Crispy, Spicy, and Totally Crowd-Pleasing—Made Clean and Easy at Home

When it comes to game day, party nights, or even just a crave-worthy Friday dinner, buffalo chicken wings are the move. This buffalo chicken wings recipe gives you all the flavor you love—crispy skin, tangy heat, finger-licking sauce—without the deep fryer or sketchy ingredients.

I started making these at home when I was tired of takeout wings that felt greasy and left me feeling heavy. This version is oven-baked (or air-fried!) for that crispy bite and tossed in a clean, bold buffalo sauce that’s just the right amount of spicy.

They’re perfect for parties, snacks, or dinner when you want something fun that still fits your clean-eating groove.

Ingredients

For the Wings:

• 2 lbs chicken wings (drumettes and flats)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free, not baking soda)

For the Buffalo Sauce:

• ⅓ cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)

• 2 tablespoons melted ghee or butter

• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

• Optional: pinch of garlic powder or cayenne for extra heat

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil and place a wire rack on top (helps with crispiness).

2. Prep the Wings: Pat wings dry with paper towels—this step is key! Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and baking powder until evenly coated.

3. Bake: Arrange wings in a single layer on the rack. Bake for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.

4. Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt ghee or butter. Whisk in hot sauce, vinegar, and any extra seasoning. Simmer on low for 2–3 minutes.

5. Toss & Serve: Once wings are done, toss in a large bowl with the buffalo sauce until well coated. Serve hot with celery sticks and your favorite clean ranch or Greek yogurt dip.

Sarah’s Wing Tips

• Dry = Crispy: The drier the wings before baking, the crispier they’ll get.

• No Wire Rack? Bake directly on parchment, flipping halfway and broiling the last 2–3 minutes.

• Air Fryer Option: Cook at 400°F for 20–22 minutes, shaking halfway through.

• Make It Mild: Add a little honey or extra ghee to the sauce to tone down the heat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These wings are crispy, spicy, and full of bold flavor—without needing a deep fryer or a bottle of mystery sauce. They’re clean, satisfying, and made for sharing (or not—we won’t judge).

Perfect for parties, weekend dinners, or anytime you want something a little spicy, a little saucy, and totally delicious.

Nutrition (Per Serving – serves 4):
Calories: 390
Protein: 32g
Fat: 27g
Carbs: 3g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 1g