Buffalo boneless wings, also known as buffalo chicken tenders, are a popular bar food and appetizer. They consist of breaded and fried chicken tenders that are coated in a cayenne pepper hot sauce and butter or margarine sauce for a spicy and flavorful dish. But what exactly are the ingredients that make up buffalo boneless wings?
Chicken
The main ingredient in buffalo boneless wings is chicken tenders or chicken breast meat slices. The chicken provides the base protein and is then breaded and fried before being coated in sauce. High quality chicken tenders result in more tender buffalo boneless wings.
Boneless vs Bone-In Wings
Traditional buffalo wings are made using whole chicken wings that are cut into drummettes and flats. The bones are left in the wings when frying them. Boneless wings remove the bones before breading and frying the meat. While traditional bone-in wings have more flavor from the marrow, boneless wings are easier to eat.
Common Cuts of Chicken Used
The most common sources of chicken meat for boneless wings include:
- Chicken tenderloins – Tenderloin is located under the breast meat and comes pre-cut into long strips perfect for boneless wings.
- Chicken breast meat – Sliced into smaller pieces to resemble tenderloins.
- Ground and formed chicken – Ground up chicken breast meat that is reshaped into strips or nuggets.
Chicken tenderloins result in the most tender and best textured boneless wings, while ground and formed chicken has the softest texture.
Breading
Before the chicken is fried, it is coated in a breading or batter. The breading helps seal in the juices and gives the boneless wings a crispy outer crust.
Dry Breadcrumbs
A basic breading can consist of dry breadcrumbs or panko. The chicken is dipped in egg wash or buttermilk then dredged through the crumbs to coat.
Flour
An all-purpose flour or cornstarch dredge is also commonly used. The tenders are dredged through flour before frying for a crispy coating.
Wet Batters
Using wet batters can make the coating extra crispy and crunchy. Common batters include:
- Beer batter – Made with beer, flour, and seasoning
- Tempura batter – A very light crispy batter made with cold water and flour
- Buttermilk batter – Buttermilk or milk mixed with eggs and flour
The batter clinging closely to the chicken creates a deliciously crispy crust.
Frying Oil
Traditionally, buffalo wings are deep fried, completely submerging the wings in hot oil. Common oils used for deep frying include:
- Vegetable oil
- Canola oil
- Peanut oil
- Corn oil
For the highest quality flavor, peanut oil or lard are ideal choices for frying. Pan frying with a shallow layer of oil is also an option.
Frying Temperature
The oil temperature for frying boneless wings is between 350-375°F. Higher temperatures may burn the exterior before the inside is cooked. Lower temperatures will create greasy wings. Carefully monitoring the oil temperature results in perfectly crispy wings.
Buffalo Wing Sauce
The signature flavor of buffalo boneless wings comes from the spicy cayenne pepper hot sauce and butter sauce combo. While the exact recipes vary between restaurants, the classic sauce only requires a few simple ingredients.
Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce
The quintessential ingredient is a vinegar-based cayenne pepper hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot or Crystal. The level of spiciness can vary from a mild to an extra spicy hot sauce depending on preference.
Butter
Melted butter is mixed with the hot sauce to balance out the heat. Traditionally, unsalted butter is used. Margarine or olive oil can be used as substitutes.
Ratio of Butter to Hot Sauce
The classic buffalo sauce uses a 2:1 ratio of hot sauce to butter. For example:
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
More butter will result in a milder flavor and thicker sauce.
Other Seasonings
In addition to hot sauce and butter, seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, or red pepper flakes may be added.
The sauce is tossed with the fried boneless wings to coat them before serving.
Serving Buffalo Boneless Wings
Properly cooked buffalo boneless wings are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside with the signature spicy coating of buffalo sauce. They can be served hot right after saucing or allowed to sit for a short time to allow flavors to meld.
Sauces
Additional wing sauces are often provided for dipping such as blue cheese or ranch dressing to balance heat.
Vegetables
Celery sticks and carrot sticks along with blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping often accompany buffalo boneless wings as a cooler, lighter complement.
Extras
Other items like hot sauce, lemon wedges, and extra dressings allow customization of the wings to preferred spice level and flavor.
Cooking Methods
While deep frying then saucing results in the most authentic buffalo boneless wings, there are some alternative cooking methods to consider.
Oven Baked
Baking chicken wings in the oven reduces fat and allows for custom seasoning. Baked boneless wings will have a crispy outside and tender inside when cooked at a high temp.
Air Fryer
Air fryers create a similar crispiness to deep frying with significantly less oil. The boneless wings come out with a crunchy crust and moist interior.
Grilled
Cooking the wings on a grill adds a smoky charred flavor. Baste grilled wings in sauce during the last few minutes to finish.
Stovetop
Pan frying boneless wings in one layer on the stovetop cuts down on oil for a healthier version. Make sure to brown both sides.
Different Flavor Varieties
While the original is tossed in tangy buffalo style hot sauce, boneless wings are extremely versatile to be flavored in different styles. Some other popular options include:
Barbecue
Tossed in a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce for a saucy wing.
Teriyaki
Coated in a salty-sweet glazy teriyaki sauce.
Garlic Parmesan
Tossed in melted garlic butter and parmesan cheese.
Mango Habanero
Mixed with a sweet yet spicy mango habanero sauce.
Honey Sriracha
Coated in a blend of sweet honey and savory sriracha.
Lemon Pepper
Seasoned with zesty lemon pepper seasoning.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional value of buffalo boneless wings can vary significantly based on the cooking method and ingredients used. Some general estimates for a 6-8 piece serving include:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 370-850 |
| Total Fat | 18-50g |
| Carbohydrates | 15-30g |
| Protein | 25-40g |
Buffalo boneless wings are a high protein food. However, the traditional fried preparation also makes them high in calories and fat, especially saturated fat. Opting for oven baked instead can reduce the fat and calorie content.
Cost Analysis
The ingredient costs for preparing buffalo boneless wings at home for 6-8 portions are approximately:
- Chicken tenderloins (2 lbs) – $8
- Flour & eggs for coating – $2
- Oil for frying – $0.50
- Hot sauce (1/4 cup) – $0.25
- Butter (4 tablespoons) – $0.25
Total Cost: $11
The cost to purchase 6-8 prepared buffalo boneless wings from a restaurant averages $12-15. Making them at home provides a savings of around $1-4 per serving.
Storage
Properly stored, leftover buffalo boneless wings will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Reheating them in the oven or air fryer will restore the crispy texture.
Short-Term Storage
For briefly holding freshly cooked wings, store in a 200°F oven for up to 2 hours. This will help retain the crispy coating.
Refrigeration
Place cooled leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge. Sauced wings may become soggy.
Freezer
For longer freezing, flash freeze sauced wings on a sheet pan first. Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags. They will keep for 2-3 months.
Conclusion
With its crispy fried coating and signature buffalo hot sauce flavor, it’s easy to see why boneless wings are such a popular appetizer. The main ingredients like chicken, flour, and hot sauce are all relatively simple components to make a tasty end product. While traditionally fried, alternate cooking methods can reduce fat and calories. Tossed in any number of flavors, customizable boneless wings make for a fun and delicious snack or meal.