Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings
So, yeah, I know I shared a slew of Super Bowl friendly recipes with you yesterday but I couldn't get these cooked and photoed in time for the big list, so here's another recipe that would be perfecto for some serious football watching and is also super easy to throw together. Plus they are absolutely delish! Crispy, light and spicy but not in that fire-coming-out-of-your-ears-way! And yeah, I know I also said yesterday that Super Bowl parties were not for healthy eating, but don't hold that against these wings that are baked instead of fried--I think I have to eat my words--or maybe just a plate of these wings. Make plenty--if the test run I did with my family was any indication, they will be inhaled in minutes!!!
I've never really been a huge fan of spicy wings, that is, until we were in Buffalo last year on, what else, a hockey trip, and tasted Duff's. They were just so flavorful and irresistible and since then, I've kind of been on a wing kick. What I especially love about this version, is that you toss wings with oil, salt and pepper and then bake them. There's no messy frying or lots of hands-on work. While the wings are cooking, you make a really simple hot sauce mixture that you toss the wings in once they're all done and then serve. There's really nothing to it and I promise you that the cheers you receive when you serve up a platter of these, will rival those on the field!!
Gosh, I love football eating!!
Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings
Makes 4 servings but that's loose--if you're not serving a lot of other appetizers with this I would definitely double the recipe
Prep Time for Wings: About 1 hour; Prep Time for Sauce: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds chicken wings (I like to buy the party pack where the drummettes and flats are already separated but you can just buy regular wings as well)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 tablespoon, plus 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- Scant 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup hot pepper sauce (I used Frank's)
The Recipe
1. Preheat oven to 400ºF and place a wire rack inside a large rimmed baking sheet. (If you double the recipe you will need two pans). In a large bowl, toss the wings with the oil, 1/2 tablespoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Arrange on the rack in an even layer, skin side up and bake for about 1 hour.
2. While the wings are cooking, prepare the buffalo sauce. Mix together the melted butter, cayenne pepper, remaining black pepper and salt in a small saucepan. Let sit for a few minutes.
3. When wings are done, transfer them to a bowl and pour the hot sauce mixture over them. Toss well and serve immediately or make ahead and reheat in a low oven or serve at room temperature. They're great any way!
Enjoy!
Note: Recipe adapted from a 2012 edition of Bon Appétit Magazine. I cooked the wings longer and tinkered with proportions a bit too.
