Irresistible Slow Cooker Buffalo Wings Recipe for Game Day

Buffalo wings have been a game-changing favorite for many slow cooker enthusiasts seeking mouthwatering comfort food.

Crispy and tender meat falls right off the bone with minimal effort.

Zesty spices create an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen with excitement.

Minimal preparation means maximum flavor without standing over a hot stove for hours.

Chicken becomes incredibly juicy when cooked slowly with classic buffalo sauce and subtle seasonings.

Weekend gatherings will never be the same once you master this simple yet delectable recipe.

You’ll want to bookmark this crowd-pleasing dish that delivers restaurant-quality wings straight from your kitchen.

Why Buffalo Wings Recipe Is A Game Day Favorite

• Minimal Prep Magic: Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its culinary charm without constant monitoring, perfect for busy home cooks craving delicious results.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Packed with zesty buffalo sauce and perfectly seasoned, these wings deliver restaurant-quality taste that will have everyone asking for seconds.
• Versatile Party Hero: Whether it's game day, family gathering, or casual weekend meal, these wings are the ultimate crowd-pleaser that adapts to any social occasion with delicious ease.

What Goes Into Buffalo Wings Recipe For The Slow Cooker

• Chicken Wings: Fresh poultry pieces perfect for creating a classic buffalo wing dish.
• Buffalo Sauce: Spicy and tangy sauce that gives the wings their signature flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps blend the sauce ingredients smoothly.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika: Spices that add depth and complexity to the wing flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the wings.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a subtle tangy note to the buffalo sauce.
• Green Onions or Parsley: Optional garnish that provides a fresh touch to the dish.
• Blue Cheese Dressing, Celery Sticks: Classic accompaniments that complement the spicy wings.

How To Make Buffalo Wings Recipe Crispy And Delicious

Step 1: Prep Those Juicy Wings

Rinse the chicken wings under cool running water and thoroughly dry them with paper towels. Separate the wing sections if you prefer easier handling during eating.

Step 2: Whip Up Spicy Buffalo Sauce

• Buffalo sauce
• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together until well combined and heated through. Remove from heat after a couple minutes.

Step 3: Sauce Those Wings

Transfer chicken wings into the slow cooker. Pour the zesty buffalo sauce over the wings, ensuring every piece gets a delicious coating.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

• Low setting: 4-5 hours
• High setting: 2-3 hours

Wings should emerge tender and fully cooked.

Step 5: Create Crispy Exterior

For extra crunch, activate your oven’s broiler. Transfer wings from slow cooker to a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil on high for 4-5 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Garnish wings with fresh chopped green onions or parsley. Plate with crisp celery sticks and creamy blue cheese dressing for dipping. Devour your mouthwatering buffalo wings!

Tips To Get The Most From Buffalo Wings Recipe

• Dry Wings Thoroughly: Ensure chicken wings are completely dry before cooking to achieve maximum crispiness and help sauce adhere better.
• Balance Sauce Heat: Adjust buffalo sauce quantity based on personal spice tolerance, mixing mild and hot sauces for customized flavor profile.
• Prevent Soggy Texture: Line slow cooker with paper towels or use a rack to elevate wings, allowing excess moisture to drain and maintain crisp exterior.
• Broiling Technique: Watch wings carefully during final broiling stage to prevent burning, rotating baking sheet for even browning and consistent crispness.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace traditional buffalo sauce with gluten-free alternatives and use certified gluten-free ingredients to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Tasty Spins On Buffalo Wings Recipe To Try

• Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings: Replace slow cooker method by arranging wings on baking sheet, brushing with sauce, and baking at 425°F for 45 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free hot sauce and replace regular butter with clarified butter or ghee to ensure sauce remains compatible with gluten-sensitive diets.
• Spicy Caribbean Style: Swap buffalo sauce with jerk seasoning, add rum extract, and incorporate scotch bonnet peppers for an intense Caribbean-inspired wing experience with tropical heat.
• Asian Fusion Wings: Substitute buffalo sauce with sriracha, honey, soy sauce, and ginger for an umami-rich alternative that delivers sweet, tangy, and spicy flavor profile perfect for adventurous eaters.

Top Pairings With Buffalo Wings Recipe

• Sip and Savor Beer Pairing: Light, crisp craft beers like pale ales or wheat beers perfectly balance the spicy buffalo sauce, cutting through the heat while complementing the wings' rich flavor.
• Creamy Dip Delight: Whip up a homemade blue cheese or ranch dressing with fresh herbs and buttermilk to cool down the wing's fiery kick and add a tangy counterpoint to the buffalo sauce.
• Crunch Companion: Serve alongside fresh, crisp celery and carrot sticks to provide a refreshing vegetable contrast that cleanses the palate between each spicy, saucy wing bite.
• Cooling Cocktail Twist: Mix a classic margarita with a splash of lime juice and a touch of agave nectar to neutralize the buffalo sauce's heat while offering a bright, citrusy complement to the chicken.

How To Store Buffalo Wings Recipe After Cooking

• Store leftover wings in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odor transfer.
• Wrap wings individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Remove excess air and seal. Frozen wings stay good for up to 3 months. Label the bag with the date for easy tracking.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Uncover for the last 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness.

All You Need To Know About Buffalo Wings Recipe

• Are buffalo wings spicy?

Buffalo wings can be mildly to very spicy depending on the type of hot sauce used. You can adjust the heat level by choosing a milder or more intense buffalo sauce.

• Can I make buffalo wings without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can make buffalo wings in an oven or air fryer. The cooking method will slightly change, but the basic sauce and preparation remain similar.

• Is buffalo sauce the same as hot sauce?

Buffalo sauce is typically a combination of hot sauce and butter, creating a richer and slightly creamier flavor compared to standard hot sauce. Traditional buffalo sauce originates from Buffalo, New York.

• Do I need special equipment to make these wings?

You’ll need a slow cooker and optionally a baking sheet with a broiler. Most home kitchens already have these basic tools, making this recipe accessible for most home cooks.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Wings Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (including cooking and optional broiling)
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Spicy buffalo wings dance with flavor in this effortless slow cooker recipe. Crispy, tangy chicken wings deliver irresistible comfort you’ll crave at every game day gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Protein:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) chicken wings

Buffalo Sauce Components:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buffalo sauce
• 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Garnish and Serving:

• Chopped green onions, for garnish
• Chopped parsley, for garnish
• Celery sticks
• Blue cheese dressing

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly rinse chicken wings under cold water, then meticulously dry with paper towels. Optionally separate flats and drumettes for easier consumption.
2. Create buffalo sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat (around 165°F). Incorporate buffalo sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk ingredients until seamlessly blended and heated through for approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. Transfer wings into slow cooker, ensuring complete and uniform coating with prepared buffalo sauce mixture. Gently toss to guarantee even distribution of flavors.
4. Cover slow cooker and initiate cooking process. Select low temperature setting for 4-5 hours or high temperature setting for 2-3 hours. Verify wings are thoroughly cooked and tender.
5. For enhanced texture, activate oven broiler at high setting (500°F). Carefully transfer wings from slow cooker to foil-lined baking sheet. Broil for 4-5 minutes, monitoring closely to achieve golden-brown crispiness without charring.
6. Elevate presentation by garnishing with freshly chopped green onions or parsley. Accompany wings with crisp celery sticks and chilled blue cheese dressing for dipping. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the robust flavors.

Notes

• Drying wings thoroughly ensures maximum crispiness and helps sauce adhere better.
• Separating wing sections creates more surface area for sauce and easier eating experience.
• Adjust buffalo sauce heat level by mixing different hot sauce brands or adding cayenne pepper for extra kick.
• For healthier version, use Greek yogurt instead of butter and opt for low-sodium hot sauce to reduce calories.
• Line slow cooker with parchment paper for easier cleanup and preventing wing sticking.
• If avoiding gluten, choose certified gluten-free hot sauce and verify ingredient compatibility.
• Enhance flavor by marinating wings overnight in sauce before slow cooking for deeper taste penetration.
• Freezing wings before cooking can help achieve crispier exterior when broiled after slow cooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg