Description
These slow cooker buffalo wings are tender, juicy, and packed with spicy, buttery flavor. Perfect for game day, parties, or a fuss-free dinner, this easy recipe delivers classic buffalo wing taste with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 pounds chicken wings, split at joints, tips removed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot recommended)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Celery sticks, for serving
- Carrot sticks, for serving (optional)
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for dipping
Instructions
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika over the wings. Toss until evenly coated.
- Layer wings in the slow cooker, arranging evenly and avoiding overcrowding.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together hot sauce, melted butter, honey (if using), apple cider vinegar, and onion powder until smooth.
- Pour buffalo sauce over the wings, ensuring all wings are coated. Stir gently if needed.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 2-2.5 hours, until wings are tender and meat pulls away from the bone easily.
- Optional: For crispy skin, preheat broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment. Transfer cooked wings to the sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden and slightly charred.
- Let wings rest for 5 minutes. Toss in extra buffalo sauce if desired.
- Serve wings on a platter with celery and carrot sticks, and your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Pat wings dry for best texture. Broil after slow cooking for crispy skin. Double the buffalo sauce for extra dipping. Use vegan butter for dairy-free adaptation and check hot sauce for gluten-free compliance. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 5 wings
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Protein: 22
Keywords: buffalo wings, slow cooker, game day, chicken wings, appetizer, party food, easy recipe, spicy wings, crockpot wings