Introduction
Buffalo Chicken Wings are the ultimate party food, born in Buffalo, New York, in the 1960s, and they’ve since become a worldwide favorite. These crispy, juicy chicken wings are tossed in a buttery hot sauce that delivers just the right amount of heat, making them irresistible. Paired with a cool, creamy blue cheese dip, they strike a perfect balance of spicy and tangy flavors.
Whether served at game-day gatherings, parties, or as a satisfying snack, Buffalo wings are not just food—they’re a tradition. They bring people together and embody that messy, finger-licking joy of eating comfort food at its finest.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it captures everything I crave in comfort food—crispy chicken skin, spicy sauce, and a refreshing dip. The wings are baked (or fried, if you prefer) to golden perfection, then coated in a homemade buffalo sauce that’s buttery, tangy, and spicy all at once. The blue cheese dip cools down the heat, while also adding a rich, creamy bite that makes each mouthful complete.
This recipe also gives you flexibility—you can bake, fry, or air-fry the wings, and adjust the heat level in the sauce to suit your taste. It’s a recipe I keep coming back to because it never fails to impress.
Why It’s a Must-Try Dish
- A classic American bar food turned homemade favorite.
- Perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and creamy.
- Versatile cooking methods—baked, fried, or air-fried.
- Great for game day, parties, or weeknight cravings.
- Crowd-pleaser that never goes out of style.
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 35–40 minutes (baking) or 12–15 minutes (frying)
- Total Time: 50–55 minutes
Servings & Nutrition
- Servings: 4 (as appetizer)
- Calories (per serving): ~430–480 kcal (with dip)
- Course: Appetizer / Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Chicken Wings:
- 2 lbs (about 1 kg) chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Buffalo Sauce:
- ½ cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for slight sweetness)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Blue Cheese Dip:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or vinegar)
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Preparation Method
- Prepare the Chicken Wings:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment and place a wire rack on top.
- Pat wings dry with paper towels (crucial for crispiness).
- Toss wings with oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Bake the Wings:
- Arrange wings in a single layer on the rack.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden brown.
(Alternative: Fry at 350°F / 175°C for 12–15 minutes, or air-fry at 375°F / 190°C for 18–20 minutes.)
- Make the Buffalo Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
- Stir in hot sauce, honey (if using), and garlic powder.
- Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Make the Blue Cheese Dip:
- In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled blue cheese, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Mix until smooth but still slightly chunky from the cheese.
- Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Coat the Wings:
- Place hot wings in a large bowl.
- Pour Buffalo sauce over and toss until fully coated.
How to Serve
- Serve wings hot, with a side of blue cheese dip.
- Add celery and carrot sticks for a classic touch.
- Provide plenty of napkins—it’s a finger-licking experience!
Recipe Tips
- Dry wings thoroughly before cooking for maximum crispiness.
- Use a wire rack when baking so air circulates around the wings.
- For extra-crispy baked wings, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon baking powder before baking.
- Toss wings in sauce just before serving to keep them crispy.
Variations
- Milder Wings: Use less hot sauce and more butter.
- Extra Spicy: Add cayenne pepper or hot chili flakes to the sauce.
- Garlic Parmesan Wings: Skip Buffalo sauce, toss baked wings in melted butter, garlic, and Parmesan.
- Sweet & Spicy Wings: Add honey or brown sugar to the sauce.
- Asian-Inspired Wings: Swap Buffalo sauce for a soy–ginger–chili glaze.
Freezing and Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftover wings (unsauced) up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in oven at 375°F until crispy.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked wings (unsauced) up to 2 months. Reheat in oven at 400°F until heated through and crispy.
- Buffalo sauce: Can be made ahead and stored in fridge up to 1 week.
Special Equipment Needed
- Baking sheet with wire rack (if baking)
- Large mixing bowl (for tossing wings)
- Saucepan (for Buffalo sauce)
- Fryer or air fryer (optional for alternate cooking)
Conclusion
Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip are a timeless appetizer that never fails to impress. With crispy chicken, fiery sauce, and a cooling dip, every bite is pure satisfaction. This recipe is easy, customizable, and perfect for any gathering, whether it’s a game-day spread, family dinner, or weekend snack.
If you’re looking for a dish that’s messy, fun, and downright addictive, these Buffalo wings are a must-try.
Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip
Description
Buffalo Chicken Wings are the ultimate party food, born in Buffalo, New York, in the 1960s, and they’ve since become a worldwide favorite. These crispy, juicy chicken wings are tossed in a buttery hot sauce that delivers just the right amount of heat, making them irresistible.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Wings:
For the Buffalo Sauce:
For the Blue Cheese Dip:
Instructions
-
Prepare the Chicken Wings: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment and place a wire rack on top. Pat wings dry with paper towels (crucial for crispiness). Toss wings with oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
-
Bake the Wings: Arrange wings in a single layer on the rack. Bake for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden brown.
-
(Alternative: Fry at 350°F / 175°C for 12–15 minutes, or air-fry at 375°F / 190°C for 18–20 minutes.)
-
Make the Buffalo Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in hot sauce, honey (if using), and garlic powder. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.
-
Make the Blue Cheese Dip: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled blue cheese, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth but still slightly chunky from the cheese. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
-
Coat the Wings: Place hot wings in a large bowl. Pour Buffalo sauce over and toss until fully coated.
