Fried Chicken Wings

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Achieve restaurant-quality fried chicken wings with this detailed guide. Begin by marinating chicken in buttermilk and spices for deep flavor. Coat thoroughly in a seasoned flour and cornstarch blend, then fry to a golden crisp. Serve these perfectly crunchy wings with your choice of zesty Buffalo, sweet and tangy Thai chili, or classic BBQ sauce. Tips for extra crispiness and ingredient substitutions are included, ensuring delicious results every time.

Updated on Sat, 31 Jan 2026 15:00:00 GMT
Golden brown Fried Chicken Wings tossed in Buffalo sauce, served with crisp celery sticks and ranch dressing on a rustic platter. Pin It
Golden brown Fried Chicken Wings tossed in Buffalo sauce, served with crisp celery sticks and ranch dressing on a rustic platter. | jolitighza.com

The sound of wings hitting hot oil still makes my kitchen feel like a Friday night, even on a Tuesday. I started making these when my roommate complained about takeout prices, and now we have a standing wing date every week. Theres something satisfying about getting that perfect crunch without leaving your house.

Last Super Bowl, I made six pounds of these wings and watched them disappear in ten minutes flat. My brother-in-law, who never compliments anything, actually asked for the recipes. Now Im the designated wing person for every family gathering.

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Ingredients

  • Chicken wings (2.5 lbs): Separating at the joint helps them cook evenly and makes eating so much easier
  • Buttermilk (1 cup): This is the secret to tender meat that practically falls off the bone
  • Seasoning blend: The combination of garlic powder, onion powder, and spices builds layers of flavor
  • Flour mixture: Cornstarch and baking powder create that shatteringly crisp exterior
  • Hot sauce for Buffalo: Franks RedHot gives the most authentic tangy kick
  • Honey in Buffalo sauce: Just enough to balance the heat and add a gorgeous glaze

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Instructions

Marinate for maximum flavor:
Whisk buttermilk with all the spices and submerge the wings for at least 30 minutes, though overnight is even better
Set up your coating station:
Mix flour, cornstarch, and baking powder in a wide bowl where you can really press the wings in
Dredge like you mean it:
Let excess buttermilk drip off, then press each wing firmly into the flour mixture until thoroughly coated
Let them rest:
Place coated wings on a wire rack for 10 minutes so the coating sets up and wont fall off in the oil
Get the oil right:
Heat your oil to 350°F and use a thermometer to be certain, otherwise you will end up with greasy wings
Fry in batches:
Cook only enough wings at once to maintain oil temperature, about 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown
Drain properly:
Let wings rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels so they stay crispy on all sides
Make your sauces while wings fry:
Whisk Buffalo sauce ingredients warm, stir Thai chili sauce with lime, or pour BBQ sauce into a serving bowl
Toss and serve immediately:
Divide wings among three bowls, toss with your chosen sauces, and get them to the table while still hot
Crispy restaurant-style Fried Chicken Wings glazed with Thai sweet chili sauce and fresh lime juice, garnished with sliced scallions. Pin It
Crispy restaurant-style Fried Chicken Wings glazed with Thai sweet chili sauce and fresh lime juice, garnished with sliced scallions. | jolitighza.com

These wings became my go-to comfort food after a terrible breakup. Something about standing at the stove, listening to that steady sizzle, and knowing I would create something delicious made everything feel manageable. Food has a way of doing that.

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The Double-Fry Secret

Restaurant wings have that impossibly crisp exterior because they often fry twice. First fry at 300°F for 7 minutes to cook through, then let them cool completely. A second fry at 375°F for just 2 to 3 minutes creates that extra crunch that makes people ask what you did differently.

Sauce Timing Matters

Toss wings in sauce immediately after frying so the coating stays crisp. If you sauce too early, the wings will get soggy. For Buffalo, keep the sauce warm so it coats evenly without seizing up. Thai sweet chili is thick enough to use straight from the bottle.

Make It Your Own

Once you have the basic wing technique down, you can riff endlessly. Try lemon-pepper seasoning, toss with garlic parmesan butter, or go full Nashville hot with a cayenne glaze. The buttermilk and flour method works for almost any flavor profile.

  • Keep cooked wings warm in a 200°F oven while frying remaining batches
  • Serve sauces on the side if you have picky eaters or different spice preferences
  • Have plenty of napkins ready because this is definitely finger food
Freshly fried golden Fried Chicken Wings with smoky BBQ sauce, arranged on a tray with blue cheese dip and celery. Pin It
Freshly fried golden Fried Chicken Wings with smoky BBQ sauce, arranged on a tray with blue cheese dip and celery. | jolitighza.com

Theres nothing quite like biting into a perfectly crispy wing while someone reaches across the table for seconds. These wings make any night feel like a celebration.

Your Questions Answered

How do I ensure my wings are extra crispy?

For maximum crispiness, consider a double-fry method. Fry once at 150°C (300°F) for about 7 minutes, cool them, then fry again at 190°C (375°F) for 2-3 minutes until deeply golden.

Can I prepare these wings ahead of time?

You can marinate the wings in buttermilk overnight for best flavor. The coated wings can rest for about 10 minutes before frying. For serving, wings are best fresh, but can be reheated in an oven or air fryer.

What if I don't have buttermilk?

A simple substitute can be made by combining 1 cup of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles before using.

How can I adjust the spice level?

To increase the heat, add more cayenne pepper to your coating mixture. For spicier sauces, use a hotter variety of hot sauce for the Buffalo option or add a pinch of chili flakes to the Thai sweet chili.

What are good serving suggestions?

These fried wings are excellent served with celery sticks and a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing. A crisp lager or chilled white wine makes a great beverage pairing.

What type of oil is best for frying?

Sunflower or peanut oil are recommended for deep frying due to their high smoke points, which are ideal for achieving a golden, crispy exterior without burning.

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Fried Chicken Wings

Master crispy, seasoned chicken wings, fried to perfection. Choose from Buffalo, Thai sweet chili, or BBQ sauce for serving.

Prep Time
20 mins
Time to Cook
25 mins
Overall Time
45 mins
Written by Noel Armstrong


Level Medium

Cuisine American

Makes 4 Portions

Diet Details None specified

What You'll Need

Chicken

01 2.5 lbs chicken wings, separated at joints, wing tips removed

Marinade

01 1 cup buttermilk
02 1 teaspoon salt
03 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 1/2 teaspoon paprika
07 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Coating

01 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1/2 cup cornstarch
03 1 teaspoon baking powder

Frying Oil

01 Sunflower or peanut oil for deep frying

Buffalo Sauce

01 1/3 cup hot sauce
02 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 1 teaspoon honey

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

01 1/2 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
02 1 tablespoon lime juice
03 1 teaspoon fish sauce

BBQ Sauce

01 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

Garnish

01 Fresh chives or scallions, sliced
02 Celery sticks
03 Blue cheese or ranch dressing

How-To Steps

Step 01

Marinate the Chicken: Combine chicken wings with buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for maximum flavor penetration.

Step 02

Prepare Dredging Station: Whisk together flour, cornstarch, and baking powder in a separate bowl until thoroughly combined.

Step 03

Coat the Wings: Remove wings from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Press each wing firmly into the flour mixture to ensure complete coating. Arrange coated wings on a wire rack and let rest for 10 minutes to set the coating.

Step 04

Heat Frying Oil: Pour oil into a heavy pot or deep fryer to a depth of 2 inches. Heat to 350°F, monitoring with a thermometer for accuracy.

Step 05

Fry Until Crispy: Fry wings in small batches to maintain oil temperature. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy throughout. Transfer to a wire rack to drain excess oil.

Step 06

Prepare Sauces: For Buffalo sauce: whisk hot sauce, melted butter, and honey until smooth. For Thai sauce: combine sweet chili sauce, lime juice, and fish sauce. BBQ sauce is ready to use as-is.

Step 07

Toss and Serve: Divide cooked wings into three portions. Toss each batch with one sauce variety, or serve sauces alongside for dipping. Garnish with sliced chives and serve with celery sticks and your choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing.

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What You’ll Need

  • Large mixing bowls
  • Wire rack with baking sheet
  • Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot
  • Slotted spoon or kitchen tongs
  • Instant-read or deep-fry thermometer

Allergy Warnings

Check all ingredients for allergens. Contact a healthcare provider if you’re unsure.
  • Dairy: buttermilk, butter, blue cheese or ranch dressing
  • Wheat/Gluten: all-purpose flour
  • Fish: fish sauce in Thai sweet chili sauce (optional ingredient)
  • For gluten-free preparation, substitute all-purpose flour with a certified gluten-free flour blend

Nutrition Details (per portion)

For basic reference only—not meant as health advice.
  • Energy (kcal): 520
  • Lipids: 27 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Proteins: 33 g

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