Learn how to heat up Buffalo Wild Wings the right way, crispy, juicy, and saucy every time using easy methods that actually work.
Honestly, there’s not much better than a hot basket of Buffalo Wild Wings served fresh, dripping with sauce, and with ranch dressing on the side (or bleu cheese if you want it that way). BWW is the best place to go for a game night, a late-night need for takeaway, or just your monthly cheat lunch. Whether you’re dining in or doing a Buffalo Wild Wings pick up, it always hits the spot.
But what if you ordered more than you could eat (guilty) or your friend left you halfway through the 20-wing order? You look at a fridge full of cold, lonely wings and ask yourself the most crucial question: how to heat up buffalo wild wings without ruining their flavor or texture?
What You'll Discover:
How can I warm up Buffalo Wild Wings without spoiling them?
You’re not the only one who has microwaved a wing and ended up with rubbery skin and soggy melancholy. I’ve been there too many times. I eventually worked it out after trying every way I could think of, from toaster ovens to air fryers to cooking in a pan like a wing alchemist.
If you want to know the best way to heat up Buffalo Wild Wings, keep this guide. This is everything I’ve learned, tried out, and liked.
The Big Wing Problem: Why It’s Not Easy to Reheat
Let’s talk about the fundamental problem before we go into the methods. Wings are not always the same. Especially places like Buffalo Wild Wings that are covered in sauce or dry rub.
Reheating things isn’t only about getting them hot again; it’s also about keeping:
- The skin is crispy (no one wants wings that are mushy).
- The meat was juicy (wings that are dry are a crime).
- The flavor intact (reheated sauce can get odd).
That means that microwaving isn’t your sole friend. You need a plan. How to do it. A little patience.
And maybe a little more sauce.
Quick Reference: The Best Ways to Reheat Buffalo Wild Wings
| Method | Best For | Time Needed | Crisp Factor | Ease of Use |
| Air Fryer | All wings, but especially boneless | 5–6 minutes | 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Oven | Traditional wings (with sauce or rub) | 10–12 minutes | 🔥🔥🔥🔥 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Skillet | Dry-rubbed wings | 7–8 minutes | 🔥🔥🔥 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Microwave | Desperate situations only | 2 minutes | 🔥 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
1. The Air Fryer Method (Best Overall)
First, let me say that if you have an air fryer, you should use it. That’s it. It is hands-down the finest approach for reviving leftover wings.
How it Works:
Air fryers move hot air around the wings, which gives them that nice crunchy outside without making the meat inside dry.
During the lockdown, I got my first air fryer, and to be honest? It transformed the way I eat leftovers. Wings, fries, even pizza, everything tastes better in it.
How to Do It:
- Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Put the wings in a single layer; don’t stack them!
- Flip the food halfway through cooking for 4 to 6 minutes.
- After taking them out, let them sit for a minute to keep the fluids in.
- You can add fresh BWW sauce or brush on some ranch if you want.
If you’re wondering how to heat up Buffalo Wild Wings with sauce without burning it, loosely wrap them in foil to protect sugary sauces like Honey BBQ.
2. Oven Method (Best for Big Batches)
The oven is a good backup if you don’t have an air fryer or are reheating for a group. It takes longer, but if you do it well, the result is almost as good as what you would get in a restaurant.
Why It Works:
The oven heats things evenly and, if done well, can make the wings a little crunchy on the outside while cooking the interior all the way through.
How to Do It:
- Set the oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Put foil on a baking sheet and a wire rack on top of it (this helps make things crisp).
- Make sure the wings are evenly spaced.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, turning the food over halfway through.
- If you want more crunch, broil for 1–2 minutes toward the end.
Pro Tip: If you’re still learning how to heat up Buffalo Wild Wings the right way, add a splash of water to the tray underneath to keep the meat from drying out.
3. The Skillet Method (Quick and Tasty)
This is for people who love cooking on the stovetop or don’t have enough room in their oven.
One night, I was too sluggish to heat anything up ahead of time, so I tried this. It’s really helpful, especially for wings with dry rub.
How to Do It:
- Heat a skillet on medium-high with a dab of oil or butter.
- Put the wings in the pan and put a lid on it.
- Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, turning the food every so often.
- Take off the top and cook for another 2–3 minutes to make them crispy.
Pro Tip: Add some garlic, fresh herbs, or leftover dry rub to give it an extra kick of flavor.
4. Last Resort: The Microwave Method
We all have done it. Put wings on a dish, cover them with a paper towel, and microwave them.
Is it ideal? Nope. But there are instances when you want wings at midnight and you’re starving. I understand.
How to Do It Without Messing It Up:
- Put the wings on a platter that can go in the microwave.
- Put a wet paper towel over it.
- Set the microwave to 70% power and cook for 45 to 60 seconds.
- Turn the wings over and cook them for another 30 seconds.
If you’re desperate and Googling how to heat up Buffalo Wild Wings in the microwave, this method works, but don’t expect miracles unless you finish them off under a broiler or in a hot pan for texture.
Extra: How to Reheat Sauced Wings Without Making a Mess
Sauced wings are hard to make because the sauce can burn, get excessively sweet, or get sticky and disgusting.
Here’s what works:
- Air Fryer: Put wings with sauce in foil and poke some holes.
- Oven: Bake for 10 minutes without a cover, then brush with fresh sauce after warming.
- Skillet: Heat the wings without any liquid, then add a little water and sauce at the end and stir.
- Microwave: For optimum taste, always add fresh sauce after heating.
Wings Are Not Made Equal: Boneless vs. Regular
Let’s not forget this: Boneless wings are a whole new thing. In a technical sense, nuggets? Maybe. Still tasty? Yes, for sure.
Boneless Tip:
The air fryer is best. Bake for 5 minutes at 375°F, then flip and cook for 2 more minutes. Don’t use the microwave, it softens the bread. Always add sauce after reheating.
Pro Wing Reheating Hacks (From Someone Who’s Tried Everything)
- When you order, get more sauce. Trust me, wings that have been reheated deserve some love.
- Use a wire rack in the oven to prevent sogginess.
- Preheat everything, cold ovens and fryers kill the crisp.
- Don’t overheat, this dries out the wings. Gentle heat = gold.
- Add a dash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar after reheating sauced wings, it wakes up the flavor.
My Personal Wing Reheating Journey (aka: Stories From the Fridge)
I used to think that reheating wings wasn’t worth it. I’d open the fridge, find a sad takeaway box, and throw it away. Or worse, I’d put it in the microwave and instantly regret it.
But one day, while I was alone watching the Bills game (because of a snowfall), I decided to figure it out. I laid out four wings, each one reheated a different way. I documented it like a culinary scientist. My wife thought I was crazy.
But in the end? The air fryer was the clear winner for me. Since then, I’ve gotten better at the methods above, and now I look forward to leftovers almost as much as the first mouthful.
Key Takings:
- Leftover Buffalo Wild Wings don’t have to be sad. With the right approach, they can be almost as delicious as the original round, crispy, juicy, saucy bliss straight from your kitchen.
- The next time you’re staring at a takeout box wondering how to heat up Buffalo Wild Wings, just remember: you’ve got options. Really good ones.
- Whether it’s air fryer magic, oven precision, or skillet simplicity, you’re about to give your wings the makeover they deserve.
Additional Resources:
- The Best Way to Reheat Chicken Wings: Includes a reader-friendly breakdown of reheating techniques with tips to preserve wing flavor and crunch. You can use this to support your quick reference chart.
