Perdue Hot ‘N Spicy Crispy Air Fryer wings really made me happy. I’m not usually impressed with frozen, prepared wings. They’re usually scrawny and tasteless. Not these. Not even close. These wings are definitely hot and spicy. They have a delicious, crunchy batter. They cook up in no time in an air fryer (you can also prepare them in the oven). The aroma as they cook is dream-worthy. And perhaps best of all, they are not scrawny! Nope, these are meaty, tender, juicy, tasty, crunchy wings! Score!
I was wrong, and I’m sorry
I didn’t have high expectations for these wings and I was wrong about them. If you like battered wings and are in a hurry, you can’t beat them. Eat them straight out of the air fryer, or do as I did and dunk them in a little Buffalo wing sauce and Ranch dressing. Whatever works for you!
Cook time
The packaging for Perdue Hot ‘N Spicy Crispy Air Fryer Wings says to cook them at 400 F for 16 minutes. Maybe it’s just my air fryer (which is a 1700 watt model), but I found that 14 minutes is better. The wings may not seem crunchy after the shorter time, but they do get crunchier as they cool a little. I thought they came out great. Any longer and they start to get a little dark. Not burned, just dark.
Perdue makes roasted and a lemon pepper versions of these wings. Try them. You’ll love them too and they’re great for your fear-the-heat friends!
Preheat your air fryer to 400 F per the manufacturer's instructions.
Add the wing pieces and cook for 16 minutes. Note: I prefer 14 minutes. I recommend checking them after 12 or so minutes to see if you are happy with the color of the wings and remove them before 16 minutes if desired.
Remove wings and let cool for 2 minutes before serving with your desired sauces.
Although not ‘traditional’, I love tossing wings in barbecue sauce. Just as with wing sauces, there are so many barbecue sauces, so many different flavors. And many of them are truly amazing. Kinder’s mild BBQ wings are tossed in one of those amazing sauces. Mild in heat, but over-the-top delicious, this is one fantastic sauce for wings or anything grilled, from burgers to ribs.
These Kinder’s mild BBQ wings have a slight sweetness to them. And a light smokiness. This is one fantastic tomato-based barbecue (and wing) sauce for sure. This is one of those sauces you’ll want to keep on hand at all times.
These crispy baked honey BBQ wings made a believer of baked wings out of me. I rarely make wings in the oven. Or rather, I used to rarely make wings in the oven. These wings were delicious. They were cooked just right. The skin had the perfect bite. Man, there’s just nothing worse than rubbery wing skin. Not a worry here, that’s for sure. And the sauce? Oh me, what a great combination of sweetness, smokiness and just a bit of heat.
This recipe for crispy baked honey BBQ wings scales really easily. So if you need to make a bunch of wings for a bunch of people, all you gotta do is double it or triple it or more. The sauce is also great on the sauce for dipping the cooked wings, so make extra. It’s really good stuff, and people are likely to want more of it. I did.
I used Sweet Baby Ray’s for the barbecue sauce in the sauce mix, but you can use your favorite. Since you’re adding honey and a little heat, I’d opt for a more traditional BBQ sauce versus a sweet heat version.
Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray the foil with non-stick spray.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, garlic powder, chili powder and black pepper.
Add the wings to the bowl (working in batches if needed) and toss to coat well. Transfer the wings to the baking sheet. Do not overlap the wings or let them touch.
Spray the tops of the wings with a little non-stick spray. This is optional but I think it gets the wings a bit more crispy.
Bake for 20 minutes. Turn the wings and bake another 20 minutes.
Brush the tops of the wings with half of the wing sauce. Bake another 5 minutes.
Flip the wings and brush with the remaining sauce. Bake another 5 minutes.
Optional: If you want a little more color to your wings, place under the boiler for 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them, though. You do not want to burn the sauce.
For the sauce
Meanwhile, combine all of the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and then reduce the heat to keep warm until the wings are done, stirring often.
Ahhhhh. Perfect. This is what a barbecue sauce is meant for. Wings. Oh yeah, I know, you put it on pulled pork, grilled chicken legs, ribs and even burgers. But on wings…. yum! Kinder’s honey BBQ wings hit the spot and then some for me. The sauce is a nice traditional tomato-based sauce. It has a hint of smokiness, but just a hint. It has a nice sweetness, but not too much. It’s not candy, just a great BBQ sauce that loves to be tossed onto some hot-out-of-the-cooker wings.
You can serve Kinder’s Honey BBQ wings at a party and not worry about anyone complaining about the heat. If you’re seeking out a bit of spiciness, though, Kinder’s makes a spicy version of this BBQ sauce too. So, cover all of your bases and serve them both! Now you know that everyone will be happy!
I love making may own Buffalo wings at home. Making the sauce from scratch lets me adjust the flavors to my tastes. Sometimes I prefer spicy, sometimes I go for something a little more mellow. Below are my favorite recipes. Give them a try and I’m sure they’ll be your favorites too!
Big Game Hot Wings
Big Game Hot Wings were some of the best, if not the best, homemade wings I’ve had. The sauce really hit the spot for me. It’s the perfect combination of a little sweet and a little heat, with a little vinegar and mustard tang to it. It’s beyond finger-licking good.
I admit, not everything in this sauce screams Cajun, but these Cajun Buffalo wings are so darned tasty I didn’t care. Everything I love is in this sauce which explains my addiction to it. I cannot stop eating wings tossed in it. A little heat, lots of (yummy) garlic, and just the right amount of traditional Buffalo flavor, this sauce is a real winner.
There are three things I can sit down at a table to and eat all day long. They are (in no particular order): peel and eat shrimp, a crab boil, and copycat Anchor Bar Buffalo wings. Great food is even better when you can eat it with your hands. These wings have just the right amount of heat, the perfect vinegar hit, and a buttery flavor that is just the perfect combination. And, bite after bite, I cannot get enough of these wings.
It’s hard to beat Hooter’s for good ole hot wings. If you don’t have a restaurant nearby you have three options. One, move. Two, order some of their breading and sauces online and make the original yourself. Or three, make this copycat Hooter’s hot buffalo Wings from scratch. Any option will do, but I have to admit that these wings came out spot-on like what I’ve had at the restaurant. They’re hot but not crazy hot. They’re breaded perfectly. They taste wonderful and they disappear in no time. That’s the sign of darned good wings.
This is it. The mountaintop. The best. Some of my all-time favorite restaurant chain wings, made at home. These copycat Hooter’s medium Buffalo wings were so good that my stomach is growling while I’m writing this post. The flashbacks are making me smile. And hungry. These wings have the perfect breading, the perfect ‘bite’. They’re cooked perfectly. The sauce is spicy, but not too spicy. It’s buttery. Buttery-finger-licking-good. I could eat a mountain of these wings.
Yowsa. Somebody needs to open a gallery of chicken wing pictures. A picture of these Detroit hot honey wings would be right by the entrance. Under heavy guard. I loved them more than I ever thought I would. They’re almost like your standard Buffalo wings with one very obvious addition: sweet honey. Oh, and cayenne. Sweet heat, exactly what you’re searching for in a great wing.
Uh oh. The folks over at Old Bay have done it now. Wasn’t it enough that I was already addicted to Old Bay seasoning? Now they have a hot sauce too. Oh, yes! Glorious Old Bay flavors in a sauce! That means that I can make the most amazing Buffalo wings day after day! Lightly spicy, wonderfully tasty, these Old Bay Buffalo wings are the wings dreams are made of!
I had a landlord in college that always brought back bottle after bottle of Pickapeppa sauce whenever he went to Jamaica. I had never tasted anything like it. My food palate back then was ruined by fast foods. Pickapeppa woke me up to flavor. Actual flavor! And boy, oh boy, do Pickapeppa Buffalo-style wings ever bring that flavor in a tremendous sauce that is flat-out tasty. These Caribbean-inspired wings are nothing but satisfying, without a lot of heat.
If you like traditional Buffalo chicken wings, but are looking for a little twist on the classic, then I guarantee you will love Smokestack’s wings. I did. A lot. The wings are dusted with a wonderful rub that has a nice herbaceous side to it. It’s the sauce, though, that is the kicker, specially if you love Old Bay seasoning. And I do. A lot.
I love traditional Buffalo-style chicken wings. And I love traditional barbecued chicken slathered in sauce. So why not combine my two loves into a single bite? These tangy Tapatio barbecue wings do that and more. The sauce is spot-on crazy good. Not too ketchupy. Not too vinegary. It has just the right kick with just the right consistency. Tapatio is one of my go-to all-time favorite hot sauces. It makes for great wings!
It was time for something different. Time for a departure from my ‘usual’ wings, usually air-fried or deep-fried. Time for a departure from my ‘usual’ wing sauces, usually spicy but occasionally sweet. Yep, time for some baked wings with garlic butter sauce. These definitely are not my usual wings. The skin gets nice and crispy in the oven. Next, time for a toss in a very garlicky, very yummy sauce that is loaded with buttery tasty goodness. These are finger-lickingly good wings for sure!
You know, there’s absolutely no one that’s going to judge you if you decide you want even more garlic flavor when you make your baked wings with garlic butter sauce. I definitely guarantee that as the recipe is written you’re going to be getting a lot of garlic flavor. But I know there are people out there that want even more, so load up! Now’s the time to bring it!
Want your wings a little darker in color? Just put them under the broiler for a few minutes after they are fully cooked. Just keep an eye on them while you broil them. Never leave anything unattended under such high heat.
There are three things I can sit down at a table to and eat all day long. They are (in no particular order): peel and eat shrimp, a crab boil, and copycat Anchor Bar Buffalo wings. Great food is even better when you can eat it with your hands. These wings have just the right amount of heat, the perfect vinegar hit, and a buttery flavor that is just the perfect combination. And, bite after bite, I cannot get enough of these wings.
There’s nothing fancy or complicated going on with this copycat Anchor Bar Buffalo wings recipe. Season some wings and fry them. No batter required. No overnight brining. The sauce is easy, straightforward and packs nothing but flavor with just the right amount of spiciness. Make extra, because you’ll find yourself eating the afternoon away with these wings. They are perfect for watching the big game. Or the not-so-big-game for that matter.
You’ll find a number of variations on this recipe all over the internet. This is my preferred approach. From my understanding it best duplicates the original recipe from the famed bar. It sure as heck tastes great, I do know that!
Place wings in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to mix.
Heat oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 400 F.
Fry the wings (working in batches as needed) 8-12 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Stir in the hot sauce and vinegar. Remove from heat.
Once the wings are all cooked, transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle with the toss and toss to coat.
I highly recommend the sampling bar at the Pepper Palace store. I’ve been to a bunch of them. They’re almost like pilgrimages for me. Sauce after sauce, all lined up in a row, ready for me to try. And buy. I usually taste each and every one with a single purpose in mind: making chicken wings. And one thing I made was Pepper Palace blackberry barbecue wings. Sure, the bottle says ‘barbecue sauce’ on it, but oh, fear not my fellow wing lovers! It’s fantastic on wings too!
These Pepper Palace blackberry barbecue wings have just the right amount of blackberry flavor. All in a slightly smoky sauce that is also just a bit sweet, all with the perfect consistency for sticking to your wings without being too thick. Yep, great on ribs, perfect on pulled pork, and outstanding on wings! And unexpected, too. How many are your friends are expecting blackberry wings at your next wing-fest?
The fine folks over at Wing It nailed it when they came out with their version of a Buffalo sauce. Their sauce brings that classic combination of vinegar, butter and spices but with a little twist. The spices are different. Delicious. And although I love all of the sauces they make, this one is one of the best variations on the classic I’ve ever found. I love this sauce. Just the right heat and fantastic flavor, it cannot be beat.
Wing It Buffalo wings sauce is loaded with seasonings. Make sure you give it a good long shake before drizzling it on your wings and giving them a toss. You want that flavor and kick in each and every bite to be the same. You’ll find yourself enjoying your wings like never before! Refrigerate any leftover sauce. When you go to use it, make sure you set it out for at least 30 minutes to warm up a bit before using.
I’ve been to two different Buc-ee’s. Both times the experience was almost surreal. The shear number of people almost overwhelmed me. There was merchandise everywhere. There were packaged snacks and fountain drinks everywhere. More importantly, there was food everywhere. Good looking, just-made great smelling food.
The brisket station
I flowed through the crowd and went to my destination: the brisket sandwich station. I’d heard stories, I’d read the rumors. They chop the brisket right out of the smoker (after yelling ‘brisket is on the table!’) and sauce it with Buc-ee’s barbecue sauce. I gotta tell ya, it was one good sandwich. I immediately grabbed a bottle of the sauce and knew what I was making when I got back home: air fryer Buc-ee’s barbecue wings.
Just right!
These air fryer Buc-ee’s barbecue wings were fantastic. The sauce has just the right consistency for wings. Not too thick and not too thin. Perfect for sticking to my wings. It’s lightly sweet but definitely not overly so. There’s a light hint of smokiness, a little hickory to give it that traditional ketchup-based BBQ sauce flavor. These wings are finger-licking good and then some. And easy to make to boot!
To find a bottle of the sauce visit your nearest Buc-ee’s. And take my advice. Pick up a bunch of it, it’s great on anything BBQ’d!
Lightly spray the basket of your air fryer with non-stick spray. Preheat per manufacturer's recommendation to 350 F.
Lightly salt the wings on all sides.
Add the wings to the basket (be careful it's hot!).
Cook wings for 12 minutes.
Flip the wings and cook another 12 minutes.
Increase the air fryer temperature to 400 F and cook another 6 minutes.
Remove wings from fryer and place in a bowl. Toss with the sauce.
Remove wings from the bowl and serve immediately.
Notes
Note: If your barbecue sauce is refrigerated, set it out on the countertop before starting the wings so that it warms up a bit. You don’t want to put cold sauce on hot wings.Note: The full 30 minute cook time is for large, meaty wings. If your wings are a bit thinner (er… scrawny) back the times down to 10/10/4 minutes instead of 12/12/6 minutes.
