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Get ready for game day with these Crockpot buffalo chicken wings! They’re everyone’s favorite bar food, cooked with ease in a slow cooker.
If you’re like me, the best part of Sunday football is the food. From delicious appetizers to sweet treats, I’m all about the snacks.
And this is my favorite wings recipe. They have all the flavor of traditional wings but whip up in a snap in the Crockpot.
So, grab some ranch dip, and check out this recipe for these spicy Crockpot Buffalo chicken wings!
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Wings
Buffalo chicken wings are known for delectable, juicy meat fried to a crisp and smothered in spicy sauce.
There is no arguing they are delicious, but they can take a while to make. Especially if you are hoping to cook them for a crowd.
This recipe keeps the buffalo flavor you know and love, but simplifies the cooking process. This way, you’ll get your favorite food and still have time to socialize.
With garlic powder, onion salt, and a high-quality hot sauce, these wings taste out of this world!
Enjoy restaurant-quality wings in the comfort of your own home.
Ingredients
- Hot pepper sauce: The flavor backbone of this entire recipe is in the red pepper sauce. Be sure you choose a strong brand like Frank’s Hot Sauce. The entire dish depends on it!
- Butter: Every good recipe calls for at least a stick of butter, and this sauce meets regulations. Coat your wings in buttery goodness with this recipe!
- Worcestershire sauce: A little goes a long way with this ingredient! It may not be much, but it has a huge impact on the flavor of your wings.
- Oregano: Add some sophistication to your sauce with a hint of oregano. The spice brings depth to an otherwise traditional buffalo sauce.
- Onion powder: These savory wings are swimming in savory flavors. Get the taste of onion without the chunks of the vegetable. Onion powder is the perfect way to season smooth sauces.
- Garlic powder: On the same note, garlic powder is the perfect way to add flavor to a sauce without disrupting its smooth texture.
- Chicken wing sections: This one may be a bit obvious, but you can’t have slow cooker buffalo wings without wings. You can use fresh or frozen chicken wings in this recipe.
Tips for the Best Wings
- Use unsalted butter:
- This recipe can be a little salty, so make sure you’re using unsalted butter. It’s easy to add more salt as needed, but harder to remove it!
- Fresh is best:
- While you can use fresh or frozen wings in this recipe, fresh is always better. You will get a better flavor from a fresh wing than a frozen one.
- How to cut chicken wings:
- If you can only find whole chicken wings, cut them into pieces by using a sharp knife to separate the wing parts at the joint.
- Check the temperature:
- Uncooked chicken will ruin gameday in more ways than one. While cooking wings, you’ll want to make sure the chicken wing reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make ‘em crispy:
- It takes an extra step, but it’s worth it! After taking your chicken wings out of the crockpot, crisp them up with the broiler. Broil them in the oven for a few minutes until they become crispy.
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What to Serve with Slow Cooker Wings
Wondering what to serve alongside these tasty party appetizers? Don’t worry, I have you covered.
Carrots and celery. You can’t go wrong with the classics. Serving with carrots and celery adds more crunch, and helps cool your mouth down a bit!
Veggies. But you don’t have to stop at just carrots and celery! Add all your favorite raw veggies like broccoli, red and green peppers, cauliflower, or cucumber. They go great with ranch or bleu cheese, too!
Coleslaw. These wings are pretty spicy. So, cool your mouth off with a tangy and sweet coleslaw.
Dips. These wings are delicious dipped in ranch dressing or bleu cheese. You could also make homemade dip by adding seasoning to mayonnaise. Easy peasy.
French fries. If you feel like frying, homemade French fries would be the perfect pairing for a plate of slow cooker wings. Sweet potato fries work great, too!
Tasty sides. These wings could also benefit from being paired with a portion of good comfort food. Make this a meal with a scoop of mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese.
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Variations for Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Wings
The possible variations are endless! Just like every wing restaurant has a variety of options, so does the home cook!
BBQ wings. Swap about the homemade buffalo sauce for some delicious barbecue sauce. Or, pick up a jar of chili sauce for a sweet Thai version of this recipe.
Kid-friendly wings. If you’re cooking for kids, you could choose a much milder hot sauce for their delicate palettes. That way it won’t be too spicy.
Honey garlic wings. For a more adventurous recipe, you could try coating the wings in honey and garlic butter for a sweet and savory combination.
Asian-inspired wings. A few dashes of sesame oil, ginger, and soy sauce instead of buffalo sauce is amazing!
Mexican-inspired wings. For a Mexican kick, swap buffalo sauce for cumin, chili powder, and lime.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use frozen wings in the Crockpot?
Yes, both fresh and frozen wings work. However, fresh wings offer better flavor and texture.
- → How do I make the wings crispy?
After slow cooking, broil the wings for a few minutes to achieve a crispy skin.
- → What hot sauce works best for buffalo wings?
Frank’s Hot Sauce is a popular choice for authentic buffalo flavor, but any bold red pepper sauce will do.
- → How can I adjust the spice level?
Use a milder hot sauce for a kid-friendly version or add more butter to mellow the heat.
- → What sides go well with buffalo wings?
Serve with celery, carrots, ranch or bleu cheese dressing, coleslaw, or even fries for a complete meal.
- → Can I make different sauce variations?
Yes! Try BBQ, honey garlic, or Asian-inspired sauces with ingredients like soy sauce and sesame oil.