Buffalo chicken wings are a popular choice for game days, parties, or just a satisfying meal But if you’re watching your carb intake—whether for keto, low-carb dieting, or health reasons—you might be wondering exactly how many carbs you’re consuming when you indulge in these spicy treats
The Quick Answer
According to the information provided:
- Plain traditional wings (without sauce) contain 0 grams of carbs
- Buffalo wings with hot sauce can contain as little as 0.2g total carbs per serving
- A standard serving (343g) of buffalo wings contains approximately 20g of carbs
- The carb count varies significantly depending on preparation method and sauce
Breaking Down the Carb Content
The carbohydrate content in buffalo chicken wings varies dramatically based on three main factors:
- Preparation method (breaded vs. unbreaded)
- Sauce type (plain, hot sauce, BBQ, etc.)
- Serving size (number of wings, weight)
Plain Wings vs. Sauced Wings
The chicken wing itself (without any coating or sauce) contains virtually no carbs. According to Carb Manager, plain wings have 0g carbs This makes plain wings an excellent choice for keto dieters
However, once you add sauce, the carb count changes:
- Buffalo wings with traditional hot sauce: 0.1-0.2g net carbs per serving (6 wing halves)
- Wings with sweet sauces like BBQ or honey garlic: Up to 17g additional carbs
Serving Size Matters
According to the data provided:
- A standard 343g serving contains 20g carbs
- Carb Manager lists 0.2g total carbs and 0.1g net carbs for 6 half wings (140.63g serving)
- A serving of 10 traditional plain wings contains 0g carbs
Carbs in Different Buffalo Wing Sauces
The sauce is where most of the carbs in buffalo wings come from, Here’s a breakdown of popular wing sauces (per 2 tablespoons)
| Sauce Type | Calories | Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| Ranch Dressing | 160 | 1g |
| Blue Cheese Dressing | 130 | 1g |
| Mild Sauce | 50 | 2g |
| Parmesan Garlic Sauce | 130 | 3g |
| Hot Sauce | 35 | 5g |
| Sweet Barbeque Sauce | 45 | 10g |
| Teriyaki Sauce | 45 | 11g |
| Honey Garlic Sauce | 70 | 17g |
As you can see, creamy dressings like ranch and blue cheese are surprisingly low in carbs, while sweet sauces like honey garlic pack the most carbs.
Buffalo Wings for Different Diets
Keto-Friendly Options
If you’re following a keto diet, you’ll want to stick to:
- Unbreaded wings
- Hot sauce or mild sauce (check for added sugar)
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping
- Celery sticks as a side (not carrots, which are higher in carbs)
A serving of traditional buffalo wings with hot sauce contains just 0.1-0.2g net carbs, making them perfect for keto.
Low-Carb Diet Options
For those on a more moderate low-carb diet:
- Stick to dry-rubbed wings or those with lower-carb sauces
- Avoid breaded wings and sweet sauces
- Be mindful of portion sizes
What to Avoid
If watching carbs, avoid:
- Breaded wings (adds significant carbs)
- Sweet sauces like BBQ, teriyaki, or honey garlic
- Boneless wings (usually breaded)
- Traditional sides like fries or onion rings
Buffalo Wings Nutritional Profile
Beyond just carbs, here’s what you’re getting in buffalo wings:
For a 6 half-wing serving (according to Carb Manager):
- Calories: 441
- Total Carbs: 0.2g
- Net Carbs: 0.1g
- Protein: 25.6g
- Fat: 37g
- Sodium: 603.8mg
For a standard serving (343g):
- Calories: 860
- Total Carbs: 20g
- Protein: 46g
- Fat: 66g
Are Buffalo Wings Healthy?
Buffalo wings aren’t typically considered a health food due to their high fat and calorie content. However, they do offer some nutritional benefits:
Benefits:
- High in protein (6g per wing)
- Contains essential vitamins and minerals like iron, selenium, and B vitamins
- Can be suitable for low-carb and keto diets when prepared properly
- The chicken provides nutrients that support bone health and immune function
Drawbacks:
- High in calories and fat
- Often deep-fried
- Can be high in sodium
- Commercial wings may contain antibiotics or other additives
Making Lower-Carb Buffalo Wings at Home
I’ve found that making my own buffalo wings at home gives me more control over the carb content. Here’s a simple keto-friendly recipe:
Keto Buffalo Wings Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 7 tablespoons butter
- 100ml low-sugar hot sauce
- 20g full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Mix yogurt, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne, and half the hot sauce
- Marinate the chicken for about 20 minutes
- Bake wings at 400°F for 30 minutes until crispy
- Heat remaining hot sauce in a saucepan
- Stir in butter until melted and sauce bubbles
- Toss wings in the sauce before serving
Serve with a side of celery and low-carb blue cheese dipping sauce for a complete keto-friendly meal.
Restaurant Wings vs. Homemade
When ordering at restaurants, be aware that carb counts can be much higher than homemade versions. For example, Buffalo Wild Wings’ traditional wings with hot sauce contain very few carbs per wing, but their boneless wings with sweet sauces can reach over 100g carbs per order!
Tips for ordering keto-friendly wings at restaurants:
- Ask for traditional (bone-in) wings, not boneless
- Request dry rub instead of sauce, or stick to hot sauce
- Skip the fries and get a side salad instead
- Ask if their sauces contain added sugar
The Bottom Line on Buffalo Wing Carbs
So, how many carbs are in buffalo wings? The answer ranges from practically zero for plain wings to 20g or more for a full serving with sweet sauce.
For the most accurate count:
- Plain traditional wings: 0g carbs
- Wings with hot sauce: 0.1-0.2g net carbs per serving
- Standard restaurant serving: Around 20g carbs
- Wings with sweet sauces: Can exceed 20g carbs
Buffalo wings can definitely fit into a low-carb lifestyle when you choose wisely. By sticking to traditional wings with hot sauce or dry rub, and avoiding breading and sweet sauces, you can enjoy this classic treat without derailing your diet goals.
Remember that moderation is key, and pair your wings with low-carb sides like celery sticks and ranch or blue cheese dressing for a satisfying meal that won’t break your carb bank.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy buffalo wings while keeping the carbs in check? I’d love to hear your strategies in the comments!
Cooked Chicken Wings (Baked, Grilled, Fried without Breading)
When it comes to cooked chicken wings, the carb content can vary slightly depending on the cooking method and any seasonings used. Here’s the nutritional breakdown for one small wing (yield after cooking, bone removed), which weighs approximately 42 grams:
- Calories: 136.5 kCal
- Total Carbs: 4.6 g
- Net Carbs: 4.5 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
Baked, grilled, or fried chicken wings without breading are still relatively low in carbs, but they do contain a small amount of carbohydrates. This minimal carb content comes from any seasonings or marinades used during cooking. By choosing low-carb seasonings and avoiding sugary sauces, you can keep the carb count as low as possible. These cooked wings still make a tasty and mostly guilt-free option for your low-carb or keto diet, allowing you to indulge without straying too far from your dietary goals.
Popular Chicken Wings and Their Carb Content
Chicken wings come in a variety of flavors, each with its own carb content to consider when following a low-carb or keto diet. Here’s a breakdown of the carb content in some popular wing flavors:
Buffalo wings are a classic favorite known for their spicy kick. For a serving size of 6 half wings (about 140.63g), you can expect approximately 0.2 grams of carbs. These wings are typically coated in a tangy Buffalo sauce that adds flavor without significantly increasing carb intake. However, remember that Buffalo Wings calories are around 440.6 kcal.
BBQ wings offer a sweet and smoky flavor profile. A serving size of 3 wings (about 100g) contains around 9 grams of carbs. BBQ sauce tends to be higher in sugars and carbohydrates due to its sweet base, so it’s important to enjoy these wings in moderation if you’re watching your carb intake.
Teriyaki wings provide a savory-sweet taste with an Asian-inspired flair. Each serving of 3 wings (about 100g) contains approximately 2 grams of carbs. Teriyaki sauce is a sticky sauce that typically contains soy sauce, sugar, and other ingredients that contribute to its carb content, albeit at a lower level compared to BBQ sauce.
- Honey Garlic: A serving size of 2 pieces (about 100g) of honey garlic wings contains around 7 grams of carbs. Honey garlic wings are known for their sticky sweetness balanced with garlic flavors.
- Lemon Pepper: Lemon pepper wings are often enjoyed dry-rubbed, containing no carbs in a serving size of 2 wings (amount unspecified). This flavor profile offers tangy citrus notes with a hint of black pepper.
CHEAP Healthy Food Swaps: BUFFALO WILD WINGS
FAQ
How many carbs are in a buffalo chicken wings?
Buffalo chicken wings (6 wing – half wing) contains 0.2g total carbs, 0.1g net carbs, 37g fat, 25.6g protein, and 441 calories. Monounsat. Fat Polyunsat. Fat
How many calories are in Buffalo Wild Wings chicken wings?
There are 216 calories in 3 Buffalo Wild Wings Chicken Wings. Click here to edit. What is my Recommended Daily Intake (RDI)? Calorie breakdown: 65% fat, 0% carbs, 35% protein.
How many carbs are in Buffalo Wild Wings?
The carb count in Buffalo Wild Wings increases as you order more wings, presumably because more sauce is required. These are your choices with under 5g of total carbs: Blazin Carolina Reaper: Calories 780, Carbs 5g, Fat 45.5g, Protein 89g
How many carbs are in chicken wings?
A serving of 10 traditional plain wings (without the sauce) contains 0 grams of carbs. Add sauce, and that number quickly rises, adding up to 17 additional grams of carbs. Breaded boneless wings tossed in a sweet honey barbeque sauce can reach upwards of 108 grams of carbs! The breading and sweet sauce quickly causes carb count to soar sky-high.
Are buffalo wings keto?
General guidelines of the Ketogenic Diet stipulate 60-75% of your food should be from fat, therefore Buffalo wings factor in quite nicely. Traditional wings, before any sauce is added, contain zero carbs. Chicken wings, with the skin on but without the breading, are a perfect choice for the keto diet because they provide a good amount of fat.
Are buffalo wings calorie dense?
Deep-fried foods like Buffalo wings are calorie-dense because of their high-fat content. Baked Buffalo wings make a lower calorie option over the deep-fried variety. Spicy sauces tend to be lower in calories than creamy dressings, like ranch and blue cheese. Boneless, breaded honey barbeque wings provide a whopping 960 calories.
How many carbs are in 10 buffalo wild wings?
| CALS | CARB(G) | |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Heat® Seasoning | 5 | 1 |
| Lemon Pepper Seasoning | 5 | 1 |
| Salt & Vinegar Seasoning | 5 | 1 |
| 10 COUNT TRADITIONAL WINGS, add Signature Sauce or Dry Seasoning | 720 | 0 |
Can you eat buffalo wings on a low carb diet?
If you’re following a low-carb, high-fat diet, chicken wings can be a delicious and satisfying option for you.Jan 31, 2023
How many carbs are in 5 buffalo wings?
| Nutrient | Value |
|---|---|
| Cholesterol | 180mg |
| Sodium | 1630mg |
| Carbs | 3g |
| Net carbs | 3g |
How many carbs are in 10 chicken wings?
| Nutrient | Value |
|---|---|
| Net carbs | 4g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Protein | 68g |