Crispy baked buffalo chicken wings are the perfect crowd-pleasing wing recipe for game day or any day of the week! These wings are perfectly crispy, without any traditional frying, Whole30 compliant, Paleo friendly, and naturally gluten free. Just a few simple ingredients is all you need to whip up a batch!

Deliciously Crispy Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Wings

There is just something about a hot and crispy buffalo wing that is irresistible. Wings that are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in tangy, spicy buffalo sauce are always an absolute winner.

These buffalo chicken wings are all of that and more because they are made with a few simple ingredients (that you probably already have!) and perfectly crispy without being fried.

If you have never tried baking your chicken wings you might be a little skeptical about the oven’s ability to get your wings to the right level of crispy. I hear you. I was a little skeptical myself before I gave it a try a few years ago.

Watch How to Make This Recipe

Now, I can confidently say that if you have not tried baking your wings in the oven, you are missing out on some of the most delicious crispy wings. Trust me, the oven does a great jobe of getting just the right amount of crisp on chicken wings.  Plus, you can enjoy them without deep frying which makes them a much healthier option.

Have an air fryer? You can make a batch of crispy buffalo wings in everyone’s new favorite kitchen appliance, too!

These wings are delicious and also Paleo friendly, Whole30 compliant (just use compliant ingredients!), naturally gluten free, and keto friendly. Keep reading to learn more about how to make the best buffalo chicken wings!

What Tools Will I Need to Make Perfect Wings?

buffalo wing ingredients

Let’s Talk Buffalo Wing Ingredients

Chicken Wings: This recipe uses “party” wings which are also sometimes referred to as “split” chicken wings. The wing is separated into two parts. These kinds of wings are what most people think of when they hear buffalo wings.

Avocado, Coconut Oil, or Ghee: All you need is one tablespoon of cooking fat and either of these will work. Just be sure to avoid olive oil. It has a lower smoke point and is not the best choice for this recipe.

Spices: This recipe keeps it simple and uses only salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Spices you probably already have on hand.

Baking Powder: I’ve made these wings both with and without baking powder and both versions turn out great. But, if you want a little extra crispiness, I recommend adding a little baking powder does the trick!

Buffalo Sauce: You can make your own buffalo sauce or buy your favorite to drizzle over all your crispy wings!

split wings on sheet pan

How to Make Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

Step One: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Step Two: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and then add them to a large mixing bowl. Add the avocado oil, baking powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt to the wings and toss until well coated. 

Step Three: Place the seasoned chicken wings on a baking sheet in a single layer but not touching. Bake the wings for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and the skin is crispy, flipping halfway through.

Step Four: While the wings are baking, heat the buffalo sauce in a small saucepan over low heat.

Step Five: Once the wings are done cooking, transfer them to a large mixing bowl and pour the warm buffalo sauce over the wing. Toss until well coated. 

Step Six: Transfer the wings to a serving platter, garnish with thinly sliced green onion and serve with ranch, celery, and carrots.

cooked wings being tossed in buffalo sauce

Can You Cook Buffalo Chicken Wings In the Air Fryer?

Have an air fryer and want to use that to make your wings instead? The good news is that you can absolutely make these buffalo chicken wings in the air fryer! We were recently gifted this air fryer and it has become one of my favorite ways to make wings. They get nice and crispy in around twenty minutes.

To make these wings in the air fryer, just toss them in the oil and seasonings until well coated. Then transfer the wings to the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

You can give the wings a shake or flip them halfway through to ensure that they cook evenly. After the wings are finished cooking, toss them in the warm buffalo sauce and enjoy!

A Couple of Air Fryer Method Notes:

  • Depending on the size of your air fryer and the amount of chicken you are cooking, you may need to make this recipe in two batches.

  • If you are trying to cut down on the amount of oil you are using, you can use a half a tablespoon of oil for this recipe instead of the full tablespoon. I would still use a little bit of oil to ensure ultimate crispy-ness but chicken wings have a lot of natural fat so using a little less oil will still work!

How Do You Reheat Buffalo Wings?

Can’t eat all your buffalo wings at once? No worries! These are so easy to reheat and eat again.

  • Air Fryer: If you have an air fryer, you can easily pop a few wings back into the air fryer to reheat. If your air fryer has a ‘reheat’ function you can use that or just air fry them again at 400 degrees for a few minutes until heated through.
  • Oven: Another great way to reheat buffalo wings is in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees then place the wings on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Pop them in the oven and heat for a few minutes until hot and crispy. Once your wings are reheated you can toss them in a little more buffalo sauce if you prefer.

I have found that the absolute worst way to reheat wings is in the microwave. They just do not have the same crispy-ness that you will get from an oven, air fryer, or toaster oven.

crispy baked buffalo wings on platter

How Do I Make Sure My Wings Are Whole30 Compliant?

Because these chicken wings are made with minimal ingredients, they are easy to make Whole30 compliant and perfect to enjoy if you are completing a round. They are a great “fun food” option when you are starting to feel burnt out or just want to switch things up a bit.

Here are a few tips to ensuring your wings are Whole30 compliant:

  • Use a Whole30 compliant cooking oil. Avocado oil, coconut oil, or ghee are your best choices.

  • Toss the wings in a Whole30 compliant buffalo sauce. You can make your own buffalo sauce but there are also some great options that you can likely find in your local grocery store. Be sure to check the labels and avoid common ingredients like dairy and sugar.

  • Make sure your dip is Whole30 compliant. Traditional blue cheese is out if you are doing a round of Whole30. Don’t worry though you can make your own ranch dressing or find a Whole30 compliant brand at your local grocery store.

More Delicious Chicken Wings You Have to Try

crispy baked buffalo wing in dip

I hope you give this Crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings a try! They are the perfect crowd-pleasing wing recipe for game day or any day of the week. They’re crispy and delicious without any deep frying and you they’re Whole30 friendly if you use a compliant buffalo sauce. Make this easy recipe for your next party or wing night!

If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love.

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Whole30 Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 13 reviews
  • Author: Ashlea Carver
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Crispy baked buffalo chicken wings are the perfect crowd-pleasing wing recipe for game day or any day of the week! These wings are perfectly crispy, without any traditional frying, Whole30 compliant, Paleo friendly, and naturally gluten free. Just a few simple ingredients is all you need to whip up a batch!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds split chicken wings
  • 1/2 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt 
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
  • sliced green onion, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and then add them to a large mixing bowl. Add the avocado oil, baking powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt to the wings and toss until well coated. 
  3. Place the seasoned chicken wings on a baking sheet in a single layer but not touching. Bake the wings for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and the skin is crispy, flipping halfway through.
  4. While the wings are baking, heat the buffalo sauce in a small saucepan over low heat.
  5. Once the wings are done cooking, transfer them to a large mixing bowl and pour the warm buffalo sauce over the wing. Toss until well coated. 
  6. Transfer the wings to a serving platter, garnish with thinly sliced green onion and serve with ranch, celery, and carrots.

Recipe by: Ashlea Carver / All the Healthy Things | Photography by: Eat Love Eats

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22 Comments

  1. Heather Whitley says:

    New go to recipe for wings! So easy & so delicious!!!






  2. Made these for Super Bowl and they are delicious and so easy! My new go to wing recipe.






  3. Elina Brooks says:

    It was interesting to learn that it is recommended to avoid olive oil when cooking buffalo wings since it has a lower smoke point compared to avocado, coconut oil, or ghee. I wanted to have buffalo wings for dinner later, so I might stop by a pub that sells them with a friend later. I’ll keep what you said in mind while I look for a good restaurant with delicious buffalo wings nearby.






  4. I will be making these tonight, although I’ll have to use something other than baking powder, as it is not Whole30 compliant. Baking powder has cornstarch in it.






    1. Ashlea Carver says:

      Hi Caroline! The baking powder is optional so feel free to leave it out if you prefer. Hope you love the wings!

  5. So good! I am always weary about making chicken wings (can they ever be as good as take out? Will they cook through?) these were amazing! Will make again!






  6. I love these wings! The recipe is super easy and makes for a quick weeknight meal the whole family loves.






  7. I was looking for a great tasting recipe that was also Whole 30, and this is perfect. Not only did the grownups love it, but it got two enthusiastic thumbs up from our teenage son who loves wings (and who could care less whether they are Whole 30). Thank you!






    1. Natalie Perkins (ATHT) says:

      Haha! You’re so welcome! I’m so glad everyone loved the recipe, Kristen! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

  8. This recipe was fantastic! Paired it with roasted cauliflower and garlic mashed potatoes. The whole family loved it.






    1. Natalie Perkins (ATHT) says:

      That sounds good, AZ! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!

  9. What is your recipe for Buffalo Sauce?

    1. Ashlea Carver says:

      Hi, Luci! I don’t have a recipe for buffalo sauce. I’d recommend picking your favorite sauce and using that. Hope you love the recipe!

  10. Stasha Rosen says:

    Great flavors in this recipe! However, one issue I ran into is that my wings were cold, so the ghee I added clumped up and solidified very quickly. I’ll bet the same thing would happen with coconut oil, so I’d probably recommend using the avocado oil instead!






  11. Emily Gregg says:

    Love love loved this recipe! This was my first time making wings at home and it was pretty simple! I let my wings sit in salt water brine for about 5 hours leading up, and I confess my sauce was not Whole30 compliant (butter + Frank’s Red Hot) but following Ash’s method for the wings themselves produced restaurant quality wings. My husband was VERY impressed. I did half in the oven and half in the air fryer and honestly couldn’t tell much difference – all of them were delicious!






    1. Ashlea Carver says:

      I’m so glad you loved the recipe, Emily! Thanks for sharing your tips with us!

  12. Delicious and simple meal – easy weeknight meal with side of raw veggies and ranch!






    1. Ashlea Carver says:

      So glad you love them!

  13. Best and only chicken wings I ever make! If you haven’t tried them….what are you waiting for!! So good!






    1. Ashlea Carver says:

      Thanks for sharing, Kathy!

  14. Very good, and easy. Marinated 2 lbs, free range chicken wings for 12 hours. Air fried for 25 minutes. Delicious. Dipped into Frank’s Hot Sauce.






  15. Kristina Durkin says:

    We made these and your Crispy Lemon Garlic Wings for “wings two ways” and they were both SO good and so simple. We didn’t have compliant buffalo sauce in the house so we just used ghee+compliant hot sauce (Franks Red Hot) and they came out great.