This Buffalo Ranch Wings recipe is a delicious twist on your classic buffalo wings. To elevate your Buffalo wing experience, I'll also show you how to whip up a creamy and flavorful ranch dressing that perfectly complements the zesty heat of the hot sauce. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this simple and delicious recipe!
I am happy to share that I partnered with Dairy Council of Florida to bring you this delicious game day favorite!
Football season is finally here! Which means one thing.
Buffalo Wings!!
If you are planning on throwing a football party, these wings need to find a spot on the menu as well as my creamsicle cocktail!
It's a nice change from classic buffalo wings made creamier and saucier!
Making a homemade ranch sauce is what makes these wings extra special. I promise the extra effort will go a long way!
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Homemade Ranch Dressing
Homemade ranch dressing is everything. No store-bought version compares.
You can add in your favorite fresh herbs and make it extra tangy.
The ingredients are:
- buttermilk
- mayo
- sour cream
- lemon juice
- dijon
- fresh dill
- fresh chives
- fresh parsley
The Buffalo Wing Sauce
Traditional Buffalo sauce is a simple yet flavorful combination of hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot) and melted butter. The hot sauce provides the heat, while the butter adds richness and mellows out the spiciness.
But instead of the BUTTER, I combined hot sauce with RANCH dressing. YES!!
It's SO good!
My go-to hot sauce is Frank's Hot Sauce because it's easy to find and delicious. Sometimes I use Frank's Wing Sauce like in this Buffalo Shrimp recipe. But if you want to make your own buffalo wing sauce, you can! It's not that difficult.
The ingredients are typically:
- your favorite hot sauce
- butter
- vinegar
- spices (garlic/onion)
Cooking Your Wings
Deep frying your wings is the best way to get that crunchy exterior on your wings so that's what I choose to do for these wings.
But because wings can take time to cook, I pop them in the microwave for 5 minutes before I fry them.
Then I fry a few at a time in oil until the skin gets crispy golden brown and the interior is 165 degrees F.
Cornstarch & Baking Powder Magic
I do not use flour to coat my chicken wings.
Instead, I find that a combination of cornstarch and baking powder help the wings get SUPER crispy! Try it and see for yourself! 🙂
You can replace cornstarch with arrowroot starch if you have. If you do not have either, flour works as an alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
How spicy are Buffalo wings?
The spiciness of Buffalo wings can vary depending on the hot sauce used and the amount of heat you prefer. Generally, Buffalo wings have a moderate level of spiciness, but you can adjust the heat by using milder or hotter hot sauce.
What is the best dipping sauce for Buffalo wings?
The most popular dipping sauces for Buffalo wings are ranch dressing and blue cheese dressing but I do not think any extra sauce is necessary for this recipe!
The ranch complements the spicy flavor of the wings and provides a cooling contrast. Some people also enjoy pairing them with celery sticks to add a crunchy, refreshing element.
Can I bake Buffalo wings instead of frying them?
Yes, you can bake Buffalo wings instead of frying them to reduce the calorie content and make them a bit healthier. Simply bake them at 400 degrees F instead of microwaving or frying until cooked through.
How can I make milder Buffalo wings for kids or those who prefer less heat?
To make milder Buffalo wings, you can use a milder hot sauce or reduce the amount of hot sauce (add more ranch) in the sauce mixture. You can also add a bit of melted butter to mellow out the spiciness.
Can I make Buffalo wings in an air fryer?
Yes, you can make Buffalo wings in an air fryer for a healthier cooking option. Simply follow the same steps as frying but cook them in the air fryer until they are crispy, and then toss them in the Buffalo ranch sauce.
Can I Make These In Advance?
Yes! The ranch/buffalo sauce can certainly be made days ahead of time. As for frying your wings, since they take less than 5 minutes, you may want to microwave them and pop them in the frying last minute. OR you can fry them all and simply leave them in the oven at 200 degrees F to keep warm. Then toss in the sauce last minute to maintain crispiness.
Other Game Day Favorites To Try!
📖 Recipe
Buffalo Ranch Wings
Equipment
- 1 Spider *great for frying!
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. chicken wings
- â…“ cup corn starch + 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¼ cup Franks Hot Sauce
- oil for frying (*vegetable, corn, safflower or canola)
Ranch Dressing
- ½ cup mayo
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon dijon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped herbs (chives, dill, basil)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Make sure your chicken wings are fully thawed and dry.
- Add wings to two plates and microwave on high 5 minutes. You may need to wait for one plate to finish before adding the other.
- While par-cooking your wings, add ALL ingredients for the ranch dressing to a large bowl along with the hot sauce. Mix well.
- Add corn starch and baking powder to a large bowl and set aside.
- When wings are out of the microwave, drain juices before tossing them in the corn starch & baking powder to coat thoroughly.
- Preheat oil in a large pot over medium high heat until oil reaches 375 degrees F.
- Add wings to hot oil in small batches and fry for 4-5 more minutes or until fully cooked inside and golden brown on the exterior. Repeat until all wings are done. Let grease drain on rack or paper towels.
- While still warm, toss the fried wings in the buffalo ranch sauce and serve immediately!
Video
Recipe Notes
- Serve any extra ranch dressing on the side or double the recipe for a hefty amount of dipping sauce on the side.
- Seasoning your wings with salt & pepper before cooking will help develop another layer of flavor.
- Look for chicken WINGETTES which are smaller since they have the wing tip cut off. If you like the drumettes, you will have to deal with the tips. See above for tips!
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