Figuring out how many chicken wings to buy when feeding a large group can be tricky. There are a few factors to consider like the number of people attending, how many wings each person will eat, what size wings you’re buying, and whether you’ll need extra for snacking. With some simple calculations, planning for the right amount of wings is easy.
How Many Wings Does Each Person Eat?
The first thing to figure out is how many wings each person will eat on average. This can vary quite a bit based on the size of the wings and how hungry your guests are. Here are some general guidelines for estimating per person wing consumption:
- Small wings (drumettes): 5-10 wings per person
- Medium wings: 8-12 wings per person
- Large wings: 10-18 wings per person
For a hearty appetizer where wings are the main snack or meal, plan for the higher end of these ranges. If serving wings along with other snacks or dishes, the lower end may be sufficient.
An average for a typical wing night is around 10-15 wings per adult. If you estimate 12 wings on average per person and are feeding 25 people, that equals 300 wings total so far.
Adjust for Quantity and Kids
Now that you have a per person estimate, you can adjust your total up or down based on your exact guest list. Here are two factors that might change your calculations:
- Kids – Children and teens tend to eat fewer wings than adults. You can estimate 3-5 wings per child as an average.
- Leftovers – When buying wings for a large group, add extra for people who want to snack throughout the event. Add an extra 10-20% onto your total as a buffer.
So for example, if 5 out of the 25 guests are kids who will eat 20 total wings, and you want to add a 15% leftover buffer, the adjusted calculation would be:
- 25 adults x 12 wings each = 300 wings
- 5 kids x 4 wings each = 20 wings
- 15% extra for leftovers = 45 extra wings
- Total Wings Needed: 300 + 20 + 45 = 365 wings
Buy Wings by the Pound
When purchasing wings for a crowd, you’ll usually get the best value by buying in bulk by the pound rather than in fixed quantities. Here’s a simple way to estimate how many pounds of wings to buy:
- Look up the average wings per pound. This varies by the size of the wings, but common ranges are:
- Small wings: 16-20 wings per lb
- Medium wings: 12-16 wings per lb
- Large wings: 8-12 wings per lb
How to Buy the Right Amount
Here are some final tips for buying the perfect quantity of wings for your crowd:
- Ask your caterer or restaurant for advice on portions if you’re ordering wings to be delivered or served.
- Order extra sauces and dressings for the wings. Plan for 3-4 ounces of dipping sauce per person.
- Mix drummettes and middle wing sections for more variety.
- Keep extra cooked wings refrigerated for up to 4 days after.
- Consider having vegetarian or boneless wings on hand for those who don’t eat chicken wings.
Wing Consumption by Person
Here is a summary table of typical wing consumption estimates per person:
| Guest | Wing Size | Wings Eaten |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | Small | 5-10 |
| Adult | Medium | 8-12 |
| Adult | Large | 10-18 |
| Child | Any | 3-5 |
Sample Wing Order for 25 People
Here is an example wing order for feeding 25 guests an average of 12 wings each, with extra for snacking and kids eating less:
| Wings for 25 Adults | 300 wings |
|---|---|
| Wings for 5 Kids | 20 wings |
| 15% Leftover Buffer | 45 extra wings |
| Total Wings Needed | 365 wings |
At 16 wings per pound (medium size), this would come to around 23 pounds of wings required for the event.
Key Takeaways
- Plan for 10-15 wings per adult and 3-5 for kids
- Add at least 15% extra for leftovers
- Buy wings in bulk by the pound for best value
- Have extra sauces and non-chicken options available
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days
Conclusion
Figuring out the right amount of wings for a party takes a little math, but is fairly straightforward. Start with reasonable per-person estimates based on wing sizes, multiply by your exact guest count, and add extra for snacking. Buying wings in bulk pounds at the store allows flexibility to get the perfect quantity. With these tips in mind, your wing night will be a delicious success without too many leftovers or not enough food to go around.