How to Make Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings in the Oven

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Baked Buffalo wings are naturally high in protein and have fewer calories than their fried counterparts. But with the right method, you can get baked chicken wings just as crispy as any other way.

In this chicken wing tutorial we'll answer your burning questions like how long do you bake chicken wings? And what if the wings are frozen? Also, which is superior, drumsticks or flats? (Just kidding, you'll have to answer that one on your own.)

For perfectly crispy baked chicken wings, just follow the below tips. We've even included the essential tools needed for making wings along with a few baked chicken wing recipes to get you started.

Baking your wings doesn't require mountains of technical skill, but following basic rules is important. (For more, check out the best smart ovens and best toaster ovens we've tested).

1. Decide how many wings you need. Generally speaking, budgeting six to eight wings per person is wise, depending on what else is being served. A variety of sauces and dips will keep things interesting.

2. Make sure the wings are washed and patted completely dry. Preparing the wings beforehand is as important as anything to achieve crispy results, so don't skip the drying step.

3. To lock in moisture and also help the skin develop crispiness, most chefs encourage a light coating of baking powder and/or white flour.

4. If you're doing a dry rub like Cajun seasoning or jerk spices, apply to the wings before cooking. Otherwise, wings are tossed in a wet sauce afterward (but never before).

5. Place the wings in a single layer on a nonstick baking sheet. Feel free to line it with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, and place the wings on a wire rack set within the pan so the fat drips down (optional).

6. Bake the wings at 350 degrees for 1 hour, turning them over halfway through. This helps the skin crisp relatively quickly without drying out the inside.

7. For truly crispy skin, turn the oven up to 425-450 degrees during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking.

8. You can follow these same basic rules and processes to make frozen chicken wings crispy in the oven, too. Just make sure to pat them dry especially well before cooking, as ice may have formed on the skin.

9. Once cooked, it's saucin' time. There are a million and one sauce (and dip) recipes to try, from classic Buffalo with blue cheese to international flavors like soy, garlic, teriyaki, ginger and even curry.

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How to Make Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings in the Oven

Baked Buffalo wings are naturally high in protein and have fewer calories than their fried counterparts. But with the right method, you can get baked chicken wings just as crispy as any other way.