Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Wings Recipe

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These slow cooker buffalo wings are fall-off-the-bone tender on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside. Ready in just a few hours with minimal effort, these wings are perfect for game day, parties, or a delicious dinner with almost no hands-on time.

Plate of saucy buffalo chicken wings with celery, carrot sticks, and ranch dip.

Looking for the easiest way to make a crowd-pleasing appetizer? These crock pot chicken wings combine the convenience of slow cooking with the crispy finish of a quick broil. The result is irresistibly saucy wings with that signature buffalo flavor that everyone will devour.

For more game day inspiration, check out my 25 Easy Football Food Recipe Ideas for Game Day or try my Slow Cooker Spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip if you love that buffalo chicken flavor!

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

Set it and forget it: Using your slow cooker means minimal hands-on time. Just mix the sauce ingredients, pour over the wings, and let your crockpot do the work while you handle other tasks or preparations.
Always tender: The slow cooking process ensures that your chicken wings come out perfectly tender every time. No more worrying about dry or tough wings!
Customizable heat level: You can easily adjust the spiciness by choosing your favorite buffalo sauce or adding more brown sugar to tone down the heat for those who prefer a milder flavor.
Perfect for parties: These wings are ideal for game day gatherings, potlucks, or any event where you need to feed a crowd. The recipe can be doubled if you have a large slow cooker, and the wings stay warm in the sauce.

Buffalo chicken wings in a slow cooker, garnished with chopped parsley.

What Are Buffalo Wings?

Buffalo wings are chicken wings tossed in a tangy, spicy sauce that originated in Buffalo, New York, in the 1960s. Traditional buffalo wings are typically deep-fried and then coated in a mixture of hot sauce and butter, creating that distinctive tangy, spicy flavor that has become an American classic.

This slow cooker version puts a convenient twist on the original by using your crockpot to cook the wings until tender, then finishing them under the broiler for that perfect crispy exterior while maintaining the authentic buffalo flavor. The addition of brown sugar in this recipe adds a subtle sweetness that balances the heat of the buffalo sauce.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Wings Ingredients

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

Chicken wings – You’ll need 4 pounds of wings for this recipe. You can use fresh or frozen party wings with flats and drumettes already separated for convenience. If using frozen wings, no need to thaw them first!
Buffalo sauce – Frank’s RedHot wings sauce is the classic choice for authentic buffalo flavor, but any buffalo-style hot sauce will work. You’ll need about 1½ cups for cooking plus extra for basting.
Brown sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness that balances the spicy buffalo sauce perfectly. This helps create a more complex flavor profile than traditional buffalo wings.
Garlic powder – Provides a savory depth of flavor without the risk of burned garlic pieces that can occur with fresh garlic in the slow cooker.
Onion powder – Works with the garlic powder to create a full-bodied flavor base that complements the spicy buffalo sauce.
Salt – Enhances all the other flavors in the dish. Be cautious with the amount if your buffalo sauce is already quite salty.
Black pepper – Adds a subtle spiciness that works well with the buffalo sauce for a more complex heat profile.
Butter – Creates richness and helps mellow the heat of the buffalo sauce. The butter also helps the sauce cling to the wings better.

Frozen chicken wings, buffalo sauce, spices, butter, and parsley on a white surface.

Substitutions and Additions

Honey – Substitute for brown sugar for a different kind of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the spicy buffalo sauce.
Cayenne pepper – Add ¼-½ teaspoon for extra heat if you like your wings extra spicy.
Ranch seasoning packet – Mix in a tablespoon of dry ranch seasoning to the sauce for a tangy, herby twist.
BBQ sauce – Replace half the buffalo sauce with your favorite BBQ sauce for buffalo-BBQ fusion wings, similar to my Hot Cheeto Chicken Tenders which also combines flavors.
Smoked paprika – Add a teaspoon for a smoky dimension to your buffalo wings.

How to Make Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Wings (step-by-step directions)

Raw chicken wings in a slow cooker and buffalo sauce ingredients in bowls.

STEP 1. Place your chicken wings (fresh or frozen) directly into the slow cooker pot. There’s no need to arrange them in any particular way as they’ll cook evenly. (Photo 1)

STEP 2. In a medium bowl, combine the buffalo sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the brown sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth. (Photos 2 & 3)

Chicken wings in a slow cooker, then topped with butter cubes in the next step.

STEP 3. Pour the buffalo sauce mixture evenly over the chicken wings in the slow cooker. Cut the butter into 4 pieces and place them on top of the wings. (Photos 4 & 5)

Chicken wings in sauce in a slow cooker and on foil-lined baking sheets, baked.

STEP 4. Cover with the lid and cook frozen wings on HIGH for 3-4 hours or fresh/thawed wings on LOW for 4-5 hours. The wings are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F and the meat is tender. (Photo 6)

STEP 5. When the wings are fully cooked, preheat your oven’s broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray or lightly grease with butter.

STEP 6. Transfer the cooked wings from the slow cooker to the prepared baking sheet using tongs, arranging them in a single layer. Brush or baste the wings with additional buffalo sauce. (Photos 7)

STEP 7. Broil the wings for 3-4 minutes, then flip them over, baste again with more buffalo sauce, and broil for another 3-4 minutes until they reach your desired level of crispiness. (Photo 8)

STEP 8. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing, carrot sticks, and celery

Plate of buffalo wings with ranch dip, celery, and carrot sticks.

Recipe Tips

Pat wings dry before broiling: For maximum crispiness, pat the cooked wings with paper towels before placing them on the baking sheet to broil.
Watch carefully when broiling: Broilers can quickly burn food, so keep a close eye on your wings during this final step. Every broiler is different, so adjust timing as needed.
Layer the sauce: For extra saucy wings, baste multiple times during the broiling process, applying a fresh coat of buffalo sauce each time you flip the wings.
Use a large slow cooker: A 7-quart slow cooker works best for this recipe. If your slow cooker is smaller, consider reducing the recipe by half to ensure the wings cook properly.
Avoid overcrowding: When broiling, make sure the wings aren’t touching each other on the baking sheet. You may need to work in batches for maximum crispiness.

Storing Tips

Storage: Allow the wings to cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container or zip-top bag.
Refrigerator: Store leftover buffalo wings in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They make a great quick snack or meal when reheated.
Freezing: These wings can be frozen for up to 2 months. Freeze them in a single layer first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag once frozen.
Reheating: For the best results, reheat the wings in an oven preheated to 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. You can also use an air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes. Microwave reheating works but wings won’t stay crispy.

Serving Suggestions

These slow cooker buffalo wings pair perfectly with my Easy Hot Party dips: 4 Dips In One Pan! for an amazing game day spread. For a complementary appetizer, try my Appetizer Ring: Pigs In A Blanket Ring Chili Cheese Bake.

Create a complete game day feast by serving these wings alongside my Warm Reuben Dip with crackers and a batch of 3-Minute Fall Chex Party Snack Mix for a variety of finger foods your guests will love.

Buffalo chicken wings with ranch dip, celery, and carrot sticks on a platter.

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Recipe FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken wings in my slow cooker?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken wings in this recipe! When using frozen wings, cook them on HIGH for 3-4 hours in your slow cooker. This helps them move through the temperature danger zone (40°F to 140°F) more quickly for food safety.

Why do we need to broil the wings after slow cooking?

Slow cookers create a moist cooking environment that makes wings tender but not crispy. The quick broil at the end creates that desirable crispy exterior while maintaining the tender, juicy interior. Don’t skip this step for the best texture!

How can I make my buffalo wings more or less spicy?

To increase the heat, add cayenne pepper to your sauce mixture or choose a spicier buffalo sauce. To decrease the heat, add more brown sugar or substitute part of the buffalo sauce with BBQ sauce or even ranch dressing for a milder, creamier wing.

Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?

Yes, but you’ll need a very large slow cooker (at least 10 quarts) to accommodate double the ingredients. If doubling, make sure the wings aren’t packed too tightly in the slow cooker, as this can lead to uneven cooking. You may need to increase cooking time slightly.

What’s the best way to serve these buffalo wings at a party?

Keep the wings warm by transferring them back to the slow cooker (after broiling) set to WARM. Serve with small plates, plenty of napkins, and dipping sauces like ranch and blue cheese dressing. Include carrot and celery sticks on the side for a traditional buffalo wing experience.

Need More Appetizer Recipes? Try These:

Plate of buffalo chicken wings with celery and carrot sticks.

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