Spice up your next party with these Air Fryer Buffalo Wings! Crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, they're coated in a simple, spicy Buffalo sauce that packs big flavor.
Easy to make, these Air Fryer Buffalo Wings are perfect for game day or any casual gathering. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, like my cooling homemade ranch dressing, and watch them disappear! They're Whole30, low carb, and gluten-free with low FODMAP options (as long as spicy food doesn't bother you).
For more Buffalo wing inspired recipes, try my hearty Buffalo Chicken Wing Chili, or go for a spicy-yet-refreshing option with my Buffalo Chicken Salad. For maximum versatility, my Pulled Buffalo Chicken can be used in countless dishes, like my Buffalo Chicken Dip!
Featured Review
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"These wings were perfect! Easy, quick in the air fryer, and the sauce sticks beautifully. We'll definitely be making these again and again."
– Susan
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Buffalo Wings in the Air Fryer
If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know I love the air fryer—it's one of my favorite kitchen gadgets! No oven or deep fryer needed, it makes cooking wings simple, fast, and mess-free. Check out more of my air fryer recipes for inspiration.
If you've never tried Buffalo wings in the air fryer, you're in for a treat. These air fryer chicken wings come out crispy on the outside, perfectly juicy on the inside, and coated in delicious, spicy Buffalo flavor. They also fit a variety of diets, from Paleo to grain-free and even low FODMAP as long as you tolerate spicy food.
My Favorite Recipes include the Word "Buffalo"
My love for all things Buffalo started with my Buffalo chicken salad recipe, adapted for the air fryer. Last year, I created a Buffalo chicken chili recipe for the Instant Pot or slow cooker, combining the flavors of Chili con Canada with spicy Buffalo chicken—seriously mind-blowing! These Air Fryer Buffalo Wings are the latest addition to my "Buffalo love" collection, delivering crispy, spicy, and utterly delicious wings every time.
Equipment
Here's what I use to make these Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings crispy and delicious:
- Air fryer (I use an Instant Pot Vortex Plus 10-quart Air Fryer)
- Stovetop
- Paper towels
- 2 large bowls
- Small bowl
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Tongs
- Large plate
- Small saucepan
- Whisk(s)
- Small measuring cup or bowl
- Serving bowl or platter
- Instant read thermometer
Easy Air Fryer Buffalo Wings: Ingredients & Instructions
Chicken Wings
For this air fryer wings recipe, I use chicken wings separated into wingettes and drumettes—not full wings. Separated wings cook more evenly and fit better in the air fryer.
To start, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (205°C) for 10 minutes. If you're using the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 10-Quart Air Fryer, it preheats automatically, so you can skip this step.
Dry the wings with paper towels and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle with garlic-infused olive oil (for low FODMAP) or extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and toss with your hands (or tongs) to coat. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using EVOO), then toss again to evenly season.
Tapioca Flour Coating
Place tapioca flour in a small bowl. Dredge each wing in the flour—this helps the Buffalo sauce stick and gives the wings extra crispiness.
Preparing the Air Fryer
Spray the air fryer pan with your preferred cooking spray (I like avocado oil cooking spray). Arrange the wings in a single layer, leaving a little space between them so the air has a chance to circulate around them fully.
Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check the internal temperature of the thickest wing with an instant read thermometer—chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
Easy Buffalo Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop, whisk together:
- Hot sauce – I love Louisiana Hot Sauce, which I consider medium spicy; Tabasco Original Hot Sauce works if you prefer spicier. These sauces only contain low FODMAP ingredients and are Paleo and Whole30.
- Ghee or butter
- Coconut aminos (or tamari/soy sauce if not Paleo/Whole30). Use coconut aminos or tamari sauce if needing gluten-free wings.
Meanwhile, mix 1 teaspoon tapioca flour with 1 teaspoon cold water to make a slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the sauce and cook for 30-60 seconds, whisking constantly, until thickened and fully combined.
Toss Hot Wings in Buffalo Sauce and Serve
Add the cooked wings to a large bowl and pour the Buffalo sauce over them. Toss with tongs to coat evenly.
Serve your air fryer hot wings immediately with your favorite dipping sauce—like blue cheese or my homemade ranch dressing.
Related Recipes
Easy Air Fryer Buffalo Wings (Low FODMAP, Gluten-Free)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Crispy and spicy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, these Air Fryer Buffalo Wings are a guaranteed hit for parties or game day. Whole30, low carb, and gluten-free, with low FODMAP options (see notes). Packed with mouthwatering Buffalo flavor, they're perfect for anyone craving air fryer hot wings!
Ingredients
For the Air Fryer Wings:
- 2 pounds chicken wings, separated into wingettes and drumettes
- 1 tablespoon garlic-infused olive oil (for low FODMAP) or 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil + ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon tapioca flour
- Avocado oil cooking spray (or your preferred cooking spray)
For the Buffalo Sauce:
- ⅓ cup hot sauce (I like Louisiana Hot Sauce), well shaken
- 3 tablespoons ghee or butter
- ½ tablespoon coconut aminos (Paleo/Whole30), tamari sauce (gluten-free), or soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon tapioca flour
- 1 teaspoon cold water
Dipping Sauce:
- A half batch of my Homemade Ranch Dressing (or your preferred dipping sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
- Dry and Season Wings: While the air fryer preheats, pat the wing drumettes dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl. Add olive oil and toss with your hands or tongs to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper (and garlic powder if using it), then toss again to evenly season the wings.
- Dredge in Flour: Place ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon of tapioca flour in a small bowl. Dredge each wing evenly in the flour and place on a large plate. This helps your air fryer Buffalo chicken wings get extra crispy and keeps the sauce sticking.
- Air Fry Wings: Spray the air fryer pan with cooking spray. Arrange wings in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to cook them in two batches. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through with tongs. Minor sticking may occur—gently nudge the wing from the side to release it instead of pulling straight up, which can tear the skin.
- Make Buffalo Sauce: While wings cook, make the Buffalo sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop, whisk together hot sauce, ghee or butter, and coconut aminos (or alternatives) until combined. Heat just until the liquid begins to boil. In a small measuring cup or bowl, mix 1 teaspoon tapioca flour with 1 teaspoon cold water to make a slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the sauce, continuing to whisk for 30–60 seconds until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Check Temperature: Once the wings are done, use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the largest drumette. Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Coat Wings and Serve: Place the wings in a large bowl, pour the Buffalo sauce over them, and toss to coat evenly. Serve on a platter with your favorite dipping sauce, like homemade ranch.
Notes
Low FODMAP Tips
- Use garlic-infused olive oil instead of garlic powder to keep the buffalo wings low FODMAP.
- For a low FODMAP hot sauce, I love Louisiana Hot Sauce (medium spice) or Tabasco Original Hot Sauce (much spicier). Shake well before using, as the spices tend to settle.
- Dipping sauce: my low FODMAP ranch dressing recipe makes a delicious and cooling dipping sauce.
- Spicy food warning: The spicy ingredients in this recipe may trigger IBS symptoms for some people. Adjust the sauce or spice level as needed.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Disclaimer: This recipe is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or dietary advice. The author is not a medical professional. Nutrition info is an estimate and can vary depending on ingredients and preparation. We follow current guidelines for special diets like low FODMAP, Keto, and Paleo at the time of initial publication, but individual tolerance varies and research is always evolving. It’s up to each reader to check ingredient labels, stay informed with the latest research, and consult their doctor to make informed choices based on their individual needs. Storage times are general recommendations—always follow safe food handling practices. See our Terms of Use for more details.
Javier says
So good, my favorite for hockey nights
Gail Gromaski says
So glad you liked them, Javier! Thanks for your feedback!
Susan says
I'm on a low FODMAP and wheat free diet and was looking for some Saturday night snack recipes and came across these wings. OH WOW! They were PERFECT! Also very easy to prepare and quick in the air fryer! I didnt have tapioca flour so used potato starch instead...and it's true, the sauce really does stick so well to the wings when you use it! This will be a treat that we'll return to again and again. There is absolutely nothing to improve upon! 🙂
P.S. The wings were excellent with 'Honey's' low FODMAP Ranch Dressing!
Gail Gromaski says
Such amazing feedback, Susan! Thank you so much! And I'm glad the potato starch worked! I'll have to try that sometime!