Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings
These Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings are amazingly tender in just 8 minutes! They’re smothered in a sweet, spicy honey buffalo sauce for the perfect game day recipe!
I owe my brother for introducing me to buffalo chicken wings at his house years ago. He schooled me on the fine art of buffalo sauce, which I could’ve eaten with a spoon.
I got to work on my own recipe within the week, and naturally I turned to my Instant Pot to get the job done in no time at all.
These Instant Pot chicken wings are falling apart tender in minutes, and they’re coated in a finger licking good honey buffalo sauce.
This is one of my favorite tailgating snacks, and they never last long!
No Instant Pot? Try my air fryer chicken wings, which are addictively crisp and juicy in no time too!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- These Instant Pot wings are tender, juicy and coated in a spoon-worthy honey buffalo sauce.
- They cook up in minutes and are the ultimate game day appetizer.
- Wings may be prepared in advance, then broiled and coated in sauce just before serving.
Recipe ingredients
- Chicken wings. You’ll need 1 1/2 lbs. of chicken wings, which typically come in a package with a combination of flats and drums. If you prefer one or the other, ask your butcher if you can’t find them.
- Garlic powder. I coated my buffalo wings simply with garlic powder, salt and pepper as the buffalo sauce adds most of the flavor.
- Buffalo sauce. Use your favorite brand of buffalo hot sauce, such as Frank’s.
- Honey. I added honey for a bit of sweetness. It can be substituted with maple syrup or omitted altogether for a spicier sauce.
- Butter. The butter adds richness to the buffalo hot sauce.
How to make Instant Pot wings
These Instant Pot wings are so easy, and cook up so much faster than baked chicken wings.
Broiling the wings is optional, but I don’t recommend skipping this step as it’s essential for crispy chicken wings.
Pro tip: Cook the wings in advance then broil and coat with sauce just before serving. They will take longer to crisp up when cold, so broiling time will be a little bit longer.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Season the wings. Place 1 cup of water in the Instant Pot, followed by the trivet. Place the chicken wings on the trivet.
- Cook at High Pressure for 8 minutes, then quick release the pressure.
- Broil the chicken wings until crispy.
- Melt the butter in a small sauce pan.
- Add the buffalo sauce and honey and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Toss the chicken wings in buffalo sauce to coat.
Recipe FAQs
Instant Pot chicken wings take just 8 minutes of cooking time to become tender and juicy.
Cook frozen chicken wings for about 12 minutes at High Pressure in the Instant Pot.
Once cooked, remove from the Instant Pot, place on a foil lined rimmed baking sheet and broil until crispy.
Serving suggestions
There are a multitude of ways to serve these crisp, juicy Instant Pot chicken wings.
- Serve on a platter with crunchy veggies and Greek yogurt ranch dressing or your favorite store bought brand.
- Swap the buffalo sauce with homemade bbq sauce. You can also serve with an array of sauces including chimichurri sauce and pesto sauce to give guests options.
- Serve with air fryer sweet potato fries or air fryer potato skins for a satisfying game day spread.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Cook the buffalo wings in advance then broil and coat with sauce just before serving. They will take longer to crisp up when cold, so broiling time will be a little bit longer.
- You can coat the wings in sauce BEFORE broiling if you’d like your wings more caramelized than saucy.
- Broiling the wings is optional, but I don’t recommend skipping this step as it’s essential for crispy chicken wings.
- If using frozen chicken wings, cook for 12 minutes at High Pressure.
- I toned my sauce down a bit for my family, but if you like things spicier add even more buffalo hot sauce.
More Game Day recipes you’ll love!
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Instant Pot Chicken Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs. chicken wings I used a party pack already prepped into drummettes and flats
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons buffalo hot sauce I used Frank’s Red Hot Wings Buffalo Sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Homemade Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing for serving, optional
Instructions
- Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel, then season with the garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste.1.5 lbs. chicken wings, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper
- Place 1 cup of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place the trivet inside the Instant Pot and place the wings on top of the trivet.
- Secure the lid and cook at High Pressure for 8 minutes. Note that the Instant Pot takes 10-15 minutes of time to come to pressure before the cooking time starts. When the wings are done cooking, quick release the pressure by opening the venting valve and remove the lid when safe to do so.
- Preheat the broiler. Place the wings in a single layer on a foil lined baking sheet. Broil on the middle rack of the oven for 3-5 minutes per side or until the skin is golden brown and crisped. Remove from heat.
- Place the butter in small sauce pan and cook over medium low heat until melted. Add the buffalo sauce and honey and cook until simmering, about 2-3 minutes.4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 6 tablespoons buffalo hot sauce, 2 tablespoons honey
- Place the wings in a bowl and coat with the desired amount of sauce. Serve immediately with ranch dressing if desired and enjoy!Homemade Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
Notes
- Pro tip: Cook the wings in advance then broil and coat with sauce just before serving. They will take longer to crisp up when cold, so broiling time will be a little bit longer.
- You can coat the wings in sauce BEFORE broiling if you’d like your wings more caramelized than saucy.
- Broiling the wings is optional, but I don’t recommend skipping this step as it’s essential for crispy chicken wings.
- If using frozen chicken wings, cook for 12 minutes at High Pressure.
- This recipe is easily doubled to feed a crowd!
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This post was originally published in September 2018. The photos have been updated to include step by step photos and the post includes more recipe information.
4 Comments on “Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings”
I always forget how good wings taste until I have them at a party! Sooo good! I’m loving that you made an instant pot version. And this honey buffalo flavor is calling my name. I bet this would be a hit any time of the year!
We certainly enjoyed them over the summer too — they’re great year round!
These wings look finger-lickin good!! I was super late to adapt the Instant Pot too, and I’m in the same boat as you – I like it a lot! I need to make wings in it ASAP! 8 minutes?? So on this!
Isn’t the Instant Pot the best thing ever? Thanks Julia!