Are Buffalo Wild Wings Traditional Wings Keto? Navigating Your Low-Carb Options

November 5, 2025 •

3 min read

A small snack-size order of plain traditional wings at Buffalo Wild Wings contains 0g of carbs, making the base chicken a perfect fit for a ketogenic diet. So, are buffalo wild wings traditional wings keto after adding flavor? The final verdict depends entirely on your choice of sauce or dry seasoning.

Quick Summary

Traditional, bone-in wings from Buffalo Wild Wings are a viable low-carb option, while boneless wings are not. Success on a ketogenic diet at this restaurant involves selecting unbreaded wings and opting for low-carb sauces or dry rubs, steering clear of sugary glazes and high-carb sides.

Key Points

Choose Traditional, Not Boneless: Always select the bone-in traditional wings, as boneless versions are breaded and high in carbs, making them unsuitable for a keto diet.
Stick to Dry Seasonings: Dry rubs like Lemon Pepper, Salt & Vinegar, and Desert Heat are reliable low-carb options for flavoring your wings.
Select Low-Carb Sauces: Classic sauces like Mild, Medium, Hot, and Wild are generally keto-friendly. Spicy Garlic and Parmesan Garlic are also good choices.
Avoid Sugary Sauces: Sweet sauces such as Asian Zing, Honey BBQ, and Teriyaki contain high amounts of sugar and should be avoided to prevent carb overload.
Order Keto-Friendly Sides: Opt for celery sticks with blue cheese or ranch dressing for a low-carb, high-fat side dish.
Customize Your Order: Don't be afraid to specify how you want your wings prepared and sauced to ensure they align with your dietary needs.

The Core Difference: Traditional vs. Boneless

For those adhering to a ketogenic diet, understanding the fundamental difference between traditional and boneless wings at Buffalo Wild Wings is paramount. The distinction is simple yet critical for managing carbohydrate intake. Traditional wings are bone-in and fried without any breading or flour, meaning the chicken itself has a natural macronutrient profile perfectly suited for a keto lifestyle—high in fat and protein, and virtually zero carbs.

In stark contrast, boneless wings are essentially breaded chicken nuggets. The crispy coating that makes them so popular is made from flour-based breading, which is a major source of carbohydrates. A snack-size order of boneless wings contains a staggering amount of carbs (e.g., 50g net carbs for 8 wings), which is enough to kick most people out of ketosis for the entire day.

Keto-Approved Flavoring Options

While the traditional wings themselves are keto-safe, the sauce or dry seasoning you choose is the next key consideration. Sweet sauces are loaded with sugar and should be avoided, but many of Buffalo Wild Wings' signature flavors are low-carb and ideal for your diet.

Low-Carb Sauces

Blazin'®: As one of the hottest options, its carb count is low.
Hot, Medium, Mild, and Wild®: The classic buffalo sauces are traditionally made with butter and hot sauce, keeping carbs minimal.
Spicy Garlic: Combines the low-carb base with a savory garlic kick.
Parmesan Garlic: A creamy, buttery option that adds a savory richness with a relatively low carb count.

Keto-Friendly Dry Seasonings

Dry seasonings are often the safest bet, as they are naturally lower in carbs than most sauces. A snack-size of wings with a dry rub typically adds only 1g of carbs.

Buffalo: A dry version of the classic flavor.
Desert Heat™: Offers a spicy kick with minimal carbs.
Chipotle BBQ: Delivers smoky, spicy flavor without the sugary glaze of traditional BBQ sauce.
Lemon Pepper: A tangy, zesty, and reliably low-carb choice.
Salt & Vinegar: A favorite for those who enjoy a sharp, salty flavor profile.

The High-Carb Pitfalls to Avoid

To successfully stay in ketosis, it's just as important to know what to avoid as what to choose. Many seemingly innocent menu items are loaded with hidden sugars and starches.

Boneless Wings: As previously mentioned, the breading makes these a major no-go.
Sugary Sauces: Steer clear of Asian Zing®, Honey BBQ, Sweet BBQ, Teriyaki, and Mango Habanero™, which contain high amounts of sugar.
Sides and Appetizers: Fries, onion rings, and other breaded or fried appetizers are not keto-friendly.
Carrot Sticks: While celery is fine, carrots contain more sugar and carbs, so opt for celery instead.
Sweetened Drinks: Cocktails, regular soda, and other sugary beverages are also off-limits.

Building a Keto-Approved Order

Here is how to create a satisfying and keto-friendly meal at Buffalo Wild Wings:

The Main Event: Order traditional, bone-in wings. Specify that they should not be breaded, even though the standard preparation is unbreaded.
The Flavor: Choose a low-carb sauce or a dry seasoning from the approved list. For example, order 'Traditional Wings, Dry Seasoning Lemon Pepper'.
The Side: Request celery sticks with a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing. Both are low-carb and high in fat.
The Beverage: Drink water, unsweetened tea, or a low-carb alcoholic beverage if you are following a relaxed keto plan.

Traditional vs. Boneless Wings: A Keto Comparison


Feature	Traditional (Bone-In) Wings	Boneless Wings
Breading	None	Yes
Carb Count	Low (0g plain)	High (20g+ plain)
Keto Suitability	Yes	No
Primary Macronutrient	Fat and Protein	Protein and Carbs
Sauce Impact	Sauce choice determines carb count	Breaded base makes carbs too high regardless of sauce

Conclusion

In conclusion, Buffalo Wild Wings traditional, bone-in wings are an excellent keto-friendly option, provided you make the right choices when it comes to sauces and seasonings. By opting for unbreaded wings with a dry rub or a classic, sugar-free sauce, you can enjoy this favorite restaurant food without compromising your dietary goals. Just remember to avoid the breaded boneless wings and sugary glazes, and stick to celery with ranch or blue cheese for a side. With a little planning, eating out on a keto diet can be both simple and delicious.

Visit Buffalo Wild Wings' Nutrition Page for the most up-to-date nutritional information

Frequently Asked Questions

No, boneless wings at Buffalo Wild Wings are breaded and are a significant source of carbohydrates, which will break ketosis. You should only order the traditional, bone-in wings.

A small order of plain, traditional bone-in wings contains 0g of carbohydrates, as chicken wings are naturally low in carbs.

You should avoid all sauces that contain sugar, such as Asian Zing, Honey BBQ, Sweet BBQ, Teriyaki, and Mango Habanero, as they are high in carbs.

Yes, dry seasonings are often the safest and lowest-carb choice. Options like Lemon Pepper, Salt & Vinegar, and Desert Heat are typically very low in carbs.

For a keto-friendly side, order celery sticks with blue cheese or ranch dressing. You should avoid carrot sticks and fries.

The carb counts for the classic buffalo sauces are all very low. The Mild, Medium, Hot, and Wild options are generally safe for a keto diet.

Yes, both ranch and blue cheese dressings are high in fat and low in carbs, making them a great keto-friendly dip for your wings and celery.