Brace yourselves for a saucy journey packed with mouthwatering flavors, spicy challenges, and the ultimate satisfaction of conquering those fiery bites. Get ready to grab a napkin and a cold drink because we're about to take flight with hot wings!
Let's start with a little background. Hot wings, also known as Buffalo wings, have a fascinating history. Legend has it that in 1964, at a small bar in Buffalo, New York, the culinary magic happened. The bar's owner, Teressa Bellissimo, decided to whip up a quick snack for her son's friends by deep-frying chicken wings and tossing them in a tangy hot sauce. Little did she know that her creation would become a global sensation!
Hot Wings Recipe
Hot wings are really popular at my house but we are very particular with them. We have tried and tested several methods and have found the best hot wings recipe out there that is both delicious and convenient. After several attempts at using frozen wings or thawed wings we finally found the magic in fresh wings.
Here are a few things we discovered in our quest for the best wings. We began by cutting the wings from the drumette. We also didn't cover the wings in oil but instead, we put the butter in the bottom of the cookie sheet. By doing this the seasoning was directly on the chicken wings. Using fresh wings was a game changer. Since the wings weren't frozen, there was no water or ice particles to dilute the flavors. The bite was tender, juicy, and the skin, thanks to the butter was crispy and not oily or fatty. Tried and true ladies and gentleman!
Ingredients
- Butter
- Fresh chicken wings
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Chili powder
- Flour
- Hot sauce
Keep scrolling to find a full, printable recipe with a detailed ingredient list.
Recipe Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C) and line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
- Prepare the chicken wings by separating them at the joint and trimming off the wing tip. Here's a quick video on how to cut the hot wings if you are a visual learner like I am.
- In a large zip lock bag, combine the chicken wings, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and flour. Shake the bag to evenly coat the wings.
- Place the coated wings on the lined cookie sheet, leaving space between each wing.
- Bake the wings for 30 minutes, then flip them over and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 175 to 185 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl, mix melted butter and hot sauce.
- Transfer the cooked wings to a large bowl, pour the sauce over them, and toss to coat. Place the sauced wings back on the cookie sheet and bake for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Let them rest for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can adjust the heat level by choosing different hot sauce variations or adjusting the amount of chili powder in the seasoning. Adding more hot sauce or increasing the chili powder will make the wings spicier, while reducing the amounts will result in milder wings.
Absolutely! While chicken wings are the traditional choice, you can experiment with other cuts of chicken, such as drumsticks or boneless chicken strips.
To keep the wings moist, make sure not to overcook them. Monitor the cooking time closely and check the internal temperature to ensure they are fully cooked but still juicy. Additionally, tossing the wings in the sauce immediately after cooking helps to lock in moisture.
The most common dipping sauces for hot wings are blue cheese dressing and ranch dressing. These creamy and tangy options complement the spiciness of the wings. However, you can also get creative and try other dips like barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or even a spicy aioli.
More Recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Wraps
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Slow Cooker Chicken Legs (5 ingredient sauce!)
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning (makes a great homemade dip)
If you’ve tried this Hot Wings recipe or any other recipe on Bless This Mess, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.
📖 Recipe
Hot Wings Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken Wings:
- ¼ cup salted butter
- 2 pounds fresh chicken wings I used whole wings and cut them into pieces (drumettes, wingettes and dispose of tips), best if not frozen
- 2 teaspoons paprika I liked smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ⅓ cup flour
For the hot sauce:
- ¼ cup salted butter melted
- ¼ cup hot sauce Frank's RedHot Sauce is a great option
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
- Cut the butter into thin slices and place on the line cookie sheet. Set aside.
- Cut your chicken pieces as needed. You are going to separate the chicken pieces at the joint and trim off the tip of the wing (discard tip). This makes for the smaller hot wings pieces of meat like you'd get at a restaurant. Here's a short video on how to cut your chicken pieces.
- In a large zip lock bag, place the chicken wings and sprinkle the spices: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, ground black pepper, and chili powder. Close the bag and toss around to cover all chicken wings evenly with the spices.
- Add the flour and massage the bag so it evenly coats the wings.
- Place the chicken wings on a single layer, leaving room enough around them on the cookie sheet.
- Bake in the preheat for 30 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 175 to 185 degrees F.
- While the chicken wings are cooking, mix in a medium bowl the butter, and hot sauce. Mix until combined.
- Once the chicken wings are cooked, place them in a large bowl and pour the sauce over them. Toss using 2 large forks until all chicken wings are coated with the sauce.
- Place the wings back on the cookie sheet and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes.
- Let the wings rest for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve hot and Enjoy!
Notes
- Do I need to line my cookie sheet with aluminum foil? No, however, it makes cleaning a lot easier.
- Favorite dips for chicken wings: Ranch, avocado ranch, honey mustard
- Storage: Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To re-warm: Place them into the air fryer at 380 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Have fun with the recipe: Add some honey or maple syrup to the hot sauce.
Omit the Chili powder and add some lemon pepper to the rub. - There's a variety of hot sauces you can use, Frank's RedHot Sauce is that signature buffalo hot wings sauce that most people use. It's vinegary and the flavor most people are expecting when they thing of hot wings.
Nutrition
Baked Buffalo Wings bring together the thrill of heat, the satisfaction of indulging in crispy chicken, and the joy of exploring a variety of delicious sauces. So, grab some napkins, gather your friends, and embark on a fiery journey of flavor with hot wings that will surely spice up any occasion!
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