Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings Recipe + Video
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Crock Pot Buffalo Wings make the best appetizer, and you only need 4 ingredients! Claim the title of best wings at any party with this easy recipe.This is the perfect game day snack and a simple way to whip up an easy appetizer.
This recipe for slow cooker buffalo wings couldn’t be any simpler to achieve that sticky, delicious coating that you love.
Dump everything in the crockpot, stir, and walk away!
The lack of time needed to make this great appetizer is one of my top reasons that I come back to it time and time again.
It’s become my best friend recipe when I want something fast and simple to make for my own personal consumption or to share with friends during football season.
Crock Pot Buffalo Wings
To get the sauce extra caramelized, pop your slow cooker buffalo wings on a baking sheet and broil them for a few minutes before serving.
Don’t forget the sauce from the pot — that doubles as the glaze!
Craving more of that spicy buffalo flavor? You’ve got to try these chicken meatballs. They are perfect for game day AND dinner.
I also have an incredibly cheesy and addictive dip recipe that will be the highlight of any party. Or, spice up some of the classics like mac and cheese or pasta salad!
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Wings Tips and Tricks
- Low heat is best. Unless you’re in a hurry, opt for the longer cooking time to get the best crock pot hot wings.
Cooking on High can sometimes cause them to become dry instead of tender and juicy. - Want an extra thick sauce? Transfer the liquid from the slow cooker to a pot on the stove and boil until it reduces into a glaze.
Or, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir it in with the crock pot buffalo wings when they are done.
Set it to High and cook for an additional 30 minutes. - Add some dip! My homemade ranch dressing or blue cheese dip is the perfect companion to this tangy crock pot buffalo chicken wings appetizer.
You can also add your favorite hot sauce to the top of this crockpot buffalo wings once they’re cooked to give them a little bit more heat.
Don’t forget that you can also add extra buffalo sauce, your favorite BBQ sauce, or even some teriyaki sauce in a large bowl or dipping bowl. Scatter a few sliced green onions on top for a quick burst of flavor.
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings FAQs
Sure! You will prepare the crock pot hot wings recipe the same as directed but reduce the cooking time by half. This works with fresh drumettes or ones thawed from frozen.
I recommend slicing into one of the drumettes to ensure that it’s done first. If not, continue cooking for another 30 minutes to an hour.
Crockpot chicken wings aren’t going to have the same texture as deep frying them will. This is because of how you cook chicken wings in the slow cooker, covering them in the sauces.
If you wanted to cook them a second time after the crockpot, you could always grab a few, spread them out onto a baking sheet covered in aluminum foil, and pop them under the broiler for a VERY short time. A quick broil is one of the best ways to add a little crunchy texture to the spicy buffalo wings.
Be sure that you have them in a single layer when doing this method.
It’s always a good idea to check the internal temperature of the cooked chicken. Using a meat thermometer and inserting it into the thickest part of the chicken meat, away from the bone, will yield the most accurate reading.
As long as the temperature is 165 degrees, the chicken is cooked and ready to eat.
Leftover crockpot buffalo chicken wings can be stored in the refrigerator for 3–4 days in a sealed container. Be sure to let the chicken cool before storing. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer until warmed through.
Yes, but only if you boil it down on the stove first. Because it was cooked with raw chicken, the extra step of boiling helps eliminate any harmful bacteria that may occur.
Once reduced, allow it to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer. We love it on all kinds of poultry!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Crockpot Game Day Recipes
Crock Pot Buffalo Wings + Video
Ingredients
- 4 pounds chicken wings, fresh or frozen (See Notes)
- 1 cup buffalo wing sauce, I use Franks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- To a 5 quart slow cooker, add buffalo sauce, butter and honey. Stir to combine. Add chicken wings. Stir until wings are well coated. Cook on low 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.
- Remove wings from slow cooker and place on a baking sheet lined with foil. Drizzle sauce from the slow cooker over wings.
- Set the oven to broil. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce starts to caramelize. Remove from oven, serve, and enjoy.
Video
Donna’s Notes
- If you like a thick sauce coating (as seen in photos), transfer the sauce to a saucepan and boil it until it cooks down, approximately 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then brush or drizzle the sauce over the wings. Layer the sauce on the wings by coating the wings with sauce, broil for 1 minute, remove from the oven. Coat with sauce, broil 1 minute. Add more sauce and broil again, until sauce is caramelized.
- Instead of cooking the sauce down and broiling it you can combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a resealable container and shake it really well. Pour slurry into crockpot then cook an additional 30 minutes on high.
- If using fresh wings, cook time is 3-4 hours on low or 1-2 hours on high.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published February 2014. Updated and republished January 2024
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These look delicious, going to make them for my girlfriend over the weekend.
Awesome! Let us know how it goes. Enjoy.
Can you do the carmelization in a frying pan! And with fresh wings is three hours sufficient
That's so nice! My husband's brain doesn't work that way…unfortunately.
Excellent and easy recipe. I used Kroger Spicy Garlic wing sauce. Num-num-num. Gone in a flash.
Fabulous! So happy you liked them. 🙂
how long in the crock pot if the wings are thawed ?
I would check them at 3-4 hours. Enjoy!
Are your wings thawed or frozen when you put them in the crockpot?
Frozen is perfect.
Did you use Frank's Red Hot or the pre-made Frank's Buffalo sauce (Red Hot + margarine already added)? I'll have to try these.
Frank's Buffalo Sauce. Enjoy!
Does it work without honey?
It would be less sweet but still fabulous! Enjoy!
Should wings be thawed first?
Frozen is perfect.
Maybe I missed it, are the wing thawed, or frozen when added to the crock pot?
Frozen is perfect.
I enjoy mild chicken wing . Could I get a recipe for them. I love using my slow cookers . I love casseroles ,soups & stews in them plus roasts .Could you send me recipes for these. Thank You for this sight.
You could easily swap out the milk sauce for the buffalo and it would be a perfect swap. Enjoy. If you would like our recipes in your inbox sign up for our email to receive new recipes daily. Enjoy!
MILD sauce, not Milk sauce. LOL
How long in the crock pot if the wings are thawed ?
I would check them after 3-4 hours and see how they are doing. Enjoy!
If they are thawed wings would you do them on high for 3-4 hours?
I would check them after 3-4 hours and see how they are doing. Enjoy!
Do you think these would be okay with bbq sauce?
BBQ Sauce would be amazing! Enjoy and let us know how it goes.
Thanks Donna!!! They came out so Yummy, but I seasoned the wings first with lots of garlic. I'm a garlic freak!!!! Musical Greetings from Miami!!!! 🙂
Thanks, sweet Donna!! They came out so Yummy…but I had to put lots of garlic!! I'm a Garlic freak!!! lol. Musical Greetings from Miami!!!! 😉
Do You Need To Use The Drummettes Only Or Is The Flat Side Ok To Use Too ??
Absolutely! Just watch your cook time.
I Want to make chicken legs in crock pot would this recipe work this work if I maybe tweaked amounts?
You absolutely could use chicken legs, just watch your time.
I made the Crock Pot Buffalo chicken wings and they were absolutely scrumptious. A real winner of a recipe and so easy.
Thanks
Should I set my broiler to HI or LO?
I set mine to hi, but stood right next to the oven. It will go from caramelized to burnt in a blink so keep an eye on them,
How many pounds of chicken wings would I need for 9 people with other food, such as barbecue. Also I do want flats, so how much time should I allow?
I'm giving this a try tonight on high in the crockpot. Thanks for the recipe Donna, Take care, Joe
OOOHHHh giddyness. I absolutely Lurve wings… and this would be a great way to get them prepped while sat under the blanket. I'm in South Africa and we generally don't have bottled "Buffalo sauce", or Franks for that matter, can I make my own, and would you possibly have a recipe I could follow.
Thanks Mills for the Idea.
YUMMY 😉
If I wanted to cook legs, how long I cook them for?
Looks like will be a tasty recipe to enjoy the weekend with family.
What about using breaded chicken tenders/wings?
I would not recommend using breaded chicken in the crockpot. The breading would break off. You can however coat them in the sauce and bake the breaded chicken. Enjot and let us know how it goes.
Would these turn out well just being cooked in the oven? I don't have a slow cooker but would so like to try it!
Combine sauce ingredients in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Whisk to combine. Bring to a boil for 3-5 minutes. Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature.
Place drumettes in a gallon size resealable container. Pour about ½ of sauce over top of drumettes. Reserve remaining sauce. Seal bag and massage to combine sauce and wings. Marinate 30 minutes on counter top.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Remove chicken wings from bag with tongs. Place on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, brush with reserved sauce halfway through cook time. Increase temperature to 425°F, generously brush with remaining sauce again and bake for 20 minutes until sauce is caramelized.
Serve and enjoy!
Donna Elick, you are very patient! Your recipe is lovely.
Making these right now! can't wait to see how they come out;-)