The Ultimate Baked Buffalo Wings (So Crispy & Juicy!)
Imagine a platter of the most incredible Buffalo wings, glistening with a spicy, buttery sauce, perfectly crispy on the outside, and unbelievably juicy and tender on the inside. Now, imagine you achieved this wing perfection without a single drop of splattering, messy deep-fryer oil. That, my friends, is the game-changing, undeniable magic of this Baked…
Imagine a platter of the most incredible Buffalo wings, glistening with a spicy, buttery sauce, perfectly crispy on the outside, and unbelievably juicy and tender on the inside. Now, imagine you achieved this wing perfection without a single drop of splattering, messy deep-fryer oil. That, my friends, is the game-changing, undeniable magic of this Baked Buffalo Wings recipe. This is, without a doubt, the only method you will ever need for perfect game day wings.
I promise you, there is no greater game day triumph than pulling these perfect, golden-brown wings from your oven. Paired with a cool, tangy, and lightened-up Blue Cheese-Yogurt Dip, it’s a truly restaurant-worthy experience. They are everything a great wing should be: saucy, spicy, crispy, and utterly addictive.
Get ready to master the art of the baked wing and create the undisputed MVP of your Super Bowl spread, a recipe so good, you’ll be making it for every gathering.
Why These Baked Wings are the Real MVP
You are going to be completely blown away by the flavor and texture of these oven-baked wings. This recipe is a true champion. Here’s why:
- A Genius Method for Ultimate Flavor: Simmering the wings in the sauce before baking infuses the meat with flavor from the inside out, making them unbelievably juicy and delicious.
- Incredibly Crispy Skin Without Frying: The two-step cook process ensures the skin renders and gets perfectly golden and crisp in the oven—no deep fryer needed!
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 1 hour |
| Total Time | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Servings | 6 servings |
| Calories | ~350 kcal per serving (estimated) |
| Course | Appetizer, Main Course |
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / Stovetop & Baking |
Your Shopping List for the Ultimate Game Day Spread
This recipe uses classic, powerhouse ingredients to build its incredible, authentic flavor.
→ For the Blue Cheese-Yogurt Dip
- ¾ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt → The secret to a light and tangy dip base.
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese → For that classic, pungent, funky flavor that’s essential with Buffalo wings.
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise → Adds a touch of richness and classic creaminess.
- 1 small clove garlic & Juice of ½ lemon → For a bright, fresh, and aromatic kick.
- 1 tablespoon skim milk or buttermilk → To thin the dip to the perfect consistency.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper → To taste.
→ For the Baked Buffalo Wings
- 3 pounds chicken wings → Split into drumettes and flats, with the tips removed.
- Aromatics: 4 stalks celery, 4 carrots, and 2 bay leaves for flavoring the sauce.
Let’s Get Cooking! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to make the best baked wings of your life? Let’s break down this simple, brilliant method.
Part 1: The Cool and Creamy Dip
- Combine and Pulse: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the Greek yogurt, crumbled blue cheese, mayonnaise, chopped garlic, milk, and lemon juice. Pulse a few times until the mixture is combined but still has some nice chunks of blue cheese.
- Season and Chill: Season the dip with salt and pepper to your taste. Transfer it to a small bowl, cover, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve. The flavors will get even better as it chills!
Part 2: The Flavor-Infusing Simmer
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Coat a large, rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Build the Simmering Liquid: In a deep skillet or Dutch oven, place the chicken wings. Add 3 pieces of the celery, 3 pieces of the carrot, the bay leaves, chicken broth, Frank’s RedHot sauce, paprika, butter, honey, and ½ cup of water.
- Simmer the Wings: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Let the wings simmer gently in the sauce for about 18 minutes, until they are almost cooked through. This step is infusing the meat with flavor!
Part 3: The Crispy Bake
- Transfer and Bake: Using tongs, transfer the simmered wings to your prepared baking sheet and arrange them in a single, even layer. Reserve the sauce left in the skillet. Bake the wings for 30 to 35 minutes, turning them over once halfway through, until the skin is beautifully golden brown and crisp.
- Reduce the Sauce: While the wings are baking, bring the reserved sauce in the skillet to a simmer over medium-low heat. Let it reduce and thicken slightly, about 15 minutes. Then, strain the sauce, discarding the cooked vegetables and bay leaves.
- Toss and Serve: Reserve about a quarter of the reduced sauce for dipping. Place the hot, crispy wings back into the skillet with the remaining sauce and toss to coat them in a final, glossy layer.
- Plate Your Masterpiece: Serve the wings immediately with the cool blue cheese dip, the extra reserved sauce, and the remaining fresh carrots and celery cut into sticks.
Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese Yogurt Dip
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Make the dip: Pulse the yogurt, blue cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, milk, and lemon juice in a food processor until combined but still chunky. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate.
- Make the wings: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
- In a deep skillet, combine the chicken wings, 3 pieces of celery, 3 pieces of carrot, bay leaves, chicken broth, hot sauce, paprika, butter, honey, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 18 minutes.
- Transfer the wings to the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, reserving the sauce in the skillet. Bake, turning once, until the skin is golden and crisp, 30 to 35 minutes.
- Meanwhile, simmer the reserved sauce over medium-low heat until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Strain the sauce, discarding the vegetables. Reserve one-quarter of this sauce for serving.
- Return the hot, crispy wings to the skillet and toss with the remaining three-quarters of the sauce.
- Serve the wings immediately with the blue cheese dip, reserved sauce, and fresh celery and carrot sticks.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Wing Perfection
These are the key secrets to making this unique recipe a massive success.
- The Simmer is the Secret. Don’t skip the initial simmering step! This is what makes these wings stand out. It not only partially cooks the chicken, ensuring it stays juicy, but it also infuses the meat itself with that amazing Buffalo flavor.
- A Single Layer is Crucial for Crispiness. When you bake the wings, they must be in a single, even layer on the baking sheet with a little space between each one. If they are piled up, they will steam instead of roast, and you’ll lose that crispy skin.
- Don’t Forget to Reduce the Sauce. Simmering the leftover sauce is a key step. It concentrates the flavor and thickens it into a perfect, glossy coating that will cling beautifully to the crispy wings.
- Save Some Sauce for Dipping! Reserving a bit of that clean, reduced sauce before you toss the wings is a pro move. It’s perfect for those who love their wings extra, extra saucy.
- Let the Dip Chill. Make the blue cheese dip first. Giving it at least 30 minutes (or more) in the fridge allows the flavors of the garlic, blue cheese, and lemon to meld and deepen, resulting in a much more flavorful dip.
Keep Them Fresh! Storing & Reheating Leftovers
These wings are definitely at their peak crispy-saucy perfection right out of the oven, but leftovers are still delicious!
- Refrigerator: Store any leftover wings and the dip in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
FAQs: Your Baked Buffalo Wing Questions, Answered!
Can I make these wings spicier or milder?
Absolutely! To make them spicier, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of your favorite extra-hot sauce to the simmering liquid. To make them milder, you can reduce the amount of Frank’s RedHot and replace it with more chicken broth, and add an extra tablespoon of butter or honey to balance it out.
Can I make the dip without a food processor?
Yes, you can. Just make sure your blue cheese is very finely crumbled and your garlic is minced as finely as possible. Then, you can simply whisk everything together vigorously in a bowl until it’s well combined.
What if I don’t have Frank’s RedHot sauce?
Frank’s RedHot Original is the classic, foundational flavor for Buffalo sauce due to its perfect balance of vinegar and mild heat. If you use a different, thicker hot sauce (like sriracha or Tabasco), you may need to adjust the quantities, as they are often much hotter and have a different flavor profile.
Can I do this with chicken drumsticks?
Yes, this method would be fantastic with chicken drumsticks! You will just need to adjust the cooking times. The initial simmer might take a few minutes longer, as will the baking time, to ensure they are cooked through to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Game Day Victory
There is nothing that says “game day” quite like a perfect platter of Buffalo wings. This recipe finally cracks the code on achieving that flawless, crispy-yet-saucy, deeply flavorful wing without the hassle and mess of a deep fryer. It’s a true crowd-pleaser and a guaranteed touchdown for your Super Bowl party. I hope this becomes your new go-to method for wing perfection. Enjoy the game!
