Olivia Carter
Buffalo wings are a popular appetizer and party food that are known for their spicy and tangy flavor. Traditionally, buffalo wings are deep-fried and then tossed in a sauce made of hot sauce and butter. However, if you want a healthier and easier alternative, you can try cooking buffalo wings in a slow cooker. This method allows the wings to cook slowly, resulting in tender and juicy meat that easily falls off the bone.
The slow cooker method also allows the wings to absorb the flavors of the sauce, resulting in a delicious and flavorful dish. Plus, using a slow cooker eliminates the need for constant monitoring, making it perfect for busy cooks who still want to enjoy delicious homemade buffalo wings. So, why not give it a try and wow your guests with this easy and tasty recipe?
To make buffalo wings in a slow cooker, you will need a few simple ingredients such as chicken wings, hot sauce, butter, garlic powder, and salt. The first step is to prep the wings by trimming the excess fat and separating them into drumettes and flats. Then, you can simply combine the hot sauce, butter, garlic powder, and salt in the slow cooker, add the wings, and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
Once the wings are fully cooked, you can transfer them to a baking sheet and broil them for a few minutes to get that crispy texture. Don’t forget to baste the wings with the sauce before broiling to ensure that they are coated with the delicious buffalo sauce. Finally, serve the wings with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing for a classic buffalo wings experience. Enjoy!
Step-By-Step Guide:
- Start by gathering all the ingredients you will need to make buffalo wings in a slow cooker: chicken wings, buffalo wing sauce, butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Next, clean the chicken wings by rinsing them under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the butter and stir until well combined.
- Place the chicken wings in the slow cooker and pour the buffalo wing sauce over them. Then, pour the melted butter mixture over the chicken wings.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the wings on high heat for 2-3 hours or on low heat for 4-5 hours. The chicken wings should be fully cooked and tender by the end of the cooking time.
- Once the wings are cooked, remove them from the slow cooker and place them on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Preheat your oven to broil. While the oven is preheating, brush the wings with additional buffalo wing sauce for extra flavor.
- Place the baking sheet with the wings under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, until the tops are crispy and browned. Keep a close eye on them to prevent them from burning.
- Remove the wings from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the buffalo wings with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Ingredients You Will Need:
Before you start cooking your delicious buffalo wings in a slow cooker, make sure you have the following ingredients ready:
1. Chicken Wings:
4 pounds of chicken wings are required for this recipe. Make sure they are fresh and properly cleaned.
2. Hot Sauce:
You will need a cup of hot sauce to give your buffalo wings that signature spicy kick. Choose your favorite brand or make your own.
3. Butter:
You will need half a cup of unsalted butter to balance out the heat of the hot sauce and give the wings a rich and creamy flavor.
4. Worcestershire Sauce:
Add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to enhance the umami taste of the buffalo wings.
5. Garlic Powder:
Sprinkle a teaspoon of garlic powder over the wings to give them a delicious garlic flavor.
6. Salt and Pepper:
Season the wings with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Celery and Carrot Sticks:
Serve your buffalo wings with some fresh celery and carrot sticks for a refreshing and crunchy accompaniment.
8. Blue Cheese Dressing:
Don’t forget the blue cheese dressing! Serve it as a dip for your buffalo wings to add a tangy and creamy element to each bite.
Make sure to gather all these ingredients before you start cooking and you’ll be ready to make the most delicious buffalo wings in your slow cooker!
Preparing The Sauce:
While the chicken wings are cooking in the slow cooker, it’s time to prepare the delicious buffalo sauce. The buffalo sauce is what gives the wings that tangy and spicy flavor that we all love.
To prepare the sauce, you will need the following ingredients:
- Hot sauce: Use your favorite hot sauce to add a spicy kick to the wings. Frank’s RedHot sauce is a popular choice.
- Butter: Melted butter will help balance out the heat from the hot sauce and give the sauce a rich and creamy texture.
- Garlic powder: A little bit of garlic powder adds some savory flavor to the sauce.
- Onion powder: Onion powder enhances the overall taste of the sauce and complements the other flavors.
- Worcestershire sauce: This sauce adds a depth of flavor and a touch of sweetness to the buffalo sauce.
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, you can start making the buffalo sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, stir in the hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook the sauce for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until all the ingredients are well combined. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings according to your preference. If you like your buffalo sauce spicier, you can add more hot sauce.
Once the chicken wings are cooked in the slow cooker, remove them from the slow cooker using tongs and transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over the wings and toss them gently to coat each wing evenly with the sauce. Use tongs or a spatula to make sure all the wings are coated. Let the wings sit in the sauce for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.
Now that you have prepared the delicious buffalo sauce, it’s time to serve the wings and enjoy! Serve the wings with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch or blue cheese dressing. And don’t forget plenty of napkins, because these buffalo wings are going to be finger-licking good!
Enjoy your homemade buffalo wings cooked to perfection in a slow cooker! They make a great appetizer or party food for any occasion.
Cooking The Wings:
1. After marinating the wings, remove them from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat your slow cooker on high heat.
3. Place the wings in the slow cooker, making sure not to overcrowd them. You may need to cook the wings in batches, depending on the size of your slow cooker.
4. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the wings on high heat for 2-3 hours, or on low heat for 4-6 hours. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and power of your slow cooker.
5. Halfway through the cooking time, carefully remove the lid and flip the wings using tongs. This will ensure that they cook evenly on both sides.
6. Once the wings are cooked through and tender, carefully remove them from the slow cooker and place them on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
7. Broil the wings in the oven for 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are crispy and golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to prevent them from burning.
8. Remove the wings from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
9. Serve the buffalo wings with your favorite dipping sauce, such as blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing.
10. Enjoy your delicious homemade buffalo wings!
Serving And Enjoying:
Once the buffalo wings are cooked to perfection in your slow cooker, it’s time to serve and enjoy them! Here are a few tips to make the most of this delicious dish:
Serving Suggestions:
- Buffalo wings are traditionally served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing. The crispiness of the celery balances out the spicy heat of the wings, while the creamy blue cheese dressing adds a tangy flavor.
- You can also serve the buffalo wings with ranch dressing, carrot sticks, or any other dipping sauce of your choice.
- If you prefer a milder version, you can reduce the amount of hot sauce used in the recipe or mix it with barbecue sauce for a sweet and spicy twist.
Side Dishes:
- Buffalo wings are usually served as an appetizer or party snack, but you can also enjoy them as a main dish. Pair them with a side of coleslaw, potato salad, or macaroni and cheese for a complete meal.
- Fries or sweet potato fries make a tasty addition to the buffalo wings as well. The crispy texture of the fries compliments the tender, juicy wings perfectly.
Remember, buffalo wings are best enjoyed hot and fresh out of the slow cooker. Serve them immediately to ensure they retain their crispiness.
Whether you’re hosting a game night or simply craving some spicy and flavorful wings, this slow cooker buffalo wings recipe is sure to be a hit. So gather your friends and family, set up a platter of delicious wings, and enjoy the finger-licking goodness!
Questions and answers
What are buffalo wings?
Buffalo wings are a popular appetizer dish made from chicken wings that are fried and coated in a spicy sauce. They originated in Buffalo, New York in the 1960s.
How do I cook buffalo wings in a slow cooker?
To cook buffalo wings in a slow cooker, you will need to first season the wings with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Then, place the seasoned wings into the slow cooker and pour in a mixture of buffalo sauce and melted butter. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours. Once the wings are tender, you can broil them in the oven for a few minutes to get crispy skin.
Can I use frozen chicken wings for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken wings for this recipe. However, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. It typically takes longer to cook frozen chicken wings in a slow cooker, so you may need to increase the cooking time by 1-2 hours.
What can I serve with buffalo wings?
Buffalo wings are often served with celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping. You can also serve them with carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or other crunchy vegetables. Additionally, you can serve them with french fries, potato wedges, or a side salad for a complete meal.
