Grilled Buffalo Wings

Name: Grilled Buffalo Wings
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken wings (about 10 - 16, depending on size); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon BBQ rub (we used McCormick); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 cup Buffalo Wild Wings Medium Sauce or your favorite wing sauce

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Grilled Buffalo Wings are my first pick for a game day spread of Easy Appetizers you can eat with your hands. The chicken is juicy, the edges get a little char, and the Buffalo sauce has just enough kick to make you want to go right back for another piece.

These grilled chicken wings are easy to make and packed with smoky flavor. They’re a great choice when you need an easy appetizer for a crowd, but they work just as well as a casual dinner. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces and sides, or make them part of a bigger game day spread.

A close-up of sauced chicken wings with browned edges fills the space below a cream header. Text reads “Grilled Buffalo Wings” and “Smoky, juicy & saucy,” with Blogghetti.com in a dark footer.

Grilled Buffalo Wings are the first thing requested by my family whenever football season hits. Game day around our house just isn’t complete without a spread of smoky appetizers hot off the grill. There is something about that combination of crispy charred edges, juicy chicken, and spicy sauce that gets everyone crowding around the food before the first kickoff even happens.

Whenever these wings hit the grill, I usually add a few more favorites to the menu. Sometimes I make my Grilled Garlic Honey Boneless Wings alongside the traditional bone-in wings so everyone can grab their favorite. A batch of Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers and my Spinach Dip Recipe usually disappear pretty quickly, too.

Table of Contents

Grilled Buffalo Wings

The Buffalo sauce is what you taste first, but the barbecue rub gives the chicken its own flavor underneath. We used a store-bought BBQ rub with a little extra garlic powder and black pepper. The grill adds a smoky edge and gives the skin time to brown before it gets brushed with sauce. That’s how you get those dark little spots that are so good next to the juicy meat.

This recipe is perfect when you’re craving wings but don’t want to spend all evening making them. There’s about five minutes of prep and 20 minutes of grilling, and you can use a bottled sauce you already know you like. A milder sauce will still give you that classic Buffalo flavor if you’re serving people who prefer less heat.

An overhead view of Buffalo chicken wings with browned patches piled on a white rectangular platter set diagonally on a marble countertop. A bowl of white dip and a striped towel sit along the upper edge.

Timesaving Tips and Variations

Buying split wings saves a little prep, and you can adjust the heat depending on who’s eating. You can bake the wings, too, if you’d rather cook indoors.

Buy split wings. Look for a package of flats and drumettes so you can skip cutting whole wings at the joints.
Choose the heat level. Mild Buffalo sauce works for a mixed crowd. Put a hotter sauce on the table for anyone who wants more kick.
Try a different wing sauce. Honey BBQ is a good pick if you like a sweeter wing, and garlic Parmesan is great if you want something savory.
Set aside extra sauce first. Pour any sauce you plan to serve at the table into a separate bowl before brushing the wings.
Bake them in the oven. Check the recipe card notes below for the full baking temperature and timing.

I love the flavor these wings get on the grill, and the oven is handy when it’s too cold to cook outside. Either way, that spicy sauce is what makes them a favorite at our house.

What to Serve with Grilled Buffalo Wings

The heat from the sauce pairs well with cool, creamy, and hearty side dishes. Whether you’re building a game day spread or turning the wings into dinner, these recipes help round out the meal.

Mix and match a few favorites to create a spread that works for any occasion. A couple of familiar side dishes are often all you need.

An overhead view of a platter of Buffalo chicken wings and a close-up of a charred drumette frame a navy panel with peach accents. The panel reads “Game Day Appetizer,” “Buffalo Chicken Wings,” and “Blogghetti.com.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What grill temperature is best for wings?

For these wings, aim for medium-high temperatures (375°F to 400°F). That range gives the skin a chance to brown without the outside charring too quickly.

Should Buffalo sauce be added before or after grilling?

Brush the sauce on after the first flip, then brush the other side during the last couple of minutes. That gives the skin time to brown before the sauce goes on.

How do I know when grilled chicken wings are done?

The sauce and grill marks can make wings look done before they are. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for 165°F in the thickest part of the meat (away from the bone), keeping the probe away from the bone.

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Tools for Grilling Wings

You don’t need anything fancy to make great grilled wings, but a few basic tools make the process easier and help ensure consistent results.

4-Burner Propane Gas Grill with Folding Side Tables Alpha Grillers Meat Thermometer Digital, Stocking Stuffers Gifts for Men 6 PCS CUALORK Silicone Basting Brush, Upgrade Pastry Brush,Heat Resistant Silicone Brushes, Premium Cooking Brush for Sauce Marinade Meat Glazing, Oil Brush for BBQ Kitchen Cooking Baking and Grilling GORILLA GRIP Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs for Cooking, 2 PK, Black Pyrex Essentials (3-Piece) Glass Mixing Bowls Set for Prepping and Baking GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×10) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, Gray Grill Brush and Scraper for Barbecue – Grill Brush for Outdoor Grill with Extended, Large Wooden Handle and Replaceable Stainless Steel Bristles Head –No Scratch- BBQ Grill Brush for Any Grill Amazon Basics 3-Piece Porcelain Serving Platters, Oven Safe, for Entertaining, Appetizer, Dinner, Dessert, 12.75 inch, 11 inch, 10 inch, White

Ingredients for Grilled Buffalo Wings

A short ingredient list is all it takes to make these flavorful grilled wings. You may already have most of the seasonings in your pantry.

Chicken Wings. Use split flats and drumettes for pieces that are easy to pick up and dip.
Olive Oil. Helps the seasonings stick to the chicken.
BBQ Rub, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, and Salt. The McCormick dry rub gives the wings a barbecue flavor, and the garlic, pepper, and salt round out the seasoning.
Buffalo Wing Sauce. Use Buffalo Wild Wings Medium Buffalo Sauce or whichever bottled Buffalo sauce you like best.

Raw chicken wings on a white platter with small dishes of olive oil, BBQ rub, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Buffalo sauce arranged below on a marble surface.

How to Make Grilled Buffalo Wings

Preheat the grill to 375°F to 400°F and pat the wings dry with paper towels. Toss the wings with olive oil, BBQ rub, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl.

Two side-by-side photos show raw chicken wings in a glass mixing bowl, first topped with dry seasonings and then tossed until evenly coated.

Arrange the wings in a single layer and cook for 8 minutes. Turn the wings over, brush with Buffalo sauce, and grill for 10 minutes. Flip again, brush with sauce, and grill for about 2 minutes more. Check that the thickest part reaches at least 165°F before taking the wings off the grill.

Two side-by-side photos show seasoned chicken wings browning on grill grates, followed by the wings coated in glossy Buffalo sauce. A red silicone brush rests against a wing in the second photo.

Transfer the wings to a clean platter and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing, if desired.

An angled view of sauced chicken flats and drumettes piled across a white rectangular platter, with dark grill marks visible on the skin. A glass bowl of white dipping sauce sits behind the platter beside a striped towel.

I like serving these wings with a Mini Sandwich Charcuterie Board when we’re making a meal out of them. If you try the wings, leave a comment and a rating to let me know how they turned out!

Grilled Buffalo Wings

These Grilled Buffalo Wings are juicy and smoky with crisp edges and a spicy Buffalo sauce. Serve them hot off the grill with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

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Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: buffalo wings

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 25

Servings: – 16 wings

Author: Lisa Kerhin

Equipment

grill (gas or charcoal grill can be used)
Instant Read Thermometer
tongs
basting brush
Large rimmed baking sheet
mixing bowls
grill brush

Ingredients

2 pounds chicken wings about 10 – 16, depending on size
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon BBQ rub we used McCormick
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup Buffalo Wild Wings Medium Sauce or your favorite wing sauce

Instructions

Preheat the grill and dry the wings. While the grill heats, pat the chicken wings dry on all sides with paper towels. Pour the Buffalo sauce into a small bowl for brushing. If you want extra sauce for dipping, pour it into a separate bowl before you start brushing the wings.
Season the chicken. Put the wings in a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, BBQ rub, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and salt. Toss with a spatula or gloved hands until the wings are evenly coated, turning them over so the seasoning reaches both sides.
Grill the first side. Use tongs to arrange the wings in a single layer on the preheated grill, leaving a little space between each piece. Grill for **8 minutes** so the skin has time to brown before you add the sauce.
Flip and brush with Buffalo sauce. Turn each wing over and brush the side facing up with Buffalo sauce. Grill for 10 more minutes. Flip the wings again, brush the newly exposed side with sauce, and grill for about 2 more minutes.
Check for doneness and serve. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the thickest part of the larger wings, keeping the probe away from the bone. The wings are ready when they reach at least 165°F. If they need more time, keep grilling and check again. Transfer them to a clean platter and serve hot with any sauce you set aside for dipping.

Notes

Oven method: Pat the wings dry and toss with the oil and seasonings. Arrange in a single layer on a greased, oven-safe wire rack set over a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 425°F for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wings are browned and the thickest part reaches 165°F. Toss the hot wings with Buffalo sauce and serve.

Nutritional Disclaimer

“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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