking powder (for extra crispiness).
For the Wings (updated in 2026)
Preheat the air fryer to 260°F.
Add the wings to the basket in a single layer and cook for 20 minutes at 260°F using the Bake mode. Flip the wings after 10 minutes.
Increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes, shaking once, until deeply golden and crispy.
For the Sauce
While the wings are cooking, prepare the sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan and add 2 cups of hot sauce to the saucepan. Bring it up to a simmer.
Once the sauce has come to a simmer, turn off the heat.
Add the wings to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings. Toss well and serve immediately!
How Do I Know the Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings Are Ready?▼
The wings are ready when they have a crisp golden brown crust on the outside. If you really want to be sure that they are cooked, they should reach an internal temperature of 165 F.
Can I Cook the Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings from Frozen?▼
I’m going to just say it straight up and tell you that I wouldn’t do it! The answer here is going to be a hard no.
For best results, I strongly urge you to fully defrost your chicken wings overnight before cooking. I really recommend that you plan your meals in advance or buy your wings the day you ‘ll be making them for the freshest and tastiest wings! There are too many variables at play if you’re working with frozen meat, which is why I never do it and won’t be doing it.
Tips & Tricks for Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Wearing gloves is definitely helpful here to massage the spices into the wings and work with them!
- Pat the wings dry before cooking. If time permits, place the wings uncovered in the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow them to dry out even more.
- Why baking powder makes wings crispy: Tossing wings with a small amount of aluminum-free baking powder raises the pH of the skin and helps it crisp up faster in the air fryer. Use 1 tsp of baking powder for every pound of chicken wings you’re using.
- Flip the wings with tongs after 10 minutes to ensure both sides get evenly colored.
- Make sure not to stack the wings on top of each other. If you don’t have enough space in your basket, then I recommend you make your wings in two batches. It’ll be worth it! You can always quickly reheat the wings from the first batch in the air fryer by selecting the reheat setting.
For more information on how to get perfectly crisp air fryer chicken wings, check out the video below!
Watch the recipe
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are so much fun! I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks this, but once you get started munching on them, you can’t stop! I always wish there were more! They’re just super satisfying and loads of fun to eat!
You can have chicken wings as an appetizer before pretty much any main dish! Some classic suggestions would be before having pizza or a burger. If you’d like some burger recipe ideas, then be sure to check out my burger recipes!
Chicken wings are pretty much a mandatory snack while watching the Super Bowl. I believe I made this recipe right after Super Bowl Sunday! You may also have your wings with some air fryer French fries or Cajun potato wedges since you’re already using the air fryer! Other great options are celery sticks, fried mozzarella sticks, or coleslaw!
I’ll be tossing these wings in my buffalo sauce to finish off, and serving some extra on the side. I also recommend some ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing on the side.
Let me know in the comments how you like to enjoy your chicken wings!
What Air Fryer Do You Recommend?▼
Oh my, there are so many out there! I only purchased my air fryer about two months ago, and there were a lot of factors to consider!
I have the Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 2-Basket Air Fryer. I like this air fryer because there are two baskets! This came in so handy this day because I actually filmed this recipe and my Cajun potato wedges simultaneously! I wouldn’t be able to do this otherwise! If you want an entire air-fried meal with different components, then this is the air fryer for you! You can set the two baskets to different temperatures, cook times, and even cook settings! You can also ensure that both baskets stay warm and finish cooking at the same time.
I honestly have only really used the air fry and bake settings in my air fryer, but there are six! The other settings are: dehydrate, air broil, reheat, and roast. So if you’re looking to get very creative with your air frying, then this really is the air fryer for you!
The reason I purchased this air fryer was honestly because of the brand. I have the Ninja Prep Blenders for making my purees and sauces, and the Ninja Professional Blender for smoothies, smoothie bowls and protein ice creams! But I know there’s a more basic Ninja air fryer. I like to have the best of the best, so it was love at first sight when I saw this air fryer on sale at Canadian Tire!
However, in 2026, since updating this post, I now use the Cosori TurboBlaze 6 QT air fryer. Not too long after purchasing the Ninja air fryer discussed above, one of the baskets broke. Unfortunately, this defeated this entire purpose of the air fryer, so I got rid of it. You can learn more about what happened to my air fryer in this video.
I went a few years since then without an air fryer. After visiting my sister in Chicago and seeing how convenient the air fryer truly is, I wanted to give it another chance. When I returned home from my trip, I purchased the air fryer I have now, and it’s been excellent! The features are pretty similar, and I actually prefer having the single larger basket. You can learn all about that air fryer here.
I Don’t Have an Air Fryer!
Well, don’t worry! I didn’t either for the longest time! I was quite late to the party!
If you’re on the fence about purchasing an air fryer, my recommendation to you is to get one! It’s really changed - seriously it has! If you want more details about my very first impressions after a week of using the air fryer, then definitely check out this First Impressions Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Review! The day after I had purchased my air fryer, I literally used it every single day! I’m a guy who loves his crispy chicken and French fries, and while I love the taste of deep fried, I know I can’t do that every day! So while I would often bake my Panko-crusted chicken or have my go-to Baked Homemade Crispy French Fries as a side, ever since making these recipes in the air fryer, I don’t think I’ll ever use the oven again! There’s just no need to because it’s much less effort to do in the air fryer, and you save so much time! Plus, they taste closer to deep fried in the air fryer than in the oven. So if you’re asking me if it’s worth investing in one, I really say YES if you want to get as close to the deep fried taste as possible in your cooking!
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