Crock Pot Hot Wings

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Crispy on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside, these Crock Pot Hot Wings cook up quickly and easily for a tasty appetizer, mid-day snack, lunch, or dinner.

Chicken wing being dipped into a bowl of creamy ranch sauce, with chopped parsley garnish and a blurred background.

Perfectly seasoned for a sweet yet spicy flavor, these chicken wings are marinated overnight in a variety of spices and brown sugar and then tossed with buffalo sauce before slow cooking in the crock pot.

Once cooked we throw them under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp up and then toss them in buffalo sauce again. The result is fall-off-the-bone tender chicken that’s loaded with flavor. Absolutely delicious!

We love eating these hot wings as an appetizer, game day snack, or paired with some salad and potatoes for supper.

If you love this recipe for slow cooker hot wings, you’ll love these Slow Cooker Turkey Wings, Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings, Tequila Lime Chicken Wings Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings and these Hot Honey Chicken Wings.

Why You Will Love This Crock Pot Hot Wings Recipe

Flavor Explosion: The combination of spices and buffalo sauce creates a tantalizing flavor profile that your family will love.
Tender and Juicy: Slow cooking the wings ensures they're cooked to perfection—bone tender on the inside with a crispy exterior.
Easy Prep: With just a few simple steps, this easy appetizer is beginner-friendly and perfect for busy days when you need a delicious meal without the fuss.
Versatile: These slow cooker buffalo wings are perfect for a game day spread, family dinners, or any occasion where you want to impress with a crowd-pleasing dish.
Customizable: You can adjust the spice level to your preference by adding more or less buffalo sauce, making it suitable for everyone from mild to spicy lovers.

Ingredients

Chicken Wings: You can use whole wings, chicken drumettes, or boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or frozen whole wings from the frozen section of the grocery store.
Buffalo Sauce: Adds a tangy, spicy kick to the crockpot chicken wings. You can make your own homemade buffalo sauce by combining hot sauce, butter, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Alternatively, you can use store-bought buffalo sauce or your favorite hot sauce. Or check out our Spicy Jalapeno Hot Sauce for an added kick!
Brown Sugar: Provides a touch of sweetness to balance the heat from the spices and wing sauce. You can substitute it with honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
Seasonings: A blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and black enhances the savory flavor of the wings.

See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

Variations

Change up the seasonings: The flavor variations are unlimited; choose whichever spices or seasonings you have on hand.
Use a different cut of chicken: Try boneless thighs or boneless wings instead of traditional wings.
Modify the sauce: Swap the buffalo sauce for barbecue sauce or your favorite marinade.

How to Make Hot Wings in the Crock Pot

Raw chicken pieces seasoned with spices in a clear glass bowl on a marble countertop.

Step 1: Season the Chicken. Place the fresh chicken wings in a large bowl and toss them until they're evenly coated with the spice mix. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the wings to a freezer bag, then refrigerate them overnight to marinate.

Chicken wings in slow cooker and topped with buffalo sauce.

Step 2: Add to the Slow Cooker. Transfer the marinated raw chicken wings to the slow cooker and add the buffalo sauce.

Slow cooker hot wings after cooking in juices.

Step 3: Cook the Wings. Cook covered on low for 3-4 hours. Be sure not to overcook the wings; they should be tender but not falling apart.

A tray of marinated chicken wings arranged on a wire rack.

Step 4: Broil the Wings. transfer the cooked wings from the slow cooker to a wire rack on top of a baking pan covered with foil.

Brush applying hot sauce on chicken wings laid out on a wire rack.

Step 5: Add More Sauce. Brush the wings with buffalo sauce and then give the wings a quick broil for 5 minutes on each side or until they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F using a meat thermometer. Be sure to check the wings frequently during broiling to prevent burning.

Buffalo chicken wings with celery and carrot sticks, centered around a bowl of ranch dressing, garnished with parsley.

Step 6: Serve. Brush with more sauce and serve the bone-tender hot wings with your favorite choice of accompaniments such as blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, carrot sticks, celery sticks, or a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Enjoy!

If you love these hot wings you've got to try these Hot Honey Chicken Wings or our Easy Crock Pot Salsa Chicken.

Hot wings coated in a glossy orange sauce in the slow cooker garnished with chopped parsley.

Storage

Refrigeration: Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: To freeze, place the cooled crockpot wings in a freezer-safe container or bag. Be sure to remove as much air as possible. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating: Reheat the wings in a preheated oven or air fryer at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until they are heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave them in 30-second intervals until they are warmed to your liking.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe for crock pot wings is excellent for a mid-day snack, lunch, or dinner. Here are some great examples of what to serve them with:

Pair it with this broccoli salad or this mixed green salad with fruit and nuts for lunch.
Make for dinner with crispy smashed red potatoes, baked cheesy scalloped potatoes, or these air fryer hasselback potatoes.
Prepare and serve as an appetizer with these air fryer pepperoni rolls.
Serve with a dipping sauce such as blue cheese dressing, homemade hot pepper sauce, ranch dip, or your favorite BBQ sauce to enhance the flavor experience.

A plate of slow cooker hot wings with a bowl of sauce on the side.

Recipe Tips

Marinate Overnight: For maximum flavor, marinate the wings overnight to allow the spices to penetrate the wings.
Use a Meat Thermometer: Ensure the wings are cooked to perfection by using a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F.
Broil for Crispiness: Broiling the wings after slow cooking adds a crispy texture to the exterior, mimicking the traditional fried wings.
Line the Baking Sheet: To make cleanup easier, line the baking sheet with aluminum foil before broiling the wings.
Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Arrange the wings in a single layer on the baking rack to ensure even browning and crisping.
Adjust Spice Level: Customize the spice level of the wings by adjusting the amount of buffalo sauce.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these wings in an air fryer instead of broiling?

Yes, you can air fry the wings at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they turn crispy and are cooked through. Adjust cooking time as needed depending on the size of your air fryer and wings.

Can I cook the wings on high in the slow cooker instead of low?

While low heat ensures tender, juicy wings, you can cook them on high for 1-2 hours if you're short on time, be sure to monitor the wings closely to prevent overcooking.

Can I use frozen chicken wings for this recipe?

It's best to use fresh chicken wings but if you are using frozen wings, be sure to thaw them completely before marinating.

Buffalo chicken wings served with celery, carrots, and dipping sauce on a plate.

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