Even baked from frozen these wings are unbelievable good. Crispy Baked Chicken Wings (with the best buffalo sauce) are a must make for your next game day at home.
Until not too long ago I refused to eat buffalo chicken wings (with bones). Really good wings are hard to come by at restaurants and I’d had more than enough soggy, fatty wings to swear them off. But then this most recent Super Bowl happened and I was reading how many people serve wings that weekend and so I admit I gave in to the peer pressure. And that’s how I’m bringing you these crispy (like unbelievably crisp) baked chicken wings that you can make conveniently at home.
I’m a big fan of Cook’s Illustrated so I started by searching for a wing recipe that they had created in their test kitchen but I ran across another recipe post instead (which used the Cook’s Illustrated recipe). The problem I had when going to purchase my wings the day before the Super Bowl however (yes I am a procrastinator) was that I was stuck with frozen (ice coated) wings. There was not a fresh wing in sight. But guess what? The frozen wings worked! As in I baked them from frozen and they were still amazingly crispy!
So what’s the secret? Baking powder. Not baking soda. Baking powder. I’m not sure why it works because I didn’t actually read the Cook’s Illustrated well-researched article behind the recipe but it most definitely works and I am so happy it does! You will be too.
Tips for making Crispy Baked Chicken Wings:
- It is not necessary to search out fresh wings for this recipe – I used a bag of frozen chicken wings and followed the package temperature and time suggestions to bake them from frozen
- Equipment matters for baking these chicken wings properly
- I used a baking sheet like this one
- Lined with parchment paper (you could also use foil)
- And I baked the wings on an oven safe baking rack like this one to allow air to circulate on all sides of the wings
- Be sure to lightly oil the baking rack first to make sure the chicken wings don’t stick
Now about what I believe is the best buffalo sauce. I’ve made this recipe for crispy baked chicken wings several times now, tweaking the sauce each time. And I found what I think is the perfect flavor and spice combination. I only use four ingredients for my sauce.
Ingredients for making the Best Buffalo Sauce:
- I use this brand of wing sauce
- Mixed with this brand of chili garlic sauce
- Mixed with pure maple syrup
- Plus a little salt
You also might be wondering why I’m posting a recipe I discovered right before the Super Bowl now? Two words: March Madness
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Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
Even baked from frozen these wings are unbelievable good. Crispy Baked Chicken Wings (with the best buffalo sauce) are a must make for your next game day at home.
Ingredients
- 1 2.5 pound bag frozen chicken wings (or drumettes)
- 1 1/2 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup Frank's buffalo wing sauce
- 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
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Add the frozen chicken wings (or drumettes if you prefer) to a large gallon-sized zippered bag with the baking powder. Shake the wings to coat.
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Line a sheet pan with parchment paper (or foil). Place an oven-safe baking rack on top of the lined sheet pan. Lightly oil the rack.
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Place the baking powder coated frozen wings on the baking rack and bake for 80 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the wings is 165 degrees. If desired you can broil the chicken wings for the last two minutes of cooking time to get them even more browned.
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Whisk together the buffalo sauce, chili garlic sauce, maple syrup and salt. Add the baked chicken wings to a bowl and toss them with the sauce until they are evenly coated.
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Serve the wings with fresh carrots and celery and blue cheese dressing.
More game day favorites:
- Meatloaf Sliders
- Cincinnati Nachos
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Seven Layer Hoagie Dip
- Ultimate Pizza Dip
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
Wow! I love spicy foods and these definitely look drool worthy. Thanks for sharing the tip about baking powder..never heard that before.
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome. I hope you try them!
David @ Cooking Chat says
Mmm, looks like you got these to come out just right! Crispy is best way to enjoy wings.
foodtasticmom says
Exactly! Thank you David
Natalie says
I love chicken wings and always look for different ways to make it for diversity. These look and sound delicious and I love the idea of baking it instead of frying – way easier!
foodtasticmom says
So simple – and much less mess!
Dannii says
Anything that is smothered with franks hot sauce is good with me. I am obsessed with that stuff at the moment.
foodtasticmom says
It’s hard to beat. Try it with a little chili garlic sauce mixed in – OMG
Chris says
buffalo wings are my absolute fav! Love that you’ve made them crispy through baking as well. Pinned this for later! Thanks for sharing 🙂
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome. Let me know what you think if you try them!
Brian Jones says
They look superb, I made wings for the first time in ages a couple of weeks ago, must give your recipe a try.
foodtasticmom says
Yes you definitely should. Thanks so much Brian!
Debbye says
These look so good, I want to jump into the page and grab one. And your step by step instructions make the recipe super easy to follow. Thanks so much, my grandkids will love these.
foodtasticmom says
Yay! So glad you enjoy the recipe. Come back and let us know what your grandkids think 🙂
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Mmm those wings look absolutely amazing! I know what you mean about soggy ones in restaurants, it can be so hard to get the perfect wings but these look great!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Bintu!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
Oh wow, I love the tip for getting the wings crispy, I can use that for all my oven fried foods!
foodtasticmom says
You know, I hadn’t even thought about trying the baking powder on other things, LOL Great idea!!
Andre Casey says
This definitely looks crisp and savory! Good mention about the use of baking powder, never heard of that. Crispy chicken and chili sauce is the way to go! Looks better than take out!
foodtasticmom says
So much better than take out. Thanks Andre!
Emma says
These look delicious. A really healthy ratio of meat to sauce 😀 I love mine nice and sticky!
foodtasticmom says
Me too – thank you!
Noel Lizotte says
Tailgate season means wings! I love crispy wings … soggy just isn’t cutting it in my book. Thanks for the trick with the Baking Powder. That is going to make a difference in my prep.
foodtasticmom says
Nope, soggy wings are the worst! Thank you!
Caitlyn Erhardt says
YUM! We love chicken wings and buffalo style sauce is my husband’s fav! Can’t wait to give these a try on a game day! Thanks for the recipe!
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome. I hope you like them!
Heidy says
Awesome tip, I have heard of using Arrow Root but never baking powder. I’m definitely going to try this tip!!
foodtasticmom says
I hope you do! Thanks!
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon says
It’s amazing what baking powder can do! I’m all over this crispy wings, especially if I can cook them from frozen. How easy is that? And I love the sauce! Yum.
foodtasticmom says
It really is amazing! Thank you.
Amy | The Cook Report says
I love how easy they are and they look incredibly crispy too!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Amy!