This honey Buffalo wings recipe is my go-to when I want something crispy, sweet, and spicy–without the hassle of hot oil. My air fryer gives these flour-coated chicken wings a super crunchy finish, and my homemade 3-ingredient honey buffalo sauce coats every nook and cranny. This recipe hits all the right sweet and spicy notes for game day or weeknights, and it’s ready in 25 minutes!
Honey Buffalo Chicken Wings
My classic Buffalo wings recipe just got a makeover! Air-frying chicken wings is a great way to save time without sacrificing crispy skin. The magic comes from my quick homemade honey Buffalo wing sauce, which balances tangy heat with just enough sweetness.
I keep the method simple: pat the wings really dry, toss them with a light flour coating, and let the air fryer handle the crisping. In under 25 minutes you’ve got honey Buffalo chicken wings with minimal cleanup! It’s an easy win for new cooks and busy families.
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Don’t End Up with Soggy Wings!
Pat the wings dry for maximum crispness. Moisture is the biggest enemy of crisp air-fried wings. So even if the wings look “dry” from the package, they still carry surface moisture that prevents browning. Patting them very dry with paper towels before tossing them in flour helps the coating stick better and lets the hot air circulate around the skin for that ultra-crisp finish–no extra oil or steps needed.
Air Fryer Honey Buffalo Wings Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
For the Chicken Wings:
- 1 pound bone-in, skin-on chicken wing portions (thawed if frozen)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Honey Buffalo Sauce:
- ½ cup Frank's RedHot Sauce (or another hot sauce)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
For the Chicken Wings:
- Add the chicken wing portions, flour, garlic powder, and salt to a large bowl and toss to combine.1 pound bone-in, skin-on chicken wing portions , ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray (or brush it with olive oil) and add the chicken wings in a single layer. Try not to overcrowd the basket or they won’t get crispy.
- Spray the top of the wings with olive oil spray and cook for 8 minutes at 400°F.
- Flip over the chicken wings and cook for an additional 8 minutes.
- Remove the wings from the air fryer and set them aside while you make the sauce.
For the Honey Buffalo Sauce:
- In a small microwave safe bowl, combine the hot sauce, honey, and butter.½ cup Frank's RedHot Sauce, ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Microwave on high for 1 minute. Whisk to combine. If the butter is not fully melted, heat for an additional 30 seconds.
- Pour the sauce over the wings and serve immediately.
Notes
- Pat the chicken wings dry before seasoning to help the seasonings stick better and the skin crisp up.
- Make sure to preheat your air fryer to kickstart cooking for the crispiest wings.
- Always cook chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer for even cooking and crispy results.
- Don’t overcrowd the wings. Air flow is necessary for crisp skin. Cook in batches if needed.
- Don’t forget to flip the wings halfway through cooking for even browning.
- Shake and rotate the basket if you notice some areas browning faster than others.
- Prepare the honey buffalo sauce while the wings cook, so you can toss them while they’re still hot for maximum flavor.
- You can cook the honey buffalo sauce over medium-low heat on the stovetop if you prefer.
- Wings are safest and juiciest when they reach 165°F-175°F internally.
- Reheat wings in a 350°F air fryer for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway.
Note: Water, salt, pepper, oil, and broth are not counted as ingredients on this site.
Honey Buffalo Wing Sauce
I love the sweet-and-spicy balance of this 3-ingredient honey Buffalo sauce. I mix my favorite hot sauce with real honey and butter to create a glossy coating for these crispy air fryer wings.
To keep the flavor consistent every time, I always recommend tasting and adjusting your honey-to-hot-sauce ratio before saucing the wings. Different hot sauces vary in heat and saltiness, so a quick taste helps you dial in a balanced honey Buffalo wing sauce that matches your personal heat tolerance.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Store honey buffalo wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. The wings will stay crispiest if stored un-sauced. Reheat wings in a 350°F air fryer for 4-6 minutes; or in a 375°F oven for 10-12 minutes. If frozen, thaw before reheating for best results. If stored separately, reheat the sauce in the microwave or on the stovetop, then toss and serve.
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