Making chicken wings in the Instant Pot is an easy and super flavorful way to cook them. If you love hot wings, this will be your new go-to recipe for buffalo chicken wings. They will be juicy, flavorful, and addicting. This electric pressure cooker chicken wing recipe is to die for. Just a few steps and set the Instant Pot and you have the best spicy wings that are keto-approved, low-carb, & diabetic-friendly.
Instant Pot chicken wings are a one-in-a-million recipe. That is - there are about a million recipes out on the internet for these spicy little numbers. I won't convince you that mine is completely different than the rest but I have a secret step that most recipes skip And what I will convince you is that these wings are easy and you can adjust the spice so you make one big batch in the instant pot that all the adults and kids will love to eat. This Instant Pot recipe works great on drummettes, wings, drumsticks, and even boneless chicken strips.
Full of flavor, spicy, tender, & crispy perfection
Secret Step
The key to this recipe is the liquid that the chicken is cooked in. Most instant pot recipes call for the chicken to be cooked on a trivet above water. Yes with just water. Now, how much flavor does water add to anything? NONE! Then, in the end, the other recipes add some sauce after the chicken has all of its cooking. The bulk of the flavoring is an afterthought. My recipe layers the flavors in every step of the cooking process.
To make the chicken more distinct, these wings are cooked in a vinegary buffalo liquid that helps infuse flavor deep into the meat. In the end, they will all taste as every buffalo wing should even just straight from the Instant Pot. They do not even need to be sauced but ideally, you will do that to get the extra buffalo kick that most of us want. I prefer Franks RedHot Original Buffalo sauce for this easy and delicious chicken wing recipe for your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker. For me, the original buffalo wing recipe or flavor needs Franks RedHot.
How to Make Keto Buffalo Wings
It is as easy as 1 -2 - 3, to make low-carb chicken wings in the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker makes it fast & easy to have tender chicken wings.
- Cook in Instant Pot in Amazing Cooking Liquid
- Brown Chicken Wings under the Broiler to Crisp
- Toss in Additional Sauce
I will warn you, if you do not like your chicken meat to fall right off the bone when you eat wings, this recipe is not for you. These wings will be so very tender, there is no effort to eat these and they will be messy good. This is another reason these are great for kids. If your kids are anything like mine are, they like to eat things that do not need a lot of fork and knife skills or can be eaten easily. These are a hit for them. They can use their hands and not get in trouble; yes, please.
Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Wings cooking liquid
Difference Between Wings, Wingettes & Drumettes
What I made with this recipe is what is technically called wingettes and drumettes, not a full chicken wing. But the consensus at home and in restaurants we all seem just simply call them wings. Here is more information on Chicken Wings vs Wingettes.
Seasoning the Chicken Wings
To begin, mix together in a pourable bowl or pyrex measuring cup the melted butter, apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and water. Pat dry your chicken pieces and season liberally with salt and pepper.
Seasoned chicken wings
Best Liquid to Pressure Cook Chicken Wings
Add the liquid and the chicken to the Instant Pot. Secure and lock the lid. Make sure the valve is set to sealing and is closed. Set the Instant Pot to Manual and for 5 minutes. The Instant Pot will say ON until it reaches pressure. Once it comes to pressure the 5 minutes will count down.
Once it beeps at 5 minutes, let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally for 10 minutes. After the clock reaches 10 minutes, move the valve carefully open using a wooden spoon or long utensil to release any remaining pressure.
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Wings from Frozen
If you forgot to defrost your chicken wings, you can still make this recipe in a pressure cooker. Even though they are not defrosted you can still add the frozen wings to the Instant Pot insert and sprinkle them with the seasonings. Still pour the cooking liquid over them and seal the pressure cooker closed. When cooking the wings from frozen, you will need to set them for a longer time on the Instant Pot. So instead of 5 minutes on Manual, set it for 15 minutes on Manual. Still, let it release pressure naturally for 10 minutes after.
Wings complete with the pressure cooker stage
Low-Carb Wings That are Crispy
There is one more step to perfect these wings. Remove the chicken wings from the Instant Pot and place them on a baking sheet. Crisp them up under the broiler on low, rotating as you cook to ensure all sides get golden. The skin will crisp up and caramelize the sauce that has been absorbed into every piece of chicken.
This is how you get crunchy crispy skin on chicken wings that have no flour or breading. To keep these wings low-carb and keto, you rely on the natural fats in the skins to sizzle and fry them up under the heat of the broiler.
How Many Carbs in Chicken Wings
Without breading, these wings are low-carb and a keto diet dream. There are almost zero carbs in this recipe - so enjoy all you want! For a 6 ounce serving or ⅛ of this recipe, these chicken wings have 376 calories, 18g fat & .1 carbs. Yes - there is only 1/10 of a carb in a tasty serving! The full nutritional information in the recipe card below for more details.
Crispy wings ready for sauce
Keto Chicken Wing Sauce
Time to heat things up! The final step is to melt the additional butter in a microwave-safe bowl and add ¼ cup of hot sauce. Add the wings then toss with a set of tongs. You can also serve without the additional sauce for a mild version that even my kids like.
If you do not like spicy, this is a great way to enjoy these too. At this point do not add the additional sauce. Instead melt the butter and add the wings to coat. Then sprinkle on ¼ cup of grated parmesan chese and toss to coat. This will give you the best crispy keto parmesan chicken wings ever. They will be crispy, buttery, with a salty cheese flavor that is addicting.
I recently had these with the pickled vegetables that Miley helped me make. This recipe is a favorite and was our first Pinterest hit as it had 8K impressions in one day. You must try the recipe here - https://theshortordercook.com/how-to-make-quick-pickled-vegetables-kids-in-the-kitchen/
I also suggest serving these with my homemade ranch dressing. I make it without mayonnaise and it is the perfect cool creamy accompaniment for these spicy wings. Try that here - https://theshortordercook.com/how-to-make-homemade-ranch-dressing-without-mayo/
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings with Homemade Ranch & Quick Pickled Vegetables - all recipes on the blog
PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken wings PIN
Product Recommendations for this Recipe:
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How to Make Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings (Secret Step Included)
Equipment
- pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings / drummettes
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup hot sauce
- 2 TB apple cider vinegar
- 4 TB salted butter melted
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt & pepper
- ¼ cup additional hot sauce
Instructions
- Combine cooking liquid ingredients together – water, hot sauce, AC vinegar, 2 TB melted butter and the cayenne pepper. Pour into the insert of your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker.
- Season chicken thoroughly with salt and pepper. Add to the pot.
- Lock and seal the lid. Close the steam valve on the lid. Select Manual and press the up or down arrows to set the Instant Pot to 5.
- It will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure. Once it does it will count down the 5 minutes. After it counts down the Instant Pot will beep. At this point let the pressure release naturally by keeping the lid locked and the valve sealed until the clock counts back up to 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, open the steam valve carefully with a wooden spoon or long utensil. Remove the chicken wings with tongs and place on a baking sheet.
- Place under a low broiler and rotate to brown and crisp up all sides.
- While crisping, in a large bowl combine the other 2 TB of melted butter and more hot sauce – to your taste. I use usually about another ¼-1/2 cup at this point for all the wings.
- Once crispy toss wings in the butter and hot sauce mixture.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing, raw vegetable sticks or coleslaw.
Notes
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 8 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 376 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 18.4g | 24% |
| Saturated Fat 7.1g | 36% |
| Cholesterol 167mg | 56% |
| Sodium 515mg | 22% |
| Total Carbohydrate 0.2g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 0.1g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 0.2g | |
| Protein 49.3g | |
| Vitamin D 4mcg | 20% |
| Calcium 28mg | 2% |
| Iron 2mg | 12% |
| Potassium 433mg | 9% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
Laura says
These look absolutely delicious!!
Angela says
Thank you, they are delicious!
Cindy says
Looks like a great recipe. I love using the pressure pot, especially as the temps warm up outside.
Angela says
Yes, it really is great for cooking in the hot summer months. Helps to not heat up your house for sure.
Judith says
That look sooooooo yummy.
Kyndall Bennett says
OMG, these look amazing! I'm not a big fan of spicy food, but I would at least try this! I wonder if it would still work out if I substituted the hot sauce for teriyaki! 🤔
Angela says
HI, I have done this with teriyaki as well. Perfecting a gluten-free version using Tamari. You do not want straight soy/teriyaki as it will be VERY salty. I would do 1/2 & 1/2 w something like apple juice maybe and see if you like that? CHeck back as I hope to have a few other instant pot wings recipes on here soon.
Brittany says
Yummy! I love chicken wings, and I love my instant pot! Thank you for the recipe....and the secret step!
Angela says
You are welcome - enjoy!
Karla says
I have not gotten an instant pot yet. I'm not sure why.... I hear continuously how wonderful it is. But this might push me over the edge. 🙂
Angela says
Do it!
Stacey says
Looks yummy! I like the meat to fall off the bones.
Suzan says
Like Karla, I too do not have an instant pot but could easily adjust this recipe for my needs. Looks delish!
Charlene says
I love that secret tip! I bet it makes things extra flavorful!
Angela says
It really does allow the meat to take on more flavor.
Leigh Ann says
These sound so good and are just another reason I need an Instapot!
Emily says
YUM YUM YUMMMMMMMMMM!
Robin says
We love wings, although can't eat them very often! Can't wait to try these!
jen says
Sharing with my husband...the chicken wing master
Angela says
I hope the Master loves these as much as I do!
Ramae Hamrin says
What a great idea! I cook chicken in the instant pot all the time with just water, salt and pepper. This looks much tastier, and we always have hot sauce around.
Lina says
Another great recipe for my instant pot. Thanks1
Junell DuBois says
This looks like something that my husband and sons would love!
Tiffany says
This looks so easy and so tasty! Can't wait to try this for my boys! Yum!
Pauline says
I love chicken wings. They are so delicious. This would be a great treat for our next get together.
Carolina says
I love chicken wings and these look delicious!
Lisa says
I was JUST looking up instapot recipes... Thank you for this!!!
Angela Greven | Mean Green Chef says
I love a good basket of crispy wings every now and again and these look super scrumptious!! 🙌
Annette says
YUM!! I'm excited to try this recipe!!! I just got an Instant Pot three months ago, and am always looking for a new recipe to try. Thanks for sharing!!
T.M. Brown says
These look delish! I don't have an Instant Pot yet (I know, for shame!), but I wonder if I can do this with a crockpot.
Shanna says
yes! I have never made homemade buffalo wings, and I don't have an instant pot. But I need this in my life!
Amanda says
These look amazing!! I don't cook but I am passing this recipe onto my husband 🙂
Eileen Thorsen says
My husband would die for these wings! I'm more of a boneless-buffalo-wings-girl, so I would love to try it with boneless wings as well. I think I'll have to surprise my family with this recipe when football season starts this summer!
Jerri says
We LOVE hot wings! I've been wanting to try them in the Instant Pot, but my husband is a little skeptical! Maybe I can convince him to try this recipe! Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites. I'm featuring you this week.
Angela says
Thanks so much Jerri for featuring this on simplysweethome.com! I have full confidence your husband will be a convert. Cannot wait to hear his review.
Miz Helen says
I just pinned your recipe and can't wait to try your instant pot wings! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and hope you are having a great week.
Miz Helen
Angela says
Thank you Miz Helen - the wings are pretty amazing. I got a text the other night from a friend that made them and her whole family loved them. Hope you like them just as much.
Julie says
Love making wings in the Instapot!!
Angela says
Me too! They are so tender and full of flavor this way.
Michelle says
What a great way to make this popular party food.
Angela says
Thanks Michelle. Buffalo Chicken Wings are a party must!
Nart at Cooking with Nart says
Those wings look delicious. Thank you for sharing your secret step - I bet they're full of flavor!
Angela says
You are welcome and they are amazingly full of flavor.
Genevieve says
Angela this recipe looks delicious! Wonderful job!
Travel Clans says
looks fantastic!
Patrice says
I'm a fan of anything I can make in my instant pot. Your secret step is a wonderful idea! I'm going to try this next time.
Jacqueline Debono says
Fall off the bone chicken wings are definitely what I like. These look great. Good idea to grill them at the end to get them crispy!
Anindya Sundar Basu says
Thanks for the secret steps and I love chicken wings. So will try out the buffalo chicken wings. Thanks a lot for the recipe
Felicia Austin says
We love wings! And we all agree that Franks Hot sauce is the BEST hot sauce out there! Believe when I say we have tried ALL kinds of hot sauces and Franks tops them all. Also I love that you added your secret step! Thank you for that.
Angela says
Glad you like it and live a Franks Hot Sauce life as we do too - haha!
Nisha says
This looks just perfect and delicious , Thanks for sharing!
Arlene says
I made these for my teenage boys and they loved them. They really did fall off the bone and make it easy to eat.