Classic Deep Fried Buffalo Wings

How to make traditional deep-fried buffalo wings at home! A restaurant favorite in the comfort of your kitchen.

These wings are crispy, juicy, and coated in a delicious buffalo sauce. They’re perfect for game day or any other special occasion You do this recipe in stages, so you can get most of the work out of the way early in the day and fry at the last minute.

parchment paper lined tray of fried hot wings.

Classic Deep Fried Buffalo Wings

Restaurant style deep fried buffalo wings made in the comfort of your home!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Serving Size 2 dozen wings

Equipment

  • Deep fryer or Dutch oven
  • saucepan
  • Paper Towels
  • Candy thermometer (I love this one for how easy it is to clean and reuse the oil)

Ingredients 

  • 24 chicken wings split into drumsticks and wingettes
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garllc powder
  • ¾ cup hot sauce Frank's or Texas Pete
  • ¾ cup butter

Instructions 

  • Prep the chicken. Make sure the wings are completely defrosted and pat them dry.
  • Make the seasoned flour and chill. In a large zip-top bag or mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well. Place the wings inside and shake until they are completely coated in four. Let them chill in the fridge for at least an hour. This helps the breading stick.
    bag of flour and chicken wings.
  • Fry. Heat oil to 375° using a deep fryer or deep pot with a candy thermometer. Place wings in the hot oil. They should not be crowded: let them float freely. Fry for 15 minutes, turning halfway through. Let the temperature come back up before frying the next batch.
    dutch oven with bubbling oil and thermometer.
  • Make the buffalo sauce. Combine the butter and hot sauce in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium low and stir until the butter in melted and the sauce is well combined. Toss the cooked wings into the buffalo sauce and serve immediately.
    melted buffalo sauce and finished wings.

Notes

Buffalo wings reheat very well, so make extra if you want leftovers.
Our favorite dipping sauce is simple homemade blue cheese: half mayo, half sour cream, with a splash of vinegar. Add as much blue cheese as you prefer, along with some salt and pepper.
This recipe will serve four as an appetizer or two as a main course.
Calories: 576kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 194mg | Sodium: 1257mg | Potassium: 499mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 497IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 3mg
finished fried wings in parchment

Don’t Want To Deep Fry?

These are my favorite Air Fryer Chicken Wings.

Classic Deep Fried Buffalo Wings Tips

  • Frozen chicken wings are a great deal at Costco. They come split into two pieces already, and they are flash frozen so you can pull just what you need out of the freezer.
  • You can deep fry in a Dutch Oven. Make sure you pour enough oil so that your food can float freely. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature of your oil. And be careful!
  • Be very careful deep frying! Never turn your back to the stove and keep little people out of the kitchen. A deep fryer is safer to use than a pot.
  • Use a large bowl to coat the wings evenly with the flour mixture. This helps ensure each piece is well covered.
  • Place the wings on a wire rack over a baking sheet after frying. This allows excess oil to drain off and keeps the wings crispy.
  • For even cooking, fry the wings in small batches. Crowding the large pot can lower the oil temperature and result in greasy wings.

Substitutions

  • If you’re out of garlic powder, you can substitute it with onion powder or a mix of both.
  • For a spicier kick, add cayenne pepper or red pepper to the flour mixture.
  • If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a bit of brown sugar to the buffalo sauce.

Serving Suggestions

  • Coconut shrimp go well with these because the deep fryer is already ready to go!
  • A salad or fresh fruit balances them out well.
  • Celery sticks and carrot sticks for a refreshing crunch.
  • A side of ranch dressing or blue cheese dip.
  • And there’s nothing wrong with a basket of homemade fries.

Additional Information

  • This recipe is perfect for game day or a Super Bowl party.
  • Adjust the seasoning to your taste. If you like your wings extra spicy, add more hot pepper sauce to the classic buffalo sauce.

FAQs

How do I get the crispiest wings?

For the crispiest skin, make sure your wings are patted dry before coating them in the flour mixture. Letting the wings chill in the fridge for at least an hour before frying helps the breading stick better. Also, ensure your oil temperature is at 375°F for the best results.

Can I use a different oil for frying?

Yes, you can use oils with a high smoke point like canola oil. We recommend peanut oil or vegetable oil for their neutral flavors. Avoid olive oil, as its flavor is too strong, and it smokes easily.

What’s the best way to reheat buffalo wings?

The best way to reheat deep-fried chicken wings is in an air fryer or convection oven. This keeps them crispy. You can toss them in more buffalo wing sauce after reheating them for added flavor.

How do I make blue cheese dressing?

A simple homemade blue cheese dressing can be made with half mayo, half sour cream, and a splash of vinegar. Add as much blue cheese as you prefer, along with some salt and pepper.

Storage Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They reheat best in an air fryer or convection oven. Toss them in more sauce after reheating. For the second time reheating, ensure they are in a single layer on a cookie sheet or cooling rack to maintain crispiness.

Deep-fried buffalo wings are a classic favorite that you can easily make at home. With the right preparation and attention to detail, you’ll achieve crispy, flavorful wings every time. Remember to keep your oil at the right temperature and use a reliable deep fryer or pot. Enjoy your wings with homemade blue cheese dressing and some fresh veggies on the side. This recipe is perfect for any gathering or simply as a delicious treat for yourself. Happy cooking!

finished wings with blue cheese.
picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is the first time I’ve made Buffalo wings and they were delicious!!! Easy to follow directions. I’ll definitely make these again. The ranch dressing was delicious too!!! Thanks for sharing your recipe.