How Many Calories Are in 10 Buffalo Chicken Wings?

November 12, 2025 •

3 min read

Typically, a serving of 10 buffalo chicken wings can range from 700 to over 1,000 calories. This wide variation highlights that preparation and sauces play a major role in the nutritional content.

Quick Summary

The calorie amount in 10 buffalo chicken wings varies due to cooking methods and sauce choices. Deep-fried wings tend to have more calories than baked or grilled alternatives. Boneless wings, often breaded, also present a high calorie count. Understanding preparation is key to managing your intake.

Key Points

Calorie Variability: The calorie count for 10 buffalo wings varies, mainly depending on cooking methods and sauces used.
Frying vs. Baking: Deep-frying increases calories significantly compared to baking, grilling, or air-frying.
Sauce Impact: Sauces, particularly those with butter or sugar, add many calories. Lighter options or dry rubs are better choices.
Traditional vs. Boneless: Both traditional bone-in and boneless wings can be high in calories, especially when fried and breaded.
Healthy Choices: Prepare wings at home to control ingredients, and opt for baking or grilling.

Calorie Breakdown of Buffalo Chicken Wings

The number of calories in 10 buffalo chicken wings depends on the wing type, cooking method (fried, baked, or air-fried), and the sauce. The skin and fat content of traditional wings add a substantial amount of calories, especially when deep-fried. Boneless wings, while made from lean chicken breast, are often breaded and fried, which can push their calorie count surprisingly high.

Impact of Cooking Method and Sauces

The cooking method is one of the most critical factors affecting the calorie count. Deep-frying submerges the wings in hot oil, causing them to absorb a substantial amount of fat and increasing their caloric density. In contrast, baking, grilling, or air-frying wings uses little to no oil, dramatically reducing the added fat and, consequently, the calories. A study of different preparation methods revealed that baked or grilled wings can have nearly half the calories of their fried counterparts.

The sauce is another major contributor to the final calorie count. While classic hot sauce itself is relatively low in calories, the traditional buffalo sauce recipe often includes a large amount of butter to create its rich, smooth texture. Many restaurants also use sugary barbecue or creamy, high-fat sauces that can add hundreds of calories per serving. When ordering, asking for the sauce on the side or opting for a dry rub are effective strategies for calorie control.

Comparison of Wing Calories: Traditional vs. Boneless

To better illustrate the difference, here is a comparison table for a serving of 10 wings based on general restaurant figures. Actual values may vary by restaurant and sauce. As seen below, the differences can be substantial.


Wing Type	Cooking Method	Sauce	Approximate Calories (10 wings)
Traditional Bone-in	Deep-Fried	Classic Buffalo (Butter-based)	700–1000+
Traditional Bone-in	Baked/Grilled	Classic Buffalo (Lighter mix)	500–700
Boneless (Fried)	Deep-Fried	Classic Buffalo (Butter-based)	700–900+
Boneless (Grilled)	Grilled	Dry Rub / Light Sauce	400–600

How to Make Healthier Buffalo Wings at Home

For those who want to enjoy the flavor of buffalo wings without the high calorie count, preparing them at home is the best option. It provides complete control over ingredients and cooking methods. Here are some tips for a healthier wing experience:

Choose a leaner cut: Use bone-in wings for a more authentic flavor, but consider removing some of the skin before cooking. For boneless wings, stick with lean chicken breast and avoid heavy breading.
Use a low-fat cooking method: Instead of deep-frying, opt for baking, air-frying, or grilling. These methods produce a crispy skin with far less added oil and fat.
Control the sauce: Make a homemade buffalo sauce using hot sauce and a fraction of the butter, or use a low-calorie alternative like a vinegar-based sauce or dry rub. Serving the sauce on the side allows for dipping, which further reduces the amount consumed.
Balance your meal: Serve wings with healthy sides like celery sticks, carrot sticks, or a light salad instead of french fries or other high-calorie sides. This helps to create a more balanced meal that is lower in calories overall.

The Role of Protein

Despite the high calorie and fat content of many restaurant-style wings, they do provide a good source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and satiety. A serving of 10 traditional wings can contain over 60 grams of protein. While this is a positive, the high levels of fat and sodium often outweigh the benefits for those watching their diet. By reducing the reliance on frying and heavy sauces, you can get the protein you need without the excess calories.

Conclusion

The number of calories in 10 buffalo chicken wings can vary dramatically based on the specific preparation. While restaurant versions can be a calorie bomb due to deep-frying and butter-heavy sauces, you can create a much healthier version at home by opting for baked or grilled wings and using lighter sauces. By understanding the factors that influence the nutritional content, you can make more informed decisions and enjoy this classic snack without derailing your health goals. For more in-depth nutritional information on thousands of food items, consider exploring reputable databases like the USDA's FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions

Neither is inherently lower in calories. Boneless wings are often made from lean chicken breast but are frequently breaded and fried, which drives up the calorie count. Traditional wings, if baked or grilled, can be a healthier option than fried boneless versions.

Restaurant buffalo wings are almost always fried and served with butter-heavy sauce. A serving of 10 traditional wings from a restaurant can easily contain 700 to over 1,000 calories.

The most effective way is to bake, air-fry, or grill the wings instead of deep-frying them. Additionally, use a lighter sauce or dry rub, and ask for dipping sauce on the side.

Yes, the sauce can add a significant number of calories. Traditional buffalo sauce is made with butter, and many other popular sauces are high in sugar and fat. Opting for a dry rub or a vinegar-based hot sauce can drastically lower the calorie count.

Yes, you can include buffalo wings in a balanced diet by preparing them in a healthier way at home. Focus on baking or grilling, using low-calorie sauces, and managing your portion size to stay within your dietary goals.

Cooking method has a huge impact. Deep-frying causes the chicken to absorb large amounts of oil, increasing fat and calories. Baking or air-frying uses far less oil, resulting in a much lower-calorie dish.

To make a more balanced meal, serve wings with high-fiber, low-calorie sides. Good options include celery and carrot sticks, steamed broccoli, or a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette.