Air Fryer Hooters Buffalo Wings

What a fool. I was just sitting here the other day thinking maybe I’d cut back on the wings. Take a little break. After I make these air fryer Hooters Buffalo wings, that sounds like a good time to chill a bit. Well, ‘no’. Just ‘no’ to that idea. Not when there are wings like these. And from the air fryer? I would’ve told you that you were lying to me. No way. “They have to be deep-fried” is what I’d say. Or exclaim. Nope, they aren’t. These are great Buffalo wings. These are the kind of wings that make me happy and ready to eat more tomorrow!

Air Fryer Hooter's Buffalo Wings

Darn Near Deep-Fried

I use my air fryer for wings a lot because it’s easy and makes for some good wings. But not quite like I’d get deep-fried, which is my wing of choice (well, that and wings cooked on a charcoal grill using the Vortex). These air fryer Hooters Buffalo wings come mighty close to being just as good as deep-fried. Mighty close. Darned close. Close enough? That’s up to you to decide. I loved them. Tossed in a simple standard Buffalo sauce, I could not get enough of them.

Dash Deluxe Air Fryer – Adjustable Temperature…
  • Consistent Cooking Every Time: The Dash Deluxe Air…
  • Simple Operation, Tasty Results: This compact…

Also try some air fryer maple wings! They’re delicious too!

The Best Air Fryer Wings
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Hooters Buffalo Wings

Darn-near like deep-fried.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer, copycat
Servings: 4
Calories: 657kcal

Ingredients

For the wings

For the sauce

Instructions

For the wings

  • Combine the flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and salt in a large bowl.
  • Add the wings and coat well.
  • Place in the fridge for 1 hour.
  • Spray your air fryer basket with non-stick spray.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400 F.
  • Add the wings to the air fryer. Do not overlap.
  • Spray the wings lightly with more non-stick spray. If there are any 'floury' spots, give them an extra spray so that they crisp up good.
  • Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Gently turn the wings and lightly spray again with non-stick spray. If there are still some 'floury' spots, give them an extra spray so that they crisp up good.
  • Cook another 10 minutes.
  • Toss wings with sauce before serving. Click here for our guide on how to sauce your wings.

For the sauce

  • Add the hot sauce and butter to a small saucepan over medium heat.
  • Stir until the butter is melted.
  • Keep warm until ready to use.

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce on the side.

Nutrition

Calories: 657kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 205mg | Sodium: 1008mg | Potassium: 368mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 863IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Melinda’s Craft Wing Collection – Gourmet Wing…
  • PERFECT GIFT FOR WING LOVERS: Melinda’s took the…
  • SET YOUR MOUTH ON FLAVOR: This hot sauce variety…

Hooters Medium Wings

Hooters is where my wing addiction started. These Hooters medium wings (deep fried!) are as close to the real thing as you can get. Lightly crunchy, super tasty breading with a just-spicy-enough Buffalo wing sauce. No pain from the heat here, just great wings. This is not a copycat recipe. These wings are made with the same breading and sauce you can order online or pick up in the retail section at any Hooters. Get some, make these wings, and be happy!

Hooters Medium Wings

Great Wings Without All The Heat

I can fry 5-6 Hooters medium wings at a time in a Fry Daddy fryer. It makes for some perfect wings. Only downside is that you can’t select the cook temperature, so I end up cooking my wings a bit longer since the oil is around 325 F-350 F. Still it makes for great wings in no time with a lot less oil than if I’d used my big restaurant-style fryer!

Sale
Presto 05427 FryDaddy Electric Deep Fryer
  • SPECIAL GREEN/GOLD EDITION: Our best-selling…
  • FOUR SERVINGS: Makes four servings of french fries…

If you like to serve your Hooters medium wings with carrots and celery on the side, I recommend that you take a vegetable peeler to remove the outer strings. The celery is oh so much more tender without those pesky things!

Hooters Breading Wing, 16 oz
  • Hooters Wing Breading
  • 1lb
The Original Hooters Medium Wing Sauce – Ideal for…
  • Authentic Restaurant Taste: Bring the legendary…
  • Made with Real Butter: Unlike oil-based…

Need something with a little (actually a lot) more heat? Try Hooters 3 Mile Island wings!

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

Hooter's Medium Wings
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Hooters Medium Wings

No pain here, just great hot wings.
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Buffalo wings, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 537kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the wings

  • 3-4 pounds chicken wings flats and drumettes separated, tips saved to make stock
  • Hooters Wing Breading
  • Oil for frying
  • Hooters Medium Wing sauce
  • dressing Ranch or blue cheese, for dipping
  • carrot sticks for serving
  • celery sticks for serving (note: I like to shave my celery with a vegetable peeler first)

Instructions

  • Place wings in a large resealable container or baggie.
  • Add half the bag of breading. Seal and shake vigorously to coat the wings. Add more breading if needed to ensure that the wings are well coated.
  • Place the wings in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • Add enough oil to a deep fryer or Dutch oven to cook the wings. Bring to 350 F.
  • Working in batches if needed, fry the wings 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Transfer the wings to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain while cooking the remaining wings.
  • Transfer wings to a resealable container and add half a jar of the wing sauce.
  • Serve with dressing and carrots and celery.

Notes

Note: If your wing sauce is refrigerated, place into a microwavable bowl and microwave for 20 seconds to melt.

Nutrition

Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 263mg | Potassium: 357mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 409IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Hooters 3 Mile Island Wings

This is it. The pinnacle of wings from a chain restaurant, Hooters 3 Mile Island wings. But made at home with little fuss and tons of reward. Yeah, they’re spicy. They’re mighty spicy in fact. But tasty too. Heat and tasty are a good thing. Lightly breaded and fried in no time, these are definitely one of my favorite wings of all time.

Hooters 3 Mile Island Wings

Buckle Up, It’s Going To Be A Spicy Ride

For me, these wings have just the right amount of heat. I mean heck yeah, they’re spicy. If you’re not really into that kick, you can make Hooters traditional hot wings at home too. Same great flavor without all the heat.

Hooters Breading Wing, 16 oz
  • Hooters Wing Breading
  • 1lb

Get online now and order some Hooters 3 Mile Island wing sauce.

The Original Hooters 3 Mile Island Wing Sauce…
  • Authentic Restaurant Taste: Bring the legendary…
  • Made with Real Butter: Unlike oil-based…

Remember that if you have to refrigerate your open bottle of wing sauce to let it sit out on the counter for at least 30 minutes before using. You don’t want to ‘shock’ hot, just-cooked wings with a cold sauce.

Also try some Hooters hot wings!

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

Hooter's 3 Mile Island Wings
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Hooters 3 Mile Island Wings

Yeah, they're spicy!
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: very spicy, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 537kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the wings

Instructions

  • Place wings in a large resealable container or baggie.
  • Add half the bag of breading. Seal and shake vigorously to coat the wings. Add more breading if needed to ensure that the wings are well coated.
  • Place the wings in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • Add enough oil to a deep fryer or Dutch oven to cook the wings. Bring to 350 F.
  • Working in batches if needed, fry the wings 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Transfer the wings to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain while cooking the remaining wings.
  • Transfer wings to a resealable container and add half a jar of the wing sauce.
  • Serve with dressing and carrots and celery.

Notes

Note: If your wing sauce is refrigerated, place into a microwavable bowl and microwave for 20 seconds to melt.

Nutrition

Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 263mg | Potassium: 357mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 409IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Hooters Hot Wings

This is what wings are all about. These Hooters hot wings (deep fried as they should be!) are as close to the real thing as you can get. Lightly crunchy, super tasty breading. Nicely spicy Buffalo wing sauce. No pain here, just great hot wings. This is not a copycat recipe. These wings are made with the same breading and sauce you can order online or pick up in the retail section at any Hooters. Get some, make these wings, and be happy!

Hooters Hot Wings

Beyond Great

I fry up my Hooters hot wings 6 or so at a time in a Fry Daddy fryer. It makes perfect wings. Only downside is you can’t select the cook temperature, so I end up cooking my wings a bit longer since the oil is around 325 F. Still it makes for great wings in no time with a lot less oil than if I’d used my big restaurant-style fryer!

Sale
Presto 05427 FryDaddy Electric Deep Fryer
  • SPECIAL GREEN/GOLD EDITION: Our best-selling…
  • FOUR SERVINGS: Makes four servings of french fries…

If you like to serve your Hooters Hot wings with carrots and celery on the side, I recommend that you take a vegetable peeler to remove the outer strings. The celery is oh so much more tender without those pesky things!

Hooters Breading Wing, 16 oz
  • Hooters Wing Breading
  • 1lb
Hooters Original Medium Wing Sauce, 12 Ounce (Pack…
  • Hooters Medium Wing Sauce
  • Net Wt. 12 Oz

Also try some Hooters medium wings for a little less heat!

Check out my always-growing list of over 200 favorite store-bought wing sauces and seasonings!

Hooter's Hot Wings
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Hooters Hot Wings

No pain here, just great hot wings.
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Buffalo wings, wings
Servings: 6
Calories: 537kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the wings

Instructions

  • Place wings in a large resealable container or baggie.
  • Add half the bag of breading. Seal and shake vigorously to coat the wings. Add more breading if needed to ensure that the wings are well coated.
  • Place the wings in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • Add enough oil to a deep fryer or Dutch oven to cook the wings. Bring to 350 F.
  • Working in batches if needed, fry the wings 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Transfer the wings to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain while cooking the remaining wings.
  • Transfer wings to a resealable container and add half a jar of the wing sauce.
  • Serve with dressing and carrots and celery.

Notes

Note: If your wing sauce is refrigerated, place into a microwavable bowl and microwave for 20 seconds to melt.

Nutrition

Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 263mg | Potassium: 357mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 409IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.

Air Fryer Hooters Hot Wings

Oh yes! Give me a plate (or two) or air fryer Hooters hot wings and I am one happy guy! Sure, the traditional method involves deep frying and that’s the way to do up the classic if you have the time, a deep fryer and some oil. If not, the air fryer makes for some mighty respectable wings that are just hot enough, just crunchy enough, and are oh-so-delicious! These wings are the way wings should be, and they’re crazy easy to make!

Air Fryer Hooters Hot Wings

You Never Forget Your First Wings

Air fryer Hooters hot wings take me right back to the first time I visited a Hooters. I went to the original store in Clearwater, FL and ordered up a big ole plate of wings and proceeded to get at it! Man, did I ever fall in love with wings right there and then. I was an amateur then. I got sauce all over myself. I had to ask for more napkins. I probably ordered a soda instead of beer. Well I’ve learned since then. Now I’m a wing professional. I can eat an absolute ton of hot wings without even thinking about it. Am I proud of that? Heck yeah, you bet I am!

And so here I am, many years later, still enjoying Hooters great wings! Stop by one of the restaurants to purchase some breading and sauce (and heck, get some wings while you’re there). You can also order them online.

PS: Many of the stores are gone now. Perhaps all but the original. But that one’s worth the drive so go!

Get The Real Thing

You can order everything online that you need to make these great wings at home.

Hooters Breading Wing, 16 oz
  • Hooters Wing Breading
  • 1lb
Hooters Original Medium Wing Sauce, 12 Ounce (Pack…
  • Hooters Medium Wing Sauce
  • Net Wt. 12 Oz

I love wings out of my air fryer. I never thought I would, but the ease and flavor and crunchy skin made a believer out of me!

Also try my air fryer Bub-ee’s BBQ wings!

Air Fryer Hooter's Hot Wings
Print Recipe
4.50 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Hooters Hot Wings

An air fryer version of the restaurant classic!
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer, Buffalo wings, wings
Servings: 1
Calories: 13kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken wings flats and drumettes separated, tips saved to make stock
  • Hooters Wing Breading
  • Hooters Hot Wing Sauce
  • dressing Ranch or blue cheese, for dipping
  • carrot sticks for serving
  • celery sticks for serving (note: I like to shave my celery with a vegetable peeler first)

Instructions

  • Place wings into a resealable container. Add 1 tablespoon of the breading. Seal and shake to coat. Open the container and check for breading that isn't adhering to the wings. If there isn't any (i.e. it's all stuck to the wings!) you might want to add bit more breading, seal, and shake again. If there's a bit of breading in the container that isn't stuck to the wings, you're good to go as as much is stuck as is gonna stick!
  • Place the sealed wings into the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • Lightly spray the basket of your air fryer with non-stick spray. Preheat per manufacturer's recommendation to 400 F.
  • Lightly spray all sides of the wings with non-stick spray.
  • Add the wings to the basket (be careful it's hot!). If you have trouble fitting them without overlapping, stand the drumettes along the sides of the basket.
  • Cook wings for 10 minutes.
  • Flip the wings and cook another 10 minutes.
  • Remove wings from fryer and place in a bowl. Toss with the sauce. Click here for our guide on how to sauce your wings.
  • Serve with dressing and carrots and celery.

Notes

Note: If your wing sauce is refrigerated, place a few tablespoons of the sauce into a microwavable bowl and microwave for 20 seconds to melt.

Nutrition

Calories: 13kcal | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 9mg | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate and will not include any store-bought wing sauce or seasoning nutritional values.