These Baked Sriracha Buffalo Wings are a fiery twist on the classic buffalo wing, delivering an addictive balance of heat, tang, and rich buttery flavor. Oven-baking ensures each wing is irresistibly crispy on the outside while staying tender and juicy inside—without the mess or extra calories from deep-frying. The Sriracha buffalo sauce adds a bold kick that spice lovers can’t resist.
Perfect for game day spreads, backyard BBQs, or casual get-togethers, these wings pair beautifully with crisp celery, cool ranch, or creamy blue cheese dip. Whether served as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or the star of a dinner platter, these wings are guaranteed to disappear fast. Just be prepared—guests will ask for the recipe!
Ingredients:
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2 ½ lbs chicken wings, tips removed and wings separated at the joint
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1 tablespoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ cup Sriracha sauce
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¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
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2 tablespoons honey (optional for sweetness)
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1 tablespoon rice vinegar
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Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and place a wire rack on top.
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Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels.
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In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder and salt until evenly coated. This helps create that crispy texture in the oven.
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Arrange the wings in a single layer on the rack, making sure they are not touching. Bake for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
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While the wings bake, prepare the sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the Sriracha, melted butter, honey, and rice vinegar. Stir until smooth and heated through.
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Once the wings are done, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the Sriracha buffalo sauce over the wings and toss until evenly coated.
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Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes
Kcal: 310 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Baked Sriracha Buffalo Wings: The Ultimate Spicy Oven Delight
When it comes to party food, few dishes have the universal crowd-pleasing power of chicken wings. They’re fun, flavorful, and perfect for sharing, making them the star of any gathering from game-day feasts to backyard BBQs. But while classic deep-fried buffalo wings will always have a special place in our hearts, oven-baked versions are quickly becoming the preferred choice for home cooks who want all the flavor without the fryer.
These Baked Sriracha Buffalo Wings take that concept to the next level. They’re crispy, juicy, and coated in a fiery sauce that’s equal parts tangy, spicy, and savory. The magic happens when you combine the buttery tang of traditional buffalo sauce with the distinct chili-garlic kick of Sriracha. The result? A wing experience that’s bold, addictive, and a little different from the standard recipe you’ve had countless times before.
The Appeal of Sriracha in Wings
Sriracha, with its origins in Thailand, has become a worldwide culinary sensation. Unlike some hot sauces that are purely about heat, Sriracha brings a more balanced flavor profile, mild-to-medium heat, a hint of sweetness, and a gentle garlic undertone. When paired with the tang of vinegar and the richness of butter in buffalo sauce, it creates a complex, layered flavor that dances across your taste buds.
For those who find traditional buffalo wings slightly one-dimensional, adding Sriracha is like turning up the volume on flavor. You get that satisfying spice hit, but also a depth and complexity that keeps you coming back for more.
Why Bake Instead of Fry?
Deep-fried wings are undeniably delicious, but they also come with a few drawbacks: extra oil, more calories, and a mess to clean up. Baking, on the other hand, offers a cleaner, healthier, and equally satisfying option.
By using a high oven temperature and a simple coating of baking powder and salt, you can achieve skin that crisps beautifully while allowing the meat underneath to remain juicy and tender. Baking powder helps draw out moisture from the skin, which promotes that irresistible crunch when baked. Plus, oven-baked wings mean you can focus on prepping your sauce or sides without juggling a pot of hot oil.
The Secret to Perfect Crispy Oven Wings
If you’ve tried baking wings before and ended up with something less than crispy, here are a few pro tips:
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Pat them dry – Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Use paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible before seasoning.
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Use baking powder, not baking soda – Baking powder changes the pH of the chicken skin, allowing it to crisp up better in the oven.
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Use a wire rack – Elevating the wings lets hot air circulate around them, ensuring even cooking and crisping on all sides.
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Don’t crowd the pan – Too many wings close together will trap steam, leaving you with softer skin.
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Flip halfway – This ensures both sides are evenly browned.
Follow these steps, and you’ll have wings that rival any restaurant version.
Building the Sriracha Buffalo Sauce
The sauce is the heartbeat of this recipe. It’s what turns your crispy baked chicken wings into a dish people will remember.
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Sriracha – The star ingredient, adding that signature garlicky, chili warmth.
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Butter – Provides richness, smooth texture, and helps mellow the heat.
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Vinegar – A little tang to brighten the sauce and balance the richness.
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Honey (optional) – Just enough sweetness to balance the heat and acidity.
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Salt – Enhances all the flavors without overpowering them.
The key is to heat the sauce gently, just enough for the butter to melt and everything to blend into a smooth coating. Pour it over your freshly baked wings while they’re still hot, so they soak up every drop of flavor.
Serving Suggestions
These wings are wonderfully versatile and can be served in many ways depending on the occasion:
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Classic Party Platter – Pile them high on a large serving plate with celery and carrot sticks, plus a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
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Game Day Feast – Serve alongside nachos, sliders, and beer for a winning lineup.
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Outdoor BBQ – Pair with grilled corn on the cob, potato salad, and iced tea for a summer backyard vibe.
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Casual Dinner – Serve with a side salad or roasted veggies for a balanced meal that still feels indulgent.
And don’t forget a cold beverage: beer, sparkling water, or even a margarita pairs beautifully with the spicy heat.
Customizing the Heat Level
Not everyone enjoys the same level of spice, and this recipe adapts easily:
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Milder version – Reduce the Sriracha by half and add more butter. You can also add a touch more honey for sweetness.
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Extra hot – Add an extra tablespoon or two of Sriracha or even a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
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Smoky twist – Mix in a teaspoon of smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a deeper flavor profile.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
One of the best things about baked wings is that they can be prepared in advance without losing their magic:
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Make-ahead – Bake the wings until just cooked, then cool and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat in a hot oven until crispy, then toss in sauce.
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Leftovers – Store sauced wings in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to restore crispiness.
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Freezing – Freeze baked (unsauced) wings in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. They can be reheated directly from frozen.
Nutritional Notes
A single serving of these Baked Sriracha Buffalo Wings comes in around 310 calories, with about 22g of protein and 20g of fat, depending on your exact ingredient choices. Baking instead of frying reduces the fat content while still delivering all the flavor you expect from a great wing recipe.
Sriracha also contains chili peppers, which are a source of capsaicin, known for its potential metabolism-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. While wings aren’t a “health food,” making them at home means you control the ingredients and portion sizes.
Conclusion
Baked Sriracha Buffalo Wings are more than just another party snack, they’re a perfect example of how simple tweaks to a classic can create something new and exciting. By baking instead of frying, you get all the crispy satisfaction without the mess or extra oil, and the Sriracha buffalo sauce gives the dish a bold, modern twist.
Whether you’re hosting a crowd, planning a family dinner, or just treating yourself, these wings will deliver every time. They’re easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and guaranteed to disappear from the plate in record time. Just be ready, you might have to double the batch, because everyone will be asking for seconds.