No false promises here – these are SERIOUSLY CRISPY Oven Baked Buffalo Wings!
Made using the world famous Cooks’ Illustrated technique, the skin is so shatteringly crisp, it’s hard to believe they aren’t fried. Unbelievably easy to make, try this once and you’ll be converted for life. Watch the quick recipe video to hear how crispy these really are!
Ultra Crispy BAKED Buffalo Wings
The great thing about the internet is that there are loads of options for any recipe your heart desires. The bad thing about the internet is sifting through all those Google search results to find a recipe that actually works as promised and is exactly what you are after.
So here is what I promise you: If you love perfectly seasoned crispy buffalo wings, tossed in a classic spicy, buttery Buffalo Sauce with a tinge of sweetness and prefer to avoid the mess and calories of deep frying, this is The One.
Hand on heart, these aren’t just “quite crispy but still not like they’ve been deep fried”. These wings are seriously crispy. The skin is paper thin and shatteringly crisp, honestly like they’ve been deep fried. No exaggeration. You can read the hundreds and hundreds of testimonials in the original Truly Crispy Oven Baked Wings recipe that I shared if you want assurance. ❤️
You can’t see how crispy the skin is when I’ve smothered them in that glorious Buffalo Sauce so here’s a photo of them plain, straight out of the oven. And if you have 90 seconds, watch the recipe video below the recipe so you can hear how crispy they are!
How to make Ultra Crispy Buffalo Wings in the Oven
The recipe is ridiculously simple, and it’s a genius discovery by the amazing folk over at Cook’s Illustrated who used science to figure out how to make truly crispy wings in the oven. The 2 unique steps in this recipe that make all the difference are:
1. tossing the wings in baking powder which draws moisture to the surface of the skin and helps make it crispy. Rest assured you can’t taste the baking powder at all; and
2. baking the wings at a low temperature first, which melts the fat under the skin (which also means less calories!), then cranking it right up to crisp up the skin in a hot oven.
Then toss them in Buffalo Sauce…..
…..and serve with a side of Blue Cheese Dip. Oh – and celery. Crispy wings, spicy buttery Buffalo Sauce, the earthy creamy blue cheese dip and fresh crunchy celery is a magical combination. I don’t know who discovered it, but they deserve a Nobel Prize. I remember the first time I tried it, I squinted at the celery sticks and thought, “who would bother with them?”. But they work! It’s like the perfect way to reboot your taste buds in between each wing!!
I first posted these Truly Crispy Oven Baked Buffalo Wings back in June 2015 when I launched my Chicken Wings Cookbook (yes I’m that obsessed with wings!). In the time since then, I’ve learned how to shoot recipe videos which is why I’m reposting this recipe. And while I was at it, I did some fresh new photos too.
Plus, it’s just in time for Super Bowl Sunday this weekend! How could I NOT post the single most sought after football party food in America?? ? – Nagi xx
Buffalo Wings
Watch how to make it
Truly Crispy Oven Baked Buffalo Wings recipe video! PS PUMP UP THE VOLUME so you can hear how crispy they are!!
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Truly Crispy Oven Baked Buffalo Wings
Ingredients
Crispy Baked Wings
- 4 lb / 2 kg chicken wings, wingettes & drumettes (Note 1)
- 5 teaspoons baking powder (NOT baking soda / bi-carb soda) (Note 2)
- 3/4 teaspoons salt
Sauce
- 4 tbsp / 60g unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce (Note 3)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Blue Cheese Dip
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese, softened (I use gorgonzola)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 clove small garlic, minced
- 1 - 3 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper
To Serve
- Celery sticks
- Lots of beer
Instructions
Crispy Baked Wings
- Lay the wings on a rack on a rimmed baking tray and let them dry in the fridge overnight. Alternatively, pat them dry with paper towels.
- Preheat the oven to 250F / 120C (all oven types - standard/convection/fan). Put one oven shelf in the lower quarter of the oven and one in the top quarter.
- Place the wings in a large ziplock bag. Add the baking powder and salt. Shake the bag to coat the wings evenly.
- Line the tray with foil. Spray the rack on the baking tray with oil. Place the wings skin side up on the rack (ok if snug, they shrink). Bake on the lower shelf in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Then move the tray up to the higher shelf and turn the oven up to 425F / 220C. Bake for a further 40 to 50 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through. The wings do not need to be turned over. The wings are ready when they are dark golden brown and the skin is very crispy.
- Toss with Hot Sauce and serve immediately with Blue Cheese Dip and celery sticks. They can be served plain, with a dipping sauce or tossed in sauce.
Sauce
- Whisk together the Sauce ingredients. Keep warm or reheat just prior to using.
Blue Cheese Dip
- Mash the blue cheese with sour cream until smooth (or to your taste).
- Add remaining ingredients and mix well until combined, using milk to get it to the consistency you want.
- Store in the fridge until required. Remove from the fridge 15 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes:
* Salt - only a small amount is required, it's a phenomenon I can't explain but this small amount perfectly seasons 2kg/4lb of wings using this baking method.
* These shrink when baked because the fat under the skin renders out (melts) which is how these become super crisp. So they can be snug on the rack.
* They are JUICY not dry, despite the long cook time. This is because the first bake at the lower temp barely cooks them, it only melts the fat.
* These bake to a golden brown, not a deep golden brown. You will know they are done because the skin will be lovely and crispy. 5. Source: The recipe for the wings is from Cook's Illustrated "Meats Book" cookbook. The sauce recipe is my own. 6. To reheat: Allow to cool, then cover and refrigerate - do not coat with sauce. The skin will wrinkle and soften. Preheat oven to 200C/390F. Spread wings out on tray, skin side up, and bake for 5 to 8 minutes or until the skin puffs up so the wrinkles smooth out and becomes crisp again. 7. Make Ahead: These stay crispy for as long as the wings are warm, so around 20 – 30 minutes. The skin stays crispy for around 10 – 15 minutes after tossing in the sauce, then after that they start to soften but not go soggy, up to around 30 minutes. If you reheat after tossing in sauce, they go soggy. 8. Comprehensive FAQ is available in the original Truly Crispy Oven Baked Wings. 8. Oven Baked Buffalo Wings nutrition for just plain crispy wings (419 cal) and including the hot sauce (476 cal), both assuming 8 servings. Note that the wings have been adjusted to reflect the amount of fat that is rendered out (I measured the fat I poured off the tray 🙂 ).
Nutrition Information:
Originally posted June 2015.
How to cut Chicken Wings
Here in Australia, chicken wings are usually sold whole rather than cut into drumettes and wingettes. While this recipe can be used for whole chicken wings, I prefer to cut them to make them easier to eat.
Here is how I cut chicken wings. The knife just glides through the joints – you won’t need to use any force or bang the knife with your hand to cut it through. Once you get the hang of it, it’s really fast. It takes me around 2 – 3 minutes to cut up 2 kg / 4 lb of wings (not showing off, just saying!).
- Pick up the drumette end of the wing and hold the wing to form a “V”. Holding the wing this way stretches the joint open, making it easier for the knife to glide through the joint;
- Cut vertically through the joint. Don’t use too much force, you knife will find the path of least resistance because the joint is stretched open;
- Now repeat for the wing tip – hold it in a “V” and cut straight down through the base of the “V”; and
- You’re done! Discard the wing tip – save them to make stock (or give to your pup!).
Life of Dozer
This is what a Food Coma looks like.
My Chicken Wings eCookbook
Because yes, I’m that obsessed with wings, I made an entire cookbook of recipes solely dedicated to wings. Crispy, crunchy, sticky, glazed, breaded/crumbed – all my favourites are in here along with essential dipping sauces. Find out more here! ❤️
Beef nachos an incredible hit with recuperating son tonight. Particularly impressed with your cheese dip/sauce. Thank you. Looked up your buffalo wings recipe but no idea what baking powder is (I’m in Australia) Internet just confusing me. Can you give me info as to how I make it if not available ‘Downunder”? Ta. H x
Hi Heather, I’m so glad you loved the Nachos!! I’m in Australia, baking powder is located in the baking aisle in Woolworths/Coles!
Love your website Nagi, it’s my first point of call for new recipes.
These wings are the top family favourite!
I’VE TRIED MANY RECIPES FOR WINGS OVER THE YEARS. WHEN I FOUND YOURS, A FEW YEARS AGO, I STOPPED LOOKING! YOUR RECIPE IS THE BEST.THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT. I HAVE ALERTED ALL OF MY COOKING CONTACTS TO YOUR WEBSITE.
That’s so great to hear Toby, thank you!
If u have time can u try search Beth kitchen because we cooked same same u but they deep fry 😜 i just would like u know about food difference country 😋
Anyway, I love your chicken wing no deep fry look yummy & i will try next week .
Thankyou NAGI have a good day & peach
My family and I just finished eating these and we all agree they’re the best I’ve ever made.
Thank you!
Hi Nagi! I’m a new fan from the Philippines. I have a question about the sauce. If I am using sriracha, do I need to add 1 tsp sugar in addition to the 1 tbsp brown sugar in the recipe? Thanks in advance for replying!
Hi Ellen, I’d just add it to taste ☺️
Have been waiting for months to try this recipe and they were worth the wait. Fantastic and they really do crisp up!
I’m so glad you loved them!
Sorry to say these did not come out so well for me. Followed recipe exactly but at instructed times wings still not crispy and had to be flipped due to soggy undersides. I broiled for Several minutes to finish. By the time I put them on serving platter and to table they were soft. Family disappointed after rave reviews. We have gotten so many bad wings in restaurants that I was sure this would be so good at home, but sorry to say was not for us.
Hi Patty, that doesn’t sound right at all! Were they extra large wings or just regular size?
I never leave reviews but these are friggin fantastic! Made them several times and they’re always nice & crispy, just like they were deep fried. So much better that big chain wings. Thanks!
Glad to hear it CR!! Thanks for leaving a comment – Nx
How can I substitute chicken legs,?
Hi Paula, you could however they would take longer to cook – N x
I love this recipe it so easy to follow. I made them the first time for an co workers birthday. Everyone loved them. They could not be live they were backed.. I an fixing more today because my husband asked for them this way not the fried way. Thanks
You won’t turn back now! I’m so glad you love them Charlene ❤️
I’ve made both the wings and the blue cheese dip a few times and my family absolutely loves them. I make a homemade honey garlic sauce for half of them and just use Frank’s buffalo wing sauce to coat the other half. Thanks for such a great recipe! It’s one of our favorites.
Sounds awesome!! – N x
Yummy! And very crisp! Thanks for the recipe!
You’re so welcome Carolyn, I’m so glad you loved them!
Since moving back to the American Mid-West I am wing obsessed and these are terrific. It’s so cool that the baking powder does the trick, and the low beginning temp. Genius!
I’m so happy you love them Laura!
Kids loved it and so did the adults. Suggest a little more of the sauce and since I like it spicy, perhaps more Frank’s in it. Thanks
Would this recipe work if I don’t have a rack and placed the wings directly on a baking sheet?
Hi Ed, it would but I find they may just be sitting in a bit of fat that drains off. Try removing them halfway through baking and draining the tray ☺️
Absolutely amazing across the board from taste, consistency and texture (yes, they are truly crispy!). Made them for the superbowl and everyone that eat them couldn’t believe they were not fried.
Wahoo Jon, I’m so glad they were a hit!
Made these yesterday for the Super Bowl. Absolutely fantastic! Had one issue with our Frigidaire Galaxy convection oven, however. It has a heating element on the top and the bottom that come on alternately when using the conventional bake method. This was too much direct heat for the wings when placed on the upper shelf. There are two options for using the oven in convention mode “convection bake” and “convection roast”. Convection bake uses both heating elements and results in the same problem. Convection roast, however, only uses the bottom heating element plus the fan, of course. That worked perfectly!
Hi Brian, I’m so glad they worked out for you!