Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

How do you make Buffalo chicken wings from scratch?

Making Buffalo wings at home is easier than you might think. The process breaks down into three simple steps:

1. Coat the wings – Toss the wings in a seasoned flour mixture. I use just a bit of salt and paprika to keep things simple. This step takes about 5 minutes.
2. Cook the wings – You can either bake them or deep-fry them. Both methods are explained in the recipe card below, so choose the one that suits your time, mood or party setup.
3. Make the Buffalo sauce – My Buffalo sauce is as simple as it gets: just hot sauce and butter. Simmer the hot sauce first (for about 2–3 minutes over medium heat), then remove from the heat and stir in the butter.

Baked vs. Fried: What’s the real difference?

Let’s break it down:

• Oven-baked Buffalo wings: Juicier inside, beautifully colored skin, lighter overall.
• Deep-fried Buffalo wings: Crispier outside, classic flavor, heavier texture.

Taste-wise, the difference is mostly about texture. The meat itself stays flavorful either way. Personally, I lean toward the oven-baked version, but both are solid choices.

How to get crispy wings in the oven

If you want crispy skin, plan to bake them for 45 to 50 minutes. In this recipe, I usually bake mine for about 30 minutes because I prefer a juicier bite. But if crunch is what you’re after, just extend the bake time a bit.

What to serve with Buffalo wings?

• Dips: Blue cheese, Ranch
• Veggies: Celery sticks
• Fried sides: Onion rings, fries
• Creamy options: Coleslaw, potato salad
• Bread: A few slices of fresh French baguette are always a good idea, especially for guests who want to balance the heat with something mild.

A quick look at where Buffalo wings come from

Buffalo wings were first made in 1964 at Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, by Teresa Bellissimo. There are other origin stories floating around, but this one’s the most widely accepted. If you’re curious, you can read more here.

Julia’s tips

• Don’t skip the simmer step when making the sauce. Allowing the hot sauce to cook briefly before adding butter is key to achieving a smooth texture.
• Cooking time depends on your method. Deep-frying takes about 10 minutes (less if you can fry all at once), while baking takes around 30–50 minutes, depending on your texture preference.
• Use your favorite sauce combo if you have one. I keep it simple, but feel free to experiment.

Storage and reheating

Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the oven to bring back some crispness. Microwaving works too, but it will soften the skin.