Buffalo Chicken Wings

Ingredients

• 4 lbs chicken wings, cut into wingettes and drumettes

• 5 teaspoons baking powder (not baking soda)

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• Optional: garlic powder, paprika, black pepper for additional seasoning

• Cooking spray or oil for the rack

Directions

• Dry the Wings: Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels. For best results, leave them uncovered in the refrigerator for a few hours to dry out.

• Seasoning: Mix baking powder, salt, and any other desired seasonings (like garlic powder or paprika). Toss the wings in this mixture to coat them evenly.

• Prepare the Oven and Rack: Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

• Initial Bake: Place the wings on the rack in a single layer, skin side up. Bake on the lower middle oven rack for 30 minutes.

• Crisp the Wings: Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and move the wings to the upper middle rack. Bake for an additional 40-50 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through, until the wings are golden brown and crispy.

• Rest and Serve: Let the wings rest for 5 minutes before serving. Toss them in your favorite sauce or serve it on the side.

Air Fryer Instructions

• Dry and season wings. 

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes.

• Place the seasoned wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook in batches if they don't all fit at once.

• Cook the wings at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crispiness. If you prefer extra crispy wings, increase the temperature to 430°F and cook for an additional 2-5 minutes.

Tips

• Air Drying: Ensuring the wings are thoroughly dry before baking is crucial for crispiness.

• Rack Placement: Using a wire rack allows the heat to circulate around the wings, promoting even cooking and crispiness.

• Baking Powder: Make sure to use baking powder and not baking soda, as the latter will leave an unpleasant taste.

Sauce Suggestions

• Buffalo Sauce: Combine 1/3 cup Frank's RedHot Sauce, 1/4 cup melted butter, and 1 tablespoon honey for a classic buffalo flavor.

• Kinder brand Buffalo Sauce is also a great choice!

• Honey Garlic: Mix 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon minced garlic for a sweet and savory coating.