Rave Reviews from Our Readers

Don’t just take our word for it. Our community of grill masters and home cooks can’t get enough of these wings. Here’s what one satisfied reader had to say:

“I finally tried this recipe, and it’s truly the only way to make wings on a Traeger! Every other recipe I’ve attempted from Traeger left me with either raw wings or tough skin. These came out perfectly crispy and literally fell off the bone. Absolutely fantastic!”

Evan

Why These Crispy Pellet Grill Wings Are a Game Changer

Achieving truly crispy chicken wings on a pellet grill can be a challenge. While pellet grills excel at imparting a deep, smoky flavor, the lower, indirect heat often results in rubbery or less-than-crispy skin. But what if you could have the best of both worlds? What if you could enjoy that unmistakable wood-fired smokiness combined with an incredibly satisfying, shatteringly crisp skin? We’re here to tell you it’s not just possible, it’s easy with our tested and perfected method.

Our recipe for extra crispy Traeger chicken wings stands out for two main reasons: a special seasoning blend and a refined two-stage cooking technique. We’ve spent countless hours in our test kitchen, experimenting with different approaches, and through this trial and error, we’ve discovered the ultimate combination that guarantees mouth-watering results every time. Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to consistently perfect wings!

The Science Behind the Crispiness: Baking Powder & High-Heat Sear

The secret weapon in our seasoning arsenal is simple: baking powder. When mixed with the other spices and applied to the wings, baking powder helps to draw moisture out from the chicken skin, creating a dry surface that’s ideal for crisping. During cooking, it also subtly alters the pH of the skin, leading to enhanced browning and an unbelievably crunchy texture. This isn’t just a hack; it’s a culinary trick that makes all the difference.

But the baking powder is only half the battle. The other crucial element is our two-stage cooking technique. We start with a low temperature smoke to infuse the wings with a rich, aromatic wood flavor that only a pellet grill can deliver. This slow smoke renders some of the fat and sets the stage for crispiness. Then, we crank up the heat to finish them off with a high-temperature sear. This direct, intense heat crisps the skin to perfection, giving you that delightful crunch you crave in a truly great chicken wing.

How to Make Extra Crispy Wings on Your Traeger (Step-by-Step Guide)

Ready to transform your chicken wing game? Follow these detailed steps to achieve crispy, smoky perfection on your Traeger or any pellet grill. We’ll walk you through each stage, from preparation to the final searing, ensuring you get the best results.

Craving more delicious pellet grill recipes? Don’t miss these amazing dishes: try our Traeger Smoked Pork Chops, our Easy Smoked Burgers, or the Perfectly Smoked Meatloaf!

Perfect Pairings: Recommended Sides for Your Crispy Wings

These extra crispy Traeger chicken wings are so good, they could easily be a meal on their own. However, if you’re looking to create a more complete spread for game day, a family dinner, or your next backyard barbecue, we’ve got some fantastic side dish recommendations that perfectly complement the smoky, savory flavors of the wings. Each of these options brings a unique texture and taste to the table, ensuring a well-rounded and delightful meal.

• Fresh Salad Creations: Lighten up your meal with any of your favorite fresh salads. A crisp green salad with a zesty vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the wings. Think mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light lemon-herb dressing.
• Grilled or Roasted Vegetables: Enhance the grilled experience by adding some smoky grilled or perfectly roasted vegetables. Asparagus, bell peppers, zucchini, or even corn on the cob tossed with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grilled alongside your wings or roasted until tender-crisp, make for a healthy and flavorful addition.
• The Best Potato Salad with Bacon: For a hearty and classic side, you absolutely must try our recipe for the best potato salad with bacon. The creamy texture and savory bacon bits offer a comforting complement to the crispy wings.
• Rich and Creamy Coleslaw: A spoonful of vibrant rich and creamy coleslaw adds a cool, crunchy, and tangy element that cuts through the richness of the chicken wings beautifully. It’s a BBQ staple for a reason!
• Sweet Potato Fries or Air Fryer Potato Wedges: For those who love a potato side, you have two excellent choices. Our healthy grilled sweet potato fries offer a touch of sweetness and another layer of smoky flavor. Alternatively, whip up some air fryer potato wedges for a crispy, easy-to-make option that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Elevate Your Wings: An Easy Homemade Buffalo Sauce

While these Traeger chicken wings are incredibly flavorful on their own, a classic buffalo sauce takes them to an entirely new level. Our recipe includes an incredibly simple yet supremely delicious homemade buffalo sauce that is the perfect partner to these smoky, crispy beauties. Forget store-bought sauces; this easy-to-make version is packed with authentic flavor and can be customized to your preferred level of spice.

This versatile sauce gives you options for serving. You can toss the freshly cooked wings directly in the warm buffalo sauce for a complete coating, ensuring every bite is drenched in tangy, spicy goodness. For those who prefer a lighter touch or like to control their spice level, serving the sauce on the side for dipping is an excellent choice. Or, for an appealing presentation and a subtle flavor boost, simply drizzle it generously over a plate of hot wings. However you choose to serve it, this buffalo sauce is guaranteed to be a hit!

The Recipe: Extra Crispy Traeger Chicken Wings

Get ready to cook the best chicken wings of your life! This recipe combines the deep, smoky flavor of your pellet grill with a clever technique for achieving unparalleled crispiness. Complete with an optional homemade buffalo sauce, this dish is perfect for any occasion.

Traeger Chicken Wings (Extra-Crispy!)

These chicken wings are deliciously crispy and packed with smoky flavor, made right on your Traeger or any pellet grill. Smoked to perfection with an easy seasoning blend and then cooked up nice and crispy at the end. Toss them in some buffalo sauce or serve on the side, and get ready to dig in!

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 55 mins

Total Time: 1 hr

Servings: 4

User Rating: 4.92 from 146 ratings

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Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings
• 1 tbsp avocado oil

For the seasoning:

• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp chili powder

For the buffalo sauce (optional):

• 1/4 cup hot sauce (like Franks Red Hot)
• 1 tbsp ghee, melted (can substitute butter or use avocado oil for dairy-free)
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Equipment

• Smoker (Pellet Grill like Traeger)
• Large mixing bowl
• Small bowl for seasoning
• Tongs
• Instant-read meat thermometer (highly recommended)

Instructions

1. Preheat your pellet grill: Preheat your Traeger or pellet grill to 225° Fahrenheit (107°C). While it heats, prepare your seasoning blend by combining baking powder, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder in a small bowl.
2. Prepare the wings: Place the chicken wings in a large bowl. Drizzle them with avocado oil and toss until each wing is lightly coated. Then, sprinkle the mixed seasoning evenly over the oiled wings. Toss again thoroughly, ensuring every wing is fully coated for optimal flavor and crispiness.
3. First smoke: Arrange the seasoned wings on the grill grates in a single layer, making sure there’s space between each wing for even smoke distribution. Close the lid and smoke for 30 minutes at 225°F (107°C). This low-and-slow phase infuses them with delicious smoky flavor.
4. High-heat crisping: After 30 minutes, increase the grill temperature to 450° Fahrenheit (232°C). Flip the wings and continue cooking for another 25-30 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness and an internal temperature of 180°-190°F (82°-88°C). Flip the wings every 5-6 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
   Important Note: Keep a close eye on the wings after turning up the heat. If your pellet grill has hot spots, move the wings around to prevent uneven cooking or potential flare-ups from dripping fat. While rare on Traeger grills, it’s always good to be cautious. The minimum safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C), but for truly tender meat and crispy skin, aiming for 180°-190°F is recommended for wings.
5. Prepare and serve sauce: While the wings are in their final cooking stage, whisk together the hot sauce, melted ghee (or butter/avocado oil), lemon juice, smoked paprika, and garlic powder in a small bowl if you’re making the optional buffalo sauce. Once the wings are done, you can either toss them directly in the warm buffalo sauce to coat completely or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

The nutrition information provided is an estimate per serving and is calculated without the optional buffalo sauce. It’s intended for those following a Ketogenic or low-carb diet. For a full disclosure regarding our nutritional information, please refer to our nutrition page.

Nutrition

Calories: 310 kcal

Carbohydrates: 2 g

Protein: 23 g

Fat: 23 g

Saturated Fat: 6 g

Fiber: 0.3 g

Course: Main Course, Appetizer

Author: Justin Winn

Cuisine: American

Expert Tips for Perfect Pellet Grill Chicken Wings

Mastering crispy wings on a pellet grill involves a few key details. Here are some extra tips and tricks to ensure your wings turn out perfect every single time:

• Pat the Wings Dry: Before applying oil and seasoning, always pat your chicken wings thoroughly dry with paper towels. Excess moisture on the skin is the enemy of crispiness. The drier the surface, the better the baking powder and high heat can work their magic.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Grill: Arrange the wings in a single layer on the grill grates, leaving a small gap between each piece. Overcrowding reduces airflow, which can lead to uneven cooking and prevent the skin from getting truly crispy. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Use an Instant-Read Thermometer: While timing is a good guide, the most accurate way to ensure your wings are perfectly cooked is by using an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of a wing, avoiding the bone. As mentioned, 165°F (74°C) is safe, but 180°-190°F (82°-88°C) provides a superior texture for wings.
• Monitor for Flare-Ups: Especially during the high-heat searing phase, keep an eye on your grill for potential flare-ups caused by dripping fat. While Traeger grills are generally good at managing this, it’s always wise to be present and ready to move wings if needed to prevent burning.
• Resting Period: Once cooked, allow the wings to rest for 5-10 minutes before saucing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.
• Wing Separation: If you buy whole chicken wings (often called “party wings” or “wingettes and drumettes”), you can separate them at the joint before cooking. This helps them cook more evenly and makes them easier to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crispy Traeger Chicken Wings

Can I use this recipe for other types of grills?

While this recipe is optimized for pellet grills like a Traeger to maximize smoky flavor, the two-stage cooking method (low-and-slow then high-heat sear) can be adapted for other grills. On a gas grill, you can use a smoke tube for flavor during the low-heat phase. For charcoal grills, manage your coals to maintain stable low and high temperatures. The baking powder is key to crispiness regardless of the grill type.

What if I don’t have baking powder?

Baking powder is truly the secret ingredient for maximum crispiness. However, if you’re in a pinch, you can still achieve decent crispiness with high heat and a dry rub. Some people use cornstarch, but baking powder has proven to be more effective in our tests for drawing out moisture and promoting browning.

Can I prepare the wings ahead of time?

You can season the wings up to 24 hours in advance and store them uncovered in the refrigerator. This allows the seasoning to penetrate the meat and helps dry out the skin even further, which contributes to crispiness. Just make sure they are on a rack over a baking sheet to allow air circulation.

How do I store and reheat leftover wings?

Store any leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat and retain crispiness, we recommend using an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, or baking them in an oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway. Avoid the microwave, as it will make them soggy.

Can I adjust the spice level of the buffalo sauce?

Absolutely! The homemade buffalo sauce recipe is a great starting point. For a milder sauce, use less hot sauce or add a touch more ghee/butter. For extra heat, incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper or a spicier hot sauce. Taste and adjust until it’s perfect for your palate.

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