Game day is a perfect time to indulge in some of your favorite foods—dips, hoagies, nachos, pizza or classic buffalo wings. Buffalo wings, when done right, are crispy, saucy and packed with flavor. Making them is quite a task because of the mess of deep frying. Plus, we all know that deep frying isn’t the healthiest cooking method in the world. To overcome these challenges, I set out to create a version of buffalo wings that are crispy (gummy wings need not apply!), saucy and a bit healthier than a lot of restaurant wings—and these do not disappoint! Using baking powder to coat your wings helps to create that crispiness that we all crave in the perfect wing.
I recommend that you serve these up on a huge platter with our ranch and buffalo blue cheese dips (recipes included) with some traditional accompaniments like carrot and celery sticks. I like to throw in some bell pepper slices and cucumber spears too to cool down the spiciness while ramping up the health factor. With these yummy dips, no one will ever notice that you’re secretly trying to get them to eat more veggies. I won’t tell if you don’t…
Related Reading: SPICY BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP
Oven-Crisp Wings
– 4 lbs. chicken wings, party style (drumettes separated from the wingettes)
– 1 TBSP baking powder
– 1½ tsp. garlic salt
– 1 tsp paprika
– ½ tsp onion powder
– ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
– 1 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
– 1 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Buffalo Sauce
– ½ cup buffalo sauce (like Franks Red Hot)
– 2 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
– 1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
– 1 clove of garlic, finely minced
Garnish (Optional)
– 2 pickles, diced
– 1 TBSP dried minced onion rehydrated in 2 TBSP warm water
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 250⁰ F. Insert a baking rack into a large baking sheet.
Prepare the wings–this step is very important. You need to dry the wings really well to make sure that they will get crispy. Use a paper towel to dry them individually and don’t skimp on this part! As you dry the wings, place them into a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix the baking powder, garlic salt, paprika, onion powder and pepper, then sprinkle the mixture over top of the wings. Toss wings to coat evenly with the spice mixture.
Arrange the coated wings in a single layer on the rack in the baking sheet. Make sure that they are not touching each other so that they don’t steam in the oven. Brush the tops of the wings with the butter and extra virgin olive oil mixture.
Place the wings in the preheated oven and bake at 250⁰ F for 30 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400⁰ F and bake for another 45-50 minutes. While the wings bake, combine the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl. When the wings are golden brown and the skin is crispy, remove from the oven.
Place the cooked wings in a large bowl and drizzle with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly.
Serve on a platter surrounded by fresh veggies and dipping sauces. Garnish with pickle and minced onion for an extra kick of flavor.
Nutrition Facts (about 4 wings): Calories: 300; Carbs: 1g; Fat: 22g; Protein: 22g
Ranch Dressing And Dipping Sauce
– ¼ cup mayonnaise
– ¾ cup low-fat Greek yogurt
– ¼ cup buttermilk
– 1 tsp white vinegar
– 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
– 2 TBSP minced fresh parsley
– ½ tsp dried dill
– 1 clove garlic, finely minced
– 1 tsp onion powder
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, buttermilk, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce in a medium sized bowl. Whisk until they form a smooth mixture.
Add remaining ingredients. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the dressing to thicken up.
Nutritional Facts (about 2 TBSP): Calories: 52; Carbs: 2g; Fat: 4g; Protein: 2g
Buffalo Blue Cheese Dressing
– ¼ cup mayonnaise
– ¾ cup low-fat Greek yogurt
– ¼ cup buttermilk
– 1 tsp white vinegar
– 1-2 TBSP buffalo sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot)
– ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
– ½ cup blue cheese crumbles
– 1 clove garlic, finely minced
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, buttermilk, vinegar, buffalo sauce and Worcestershire sauce in a medium sized bowl. Whisk until they form a smooth mixture.
Add blue cheese crumbles and garlic and stir to combine. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the dressing to thicken up.
Nutritional Facts (about 2 TBSP): Calories: 56; Carbs: 2g; Fat: 4g; Protein: 3g