Crispy Baked Chicken Wings Recipe (Dairy Free)

Name: Crispy Baked Chicken Wings Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 3-pound packages chicken wings (or drumettes), tips removed; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1 cup buffalo sauce (or your favorite wing sauce)

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side view of chicken wings recipe and celery on a plate

Why I love this baked chicken wings recipe

The first time I made baked chicken wings was for my peanut butter and jelly wings recipe, and I knew then that I would never make wings any other way.

And, I promise you that after tasting these wings, you’ll never want to fry (or buy) them again. Baking the wings in the oven gives such a great crisp to the skin and makes the wings healthier, so you can enjoy more without the guilt.

But, you can’t just throw wings in the oven and call it a day. I have a trick for getting them even crispier than just your average chicken wing.

More game day appetizers and snacks: skyline chili dip / chipotle salsa / homemade ranch dip / stovetop popcorn / peanut butter pretzel bites / crispy onion straws

crispy baked chicken wings with buffalo sauce and celery on a plate

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe

Ingredients note: Be careful when choosing your buffalo sauce. Some of them contain butter, so if you want these to be dairy free, you’ll need to read the label and choose one that works for you. We use Frank’s brand, and haven’t had any issues.

baking sheet lined with parchment paper and rows of raw chicken wings

baked chicken wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

How to bake chicken wings in the oven

Prep. Start by preheating your oven, line your baking sheets with parchment or non-stick aluminum foil.

Next, combine the cornstarch, flour and baking powder in a large bowl. Add the chicken wings and toss them around until they’re evenly coated.

Bake the wings. Place the chicken wings on your baking sheets and pop them into the oven for 45 – 55 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown and crispy. You’ll also want to make sure they reach a minimum of 165˚F

bowl full of chicken wings covered in sauce

a close up view of a pile of chicken wings in a bowl

Toss them in sauce. Remove the wings from the oven and transfer them to a large bowl (I clean mine while the wings bake), and add about 3/4 cup of sauce and toss until the wings are coated. Add more to taste.

Serve with ranch. We love serving our chicken wings with our favorite dairy free ranch dressing or homemade ranch dip and some celery sticks.

holding up a chicken wing for a close view

FAQ’s and tips for making crispy chicken wings

Can I make chicken wings ahead of time?

Making your chicken wings ahead of time can be a great way to get them extra crispy or even help you cut down on the prep time before serving. If you plan to make them ahead of time, bake them up to temperature the first time, cool, and store.
When ready to serve, bake until heated they’re heated to 165 and then cover in sauce as directed.

Do you put sauce on wings before or after cooking?

While you can do either, putting the sauce on before baking will have the sauce sink into the skin of the chicken wings and won’t give you as crispy of a wing. By putting the sauce on at the end you can ensure that your chicken wing gets nice and crisp before the sauce is applied.

How do you know when baked chicken wings are done?

You want to double check the temperature of your wings before eating, for proper food safety. You can check to see if they are done by using an instant read thermometer in the thickest area of the wing. You want it to read 165 degrees. If you need more time, place them back into the oven for a few minutes and then test again.

healthy dairy free crispy baked chicken wings

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