Crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

Ingredients

• 2.5 pounds chicken wings, separated into flats and drumettes
• 1 tablespoon baking powder (not baking soda)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons celery sticks and blue cheese dressing, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 250F and line a large baking sheet with foil, then set a wire rack on top. The rack lets air circulate under the wings so the skin crisps instead of steaming in its own moisture.
2. Pat the wings extremely dry with paper towels; any surface moisture will steam the skin instead of crisping it. In a large bowl, toss the wings with the baking powder, salt, and garlic powder until every piece is evenly coated.
3. Arrange the wings skin-side up on the wire rack in a single layer without touching. Bake at 250F for 30 minutes; this low, slow start dries the skin out from within.
4. Increase the oven temperature to 425F (no need to remove the wings first) and continue baking for 15 to 20 minutes more, until the skin is deeply golden and visibly crisp.
5. While the wings finish, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Once melted, whisk in the hot sauce, vinegar, and black pepper until smooth and glossy.
6. Check the wings for doneness: an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest drumette should read 165F, and the skin should look dry and blistered, not shiny.
7. Remove the wings from the oven and let them sit for 2 minutes; tossing them immediately while piping hot can cause the sauce to slide off rather than cling.
8. Transfer the wings to a large clean bowl and pour about three-quarters of the buffalo sauce over them. Toss gently with tongs until every wing is evenly coated.
9. Taste one wing and add more sauce if you like it spicier and more coated; reserve the rest of the sauce on the side for dipping.
10. Serve immediately while hot and crisp, with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing alongside.

Nutrition

Calories	340
Protein	27.0 g
Fat	25.0 g
Carbs	2.0 g
Fiber	0.0 g
Sodium	890 mg

Nutrition information is an estimate per serving and is not a substitute for professional dietary advice.