Your Ultimate Plant-Based Guide to Buffalo Wings for the Super Bowl

On Superbowl Sunday sports bars and private watch parties will ignite with electrifying energy, uniting football fans for an unforgettable night of thrilling passes, roaring crowds, delicious Super Bowl party foods, and shared excitement that will likely be talked about for years to come.

And, inevitably, chicken wings will be served.

Chicken Wings and the Super Bowl

Americans consume a staggering 1.45 billion chicken wings during the big game. This number, which calculates to approximately 375,000,000 chickens in a single day, has sadly become a hallmark of the annual football event, reflecting the popularity of chicken wings as a go-to snack for sports fans. This amount of wings could circle the Earth three times if laid end to end.

The History of Buffalo Wings

As their name would indicate, the modern chicken wing as we know it was popularized in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. The story goes that Teressa Bellissimo, co-owner of the bar, invented Buffalo wings when her son and his friends arrived at the bar late one night looking for a snack. She fried the wings (which were originally intended for soup) and tossed them in a hot sauce made of butter and cayenne pepper.

Plant-Based Wings: A Modern Twist on a Classic Snack

Today, the plant-based alternatives and various Buffalo sauces made with plant-based butter (or no butter at all) are readily available at every grocery store and in many restaurants. In fact, if you’re craving Buffalo wings in Buffalo (sorry, Bills), Strong Hearts has you covered.

Not in Buffalo but think that Buffalo wings are a must-have for the big game? Here are our recommendations for the best Buffalo-style plant-based wings on the market (and a bonus recipe using the very popular “drummies” from Lily’s Vegan Pantry used by Strong Hearts and other restaurants).

Best Plant-Based Buffalo Wings for Game Day

Blackbird: Crispy Seitan Wings with a Kick

Originating from Blackbird Pizza in New York City, these wings are chewier than most and the included sauce has a nice kick. These wings are made from seitan (so they are not gluten-free) and hand-battered for the perfect balance of a crispy exterior and tender interior. Four out of five stars if you can find these (Blackbird closed their brick and mortar in favor of establishing their products on grocery shelves).

Daring Chicken: Quick and Juicy Gluten-Free Wings

These gluten-free wings are tender and juicy and come pre-sauced (not quite as spicy as Blackbird wings but still spicy). Daring can be easily prepared in an air fryer, a stovetop pan, or in the oven in just eight minutes (so you can make a few batches during halftime and miss none of the game). These are a tad bit salty but otherwise excellent taste and texture.

Field Roast Wings: Potato-Based Buffalo Wings

These gluten-free plant-based Buffalo wings are actually made from Yukon Gold potatoes (so maybe they’re a little bit better for you). They come battered and fried so you can easily bake them or sauté them and they’re ready for dipping in minutes.

Gardein Chick’n Wings: Bite-Sized and Spicy

These bite-sized plant-based wings are crispy and tender and quite spicy … perfect for dipping in that Ranch dressing. Gardein also has their chick’n in other forms so you could essentially make a plant-based variety potluck with their products.

May Wah (Lily’s Vegan Pantry): Meaty Drummies for Any Sauce

If you live in New York City, you can stop into Lily’s Vegan Pantry downtown on Hester Street and pick up a bag (or two) of these drummies. If you don’t live near Manhattan, you’ll have to order online (which is what we did). These huge drummies, complete with a stick in the center, are the “meatiest” in the bunch and most versatile for countless sauces and recipes.

Simply brush with oil and bake at 350° for 30-minutes (turning once). Once the drummies are browned, simply toss in your favorite sauce. We used Sweet Baby Ray’s mixed with a half stick of butter for one batch and Woodstock BBQ sauce for the second batch. We’ve also smoked these outdoors during warmer weather which adds even more depth of flavor. If you decide to bring these to the big game, expect rave reviews from the omnivores.

Why Plant-Based Wings Are a Game-Changer

Plant-based Buffalo wings are a game-changer for your taste buds, offering all the spicy, tangy, and savory flavors you crave without harming animals. Made with crispy, perfectly seasoned plant-based proteins or even wholesome cauliflower (see below), these wings can be smothered in bold Buffalo or BBQ sauce that delivers the same satisfying kick as the classic version. By leaving the animals off your plate, you’re not only enjoying a compassionate feast but also making a choice that’s kinder to the planet and better for your health. So, grab any of these mouthwatering plant-based wings and cheer on your team with a clear conscience.

Bonus Recipe: Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

NOTE: This is a great recipe from Nora Cooks for making a healthier version with cauliflower. Whether you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer or an exciting dinner, Cauliflower Wings are the right choice. Cauliflower florets are breaded and baked until crispy, then tossed in spicy buffalo sauce and served with vegan ranch dressing on the side.

*Updated from January 2025