The Best Buffalo Wings You'll Ever Make (Restaurant-Quality) | Epicurious 101

Professional chef Frank Proto is back for another edition of Epicurious 101, today teaching you how to make buffalo wings that rival any you'd find at a restaurant, bar, or pub.
Learn more with Chef Frank on his KZbin Channel ProtoCooks!
/ @protocookswithcheffrank
Follow him on Instagram at @protocooks
Director/Producer: Mel Ibarra
On Set Director: Jen Osaki
Director of Photography: Kevin Dynia
Editor: Jared Hutchinson
Chef: Frank Proto
Director of Culinary Production: Kelly Janke
Culinary Researcher and Recipe Editor: Vivian Jao
Culinary Producer: Young Sun Huh
Culinary Associate Producer: Christina Aiello
Associate Producer: Tim Colao
Line Producer: Jennifer McGinity
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Camera Operator: Kyle LeClaire
Audio: Lily Van Leeuwen
Production Assistant: Sophie Pulver
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araújo
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
Graphics Supervisor: Ross Rackin
Graphics, Animation, VFX: Lea Kichler
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0:00 Wings Wings Wings
0:26 Chapter One - Prepping The Wings
1:50 Chapter Two - Making The Sauce
2:38 Chapter Three - Frying The Wings
4:18 Chapter Four - Sauce and Serve
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[@billpowers6802]

I've found that sprinkling the wings with sea salt before going in the fridge is a great way to dry brine the wings and add another level of flavorful juiciness.

[@zythum999]

Dry brining is great for steak too. It helps them to tenderize.

[@HiResDez]

A little baking powder and a tiny bit of sugar too!

[@christopherlasseter6317]

@@HiResDezreally? The flavor of baking soda doesn’t get in the wing? Do you find it better than just salt?

[@HiResDez]

@@christopherlasseter6317 yeah gets it crispier faster since it's more alkaline and baking powder is isn't as concentrated as baking soda so it's easier to use without any added taste.

[@DeviAudrey]

1tsp per lb of wings of each kosher salt and baking powder before the overnight dry out

[@Johnny-tt7nb]

Love Frank's recipes. I wanted wings today so i skipped the overnight drying. Just had to cook them for a little longer, they were still crispy and delicious if anyone's impatient like me. They're delicious without the sauce too, i did half plain and half with the sauce. Cheers

[@hughmann7485]

yup! I love dipping plain wings into multiple sauces as well, the more the merrier!

[@poke33slow77]

Did u season yours? My guy didn't

[@Lee-yy2lr]

Yeah, the restaurants don't let the chicken dry overnight. That would be a nightmare for a Wing restaurant.

[@robertbeining141]

Chef Frank, today was my day off, last night I prepped the wings, dried in fridge overnight, fried this afternoon. The only other way I am going to make them going forward is to grill them, but your method wins hands down. Promise to try your wing sauce recipe next time. Today, Sweet Baby Ray's Buffalo Wing Sauce got em' done!

[@amnesiai]

These easy recipes are the best! Thanks Frank!

[@flpsnk4848]

I love Frank, he was the first to recommend me making crispy bacon in the microwave, I will never forget.

[@azgothedefiler]

do you have link to that ?

[@egotrips4810]

is there a link to it?

[@Kingcommaalex]

Wait how else do you make bacon lol

[@jcorniii]

Jacques Pépin tho

[@liamdonegan9042]

@@Kingcommaalex u kidding?

[@diegodroks]

I have a fast food restaurant here in my country Peru. I came to this channel because the chef seems interested in the way he explains things! thank you!

[@magnusvonbraun9870]

Whenever Frank is shown, something tells me he made literally all the ingredients before coming here.

[@cwg73160]

That’s unfortunate.

[@scottmcmanus1453]

"You don't have to raise the chickens yourself, but ..."

[@thewyatt1001]

Mise en place

[@ois9]

Fanboy comment.

[@joefelice5062]

He made the garlic and the salt? What??

[@jsimmons7023]

I remember a pound of wings cost $1.99. Now I have to take out 2nd mortgage!🐔🐔🐔

[@heirloomacres7445]

10 cent wing night ❤

[@HexIsme]

Seriously! You'd think they were coated in gold.

[@ginagilbertgathering2540]

That was part of the chicken no one wanted now everyone has a wing recipe

[@jsimmons7023]

@@heirloomacres7445 now it's $.25 isn't it?

[@18deadmonkeys]

@@ginagilbertgathering2540 supply and demand in action

[@floidee]

This is so simple. I love it. I hope he does Biryani 101 or somebody who can break it down into 4 to 5 steps.

[@samuelsunn2011]

Straight and to the point. Not drawn out. Everything I need to know. Thank you.

[@ginamariakleinmartin7967]

Ketchup? Wings sauce in buffalo: butter, franks, white vinegar. I make them constantly.

[@rapcat1271]

White vinegar is not in the recipe either.its just butter and franks ..hot sauce already is vinegar

[@macycharmin]

I think his premise to the ketchup is to cut the heat of the hot sauce. Some ppl like the flavor but the heat is too much; especially if you're going to eat more than a few wings lol.

[@nickmastmann1073]

Chef Frank you are the best. I love all your videos 😍

[@bigtrouble5043]

Awesome video thanks Frank.

[@rollin60z]

Thank u chef, especially for the tip about filling it only halfway

[@ewaplachecka6886]

My kids love the recipes,and the sauce came out perfect 👍

[@robertbeining141]

Frank, by far the BEST and useful detailed information that makes the perfect wing. Definitely using your method next time I make this. But, darn one day is a tough wait. LOL. Well worth the weight. I do duck and turkey same method of drying open in the fridge. Thanks for another great recipe.

[@ChrisMarkTvv]

Looks delicious thanks for sharing 👍 ❤❤

[@paulsingh1984]

Frank is an absolute legend. Love you people in the comments come on saying “lost me at ketchup” or “add seasoning”. This guy knows more about food and cooking than 99% of us. If you cook something differently that’s also fine btw 😊

[@laqueenawilliams4762]

Then how come he didn’t even tell us oil temp

[@paulsingh1984]

@@laqueenawilliams4762 fair enough. But if someone needs to know the oil temp to make chicken wings then you maybe need a more cooking for beginners recipe

[@SunilGeorgeKoshy]

Simple and wonderful recipe ❤🎉🎉

[@workinprogress9613]

"We don't need them to be drowning in the sauce." YES we do!😂

[@Perihoss]

Thank you Chefi ❤for the recipe

[@user-xc6cj8ql1j]

What a great video. Straight to the point, no fluff. What every YT video should be. Wing sauce comes out very authentic too although I did use Frank's hot sauce 'cause it's what I had!! Sorry Frank!

[@Mark-qc5ts]

Followed this recipe and ate them last night..... Wow that sauce.... Thank you 👌

[@GrayHaloTX]

Thank you for a great tutorial!!!!

[@yummycurls5018]

This was so helpful thank you so much the drying hack makes so much since

[@Echoballs-gt8zz]

Is it a big deal if the butter is made out of salt

[@sandrab.5065]

I am going to try this method. It looks delicious. 🌻

[@PeToraBoX]

This is what I've been looking for 😍

[@richsellskc]

Gotta love the wing flats...yum.

[@keithkamps77]

Love your stuff.

[@claudiahernandezjacobo3132]

Wow love this video, I will now try it and hope they come out like yours and I’m definitely subscribing 😊

[@Arizona_Vineyard]

My mouth is watering and I have a sink full of wings… Im going to enjoy these

[@Meme-Wit]

Delicious and mouthwatering. Adding this to my recipe collection.

[@kdoran709]

I made this with a shot ton of garlic instead of only 1 and it was amazing

[@mattersofmind5391]

Noted!

[@simpleyvic]

LoL! i dunno why ppl are scared of flavor

[@franksindoneii5410]

Dumb American

[@nicktheman1828]

@@simpleyvic flavor is unhealthy. Best not to over do it

[@cliffordlaport4322]

If you use sriracha it already has all the garlic you need.

[@oldschooldogy316]

They look amazing. This is how I make my hot wings except I use my deep fryer and instead of using hot sauce and butter to make my sauce like I used to I just started buying Buffalo Wild Wings Mango Habanero, Asian Zing, Thai Curry, Spicy Garlic, and Nashville Hot Sauce until around 3-4 months ago when I bought Hooter's 3 Mile Island Sauce and fell in love with it. For the last 3-4 months I haven't used anything except 3 Mile Island Sauce. It is so delicious.

[@MrPlissken87]

If you coat the wings with a little corn starch before frying it makes them even crispier.

[@BigstickNick]

Looks great, Ill give it a shot

[@Ultra-LV]

Born and live in Buffalo NY and this looks delicious.

[@rockyjohnson9243]

Looks great Frank :) Thanks for the tips and tricks

[@Draken0023]

I’ve never tried the sauce the way Frank makes it, but it seems interesting. For my Buffalo wings, I use Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce, butter, lemon juice (just a little), and a sprinkle of dried oregano. Maybe I’ll do a side-by-side comparison next time I make wings 😁

[@ViewerEm]

if youre going for heat, imo, ketchup kinda ruins it. if youre going for flavor, it tastes great.

[@devnagel2235]

@@ViewerEm I use a bit of honey. Keeps it hot, but adds a little sweetness and thickness. Not so sure about the ketchup myself...

[@PerfectPrinceX1]

try it with nonsalted butter sometime

[@stackmaster2851]

I use the exact same but with a bit of garlic

[@Draken0023]

@@stackmaster2851 Yeah, garlic is great in it! Whenever I do that, I sautee it first with the oregano and make a compound butter with it. It adds to the prep time, usually gotta do it a couple hours in advance, but I promise it’s worth it. Plus, then you have a garlic & oregano compound butter for other stuff 😉

[@TheDuckofLaw]

Chef Frank is a genius

[@isaaclo3110]

I always season my wings before I put them in the fridge overnight.

[@simpleyvic]

as u should.. lmao @ no seasoning.. for the sake of clean oil??? please...

[@tristc6909]

Well at least you seasoned them. Unlike guy in video

[@Echoballs-gt8zz]

Is it a big deal if the butter has salt

[@lemonator8813]

​@@Echoballs-gt8zznah just makes it saltier

[@Echoballs-gt8zz]

@@lemonator8813 ohhh

[@_Bosley]

I do the same day before dry out prep but I grill mt wings on the bbq on indirect heat. Still don't sauce them until they're done though...... :)

[@djsweetdaddy3215]

Perfect!!! You make me hangry!

[@hellfish2309]

Also make sure you all maintain your fridges regularly: a fridge with heat exchange coils burdened by dust or otherwise inefficiently operational does not need more moisture dumped into it’s compartment by the wings you’re trying to dry out the dry, chilled air will take the moisture outta the chicken skin and condense it onto the defrost coils, which may or may not be up to task depending on how well maintained your fridge hardware is

[@Abridgelion]

Underrated advice. Thanks.

[@Echoballs-gt8zz]

How am I suppose to acccess that ?

[@hellfish2309]

@@Echoballs-gt8zz most fridges have them underneath, or sometimes behind; there are plenty of guides on youtube for fridge maintenance in addition to your fridge’s manual, but the best way is use a battery-powered leaf blower after taking off like the plastic panels/grates that shield the under carriage, securing what components might fly off, then blowing all the collected dust etc into an air filter or better yet outside

[@Echoballs-gt8zz]

@@hellfish2309 ohhh . Also question about the hot sauce in video will it be a big deal if I use franks hot sauce instead of the hot sauce used in the video? Can’t find them in stores with out having to buy them online

[@iranie4981]

Looks great

[@sjaywjayw70]

That Buffalo sauce is the best I've ever had, hands down. 10/10 dude.

[@layingthefoundationsminist6483]

You made that look easy!

[@nakebabrown4775]

It looks great.

[@user-mo2de7pn4c]

Okay frank! Lol , great video! Thank you 💓💕

[@peterhopper9448]

Great video and now Im starving. Could the recipe be included please? Especially regarding the oil used?

[@xxjmxx13]

Salivating.

[@dwaynehendricks7842]

I also like to add a little bit of spicey V-8 juice to the sauce. That way you get the celery and carrot tastes.

[@RogueStatusQVX]

My mouth is watering

[@ollieox9181]

Looks great. I'm going to try it.

[@Echoballs-gt8zz]

How can I check if the oil is 375 with out a thermometer

[@rizaslifestyle5824]

Looks yummy ❤

[@blackgeekfandom]

This is a life skill video.

[@manic_driver8751]

Lot of interesting tips here, drying really is the key here. If you toss them in baking soda before putting them in the fridge, you can cook all of them in the oven and still get that crispiness all over

[@Echoballs-gt8zz]

How can I check if the oil is 375 with out a thermometer

[@mattc825]

@@Echoballs-gt8zzYou can just dip your fingers. Just kiddn

[@Echoballs-gt8zz]

@@mattc825 ya wouldn’t try that again

[@claudiaayesu5768]

I made these, crispy and amazing

[@stevegram9000]

I went to university in Buffalo and I can attest to the excellence of this technique!

[@thomasangelo6925]

Duffs & Anchor Bar cringe watching this....That is how Jim's would make "Buffalo Wings"....lol

[@troyhenry3267]

Frank, amazing wing recipe!! Do you have a recipe to make a simple lemon pepper rub/wing sauce?

[@simpleyvic]

Gina Young has the best lemon pepper wing recipe i've seen on YT

[@juliawang871]

thanks for making this video! one question - after made them try, is it put into freezing or cooling overnight?

[@jeebrew]

I think you should put them in the fridge, not the freezer 😊

[@gmpatience1]

LEGEND!!!!! ❤

[@MariaLacsamana-ik3in]

😅😅😅😅 love them thanks!!

[@Metoobie]

All the yes!!! Unfortunately, I'm in Canada and I think our national supply of Crystal was used in this video. 🤣🤣 Oh well, I'll have to go back to NOLA!

[@RezMonkeigh]

Or Amazon... Lol. After visiting NOLA and trying Crystal Om addicted. But I have an international grocery to get Crystal.

[@mon6745]

I see you Frank with that test/chef's treat 😂😂😂😂

[@Ghanshyam00000]

Hi, Frank this is my first time watching how to make buffalo wings I learned if you taste better and Crispier your oil is fresh and your wings are fresh however everybody adds ingredients but the wings are fresh and the oil then taste will be awesome thanks.

[@Xzqwerty2324zX]

Those wings look fantastic!!! ❤❤❤

[@Xzqwerty2324zX]

Although I thought the sauce would have more to it, simple saves time I guess

[@Echoballs-gt8zz]

How can I check if the oil is 375 with out a thermometer

[@Xzqwerty2324zX]

@@Echoballs-gt8zz sorry for the late reply but if you want to see if your oil is ready to fry, just take a small piece of chicken or whatever you are frying and throw it in the oil. Based on the way it reacts you’ll be able to tell how hot the oil is

[@Echoballs-gt8zz]

@@Xzqwerty2324zX ohhh thanks

[@camelliawateridge6928]

Omg soo delicious

[@MBTX0424]

What kind of oil is being used? And why do you prefer that one? I know they have different smoke points but also flavoring which can affect the results, so was curious as your go-to for wings.

[@frankmurphy5]

I never considered drying them out first. Nice. Gonna start this recipe tonight using Frank's buffalo wing sauce 😁

[@aishazaman3401]

how was it

[@samueljbeane]

What kind(s) of oil would you recommend? Thanks!!

[@nicolenew1708]

THANK YOU

[@EsuChiefCraig]

Chef Frank is a great teacher. I'd love to be his student.

[@knndyskful]

If you’re watching the KZbin videos, you are a student ;) Also he has his own channel “Proto Cooks” where you can continue to learn

[@jasjo_world]

Yummy❤️❤️

[@darrenlynch6748]

I really like the drying over night in the fridge.

[@RangeRov49]

Crystal hot sauce for the win!

[@bowenzhao5782]

Hello, I'm very new to cooking. Was wondering what to do with the excess leftover oil after you're finished frying the wings? I read that you can dispose of it after it's cooled, but that's so much oil that needs to be disposed of.

[@slyrhythm6471]

Thank you

[@rppiii7814]

Grilled, grilled wings are the way to go especially with a little char, it’s amazing. You never want to go back

[@gregvitkow521]

Nice job bro.

[@a.p6438]

What is Frank's blue cheese dressing recipe?!

[@ginnyweatherbee7941]

I think he’s got one on his personal KZbin channel.. also look for the levels chicken wing video on Epicurious’s channel, I thing he participated in that one

[@shmodzilla]

mines 1 cup crumbly bleu, 3/4 sour cream, 1/2 mayo, 1tbs dijion, tbs lemon juice or apple cider vinegar , 1/4 tsp salt,pepper and garlic powder. instructions basically to preference you can add it altogether, let marinade please at least a few hours! Way better, add only half the bleu cheese and blend it all using a food processor or hand held, then add the rest as bigger chunks again let sit a few hours Only one of my friends prefers a more mayo versions so i flipped the mayo and sour cream amounts, she loved it, everyone else hated it but whatever ya like! Remember, not all ingridients are created equal, the mayo, sour cream, dijion come in mayo standards so adjust to taste.

[@sherm4421]

im trying this tomorrow but im smoking them on the grill instead of frying. can't wait to see how they turn out

[@Cupidstuntfc]

Made these today and they were awesome. Was a bit sceptical about not breading them, but they do taste better just fried. Over here in the UK wings aren’t quite the staple in restaurants that they are in the US but these tasted better than any I’ve had over here.🇬🇧

[@mcrump7421]

Dont ever bread your wings...ever

[@LilXancheX]

Cheers my British nanny ❤

[@BradleyT2p2]

Do you have the same sauces over there - Franks, Crystal, Melinda?

[@Cupidstuntfc]

@@BradleyT2p2 just franks but that’s fine

[@RecapRico]

@@Cupidstuntfctry honey chipotle wings. They’re amazing

[@Tocomaco]

Buffalo here...that was nice, and pretty much traditional too!

[@rayperez3426]

I wonder how long the sauce (unused, not contaminated) last in the refrigerator? Thanks

[@dcgunman]

Is avacado or coconut oil recommended? What temperature should the oil be?

[@Bj-re4wt]

5:17 insane tip on flats

[@clintcurtis9630]

Like all your videos frank

[@hughtanner208]

when it comes to frying how long will the oil last. Is it a one and done or?

[@angietaylor2298]

THANK YOU .

[@stephaniebrooks9242]

Yum

[@sarafox4375]

Hi Frank!!!🎉🎉🎉 on here learning to make the perfect wing. I believe homemade is best.

[@slipknotfan2358]

Holy moley I’m hungry for wings now! Might do this tomorrow for dinner! 🤙🏼

[@michaeldominiquez7253]

Can you shallow pan fried chicken wings or is it better to use a dutch oven

[@Thojo-qt7iu]

Always follow Proto

[@AshleeRaynee]

Yummy

[@revysingh]

What type of oil are you using?

[@DCFunBud]

Is there some place with all the ingredients and volumes, also known as a recipe? What kind of oil did you use?

[@ky42]

Drooool!!!😋

[@thefuturist8864]

What kind of oil is best for frying the wings?