These Spicy Garlic Wings taste just like the Buffalo Wild Wings Spicy Garlic Chicken Wings: spicy, garlicky, slightly sweet and tangy, with a crisp finish straight from the oven.
Recipe Video
Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Spicy Garlic Chicken Wings
This is a faithful copycat of Buffalo Wild Wings’ Spicy Garlic Chicken Wings. The recipe is simple, cost-effective and much lighter than deep-fried wings because these are baked to a crunchy finish. The real magic is in the sauce and the technique that makes the wings golden and crisp without frying.
The sauce — a garlic-infused butter blended with hot sauce, Worcestershire and a touch of honey — is bright, savory and slightly sweet. Simmering the sauce brings the flavors together and releases an irresistible aroma. You can prepare the sauce ahead of time, then toss it with freshly baked wings at serving time for the best texture and flavor.
Spicy Garlic Wings Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken wings: flats and drumettes (your preferred quantity).
- For marinating: white vinegar, canola oil, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper powder and baking powder.
- For the spicy garlic sauce: butter, minced garlic, hot cayenne pepper sauce (Frank’s or similar), Worcestershire sauce, honey, cayenne powder, and crushed black pepper.
Pro tip: Frank’s RedHot works well here, but any cayenne-style hot sauce will do.
What do Spicy Garlic Wings taste like?
They are garlicky and spicy with a subtle sweetness and a hint of tang. The baked wings are crisp on the outside and tender inside, while the sauce is rich, buttery and perfect for dipping or tossing.
Tips for ultra-crispy baked chicken wings
Baked wings can be as crisp as fried wings if you follow a few key steps. Use baking powder as a dry rub component — it raises the pH and dries the skin, helping it brown and crisp. Pat the wings completely dry, rub with the marinade and the baking powder, then bake on a raised rack so air circulates around each piece.
Bake at 425°F (220°C), about 20 minutes per side for an average wing, until golden and crisp. If you want extra crunch, lightly sprinkle a bit more baking powder on the wings just before baking.
How to make the Copycat Spicy Garlic Sauce
Make the sauce in two simple steps:
- Infuse the butter with garlic: Melt butter over medium heat, add minced or chopped garlic and cook until the garlic turns just golden. Strain and discard the solids, keeping the garlic-infused butter.
- Combine and simmer: In a saucepan, whisk together cayenne-style hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, cayenne powder, crushed black pepper and the garlic-infused butter. Simmer 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors, then remove from heat.
Make ahead: Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Rewarm gently before using.
Storage and reheating
These wings are best served hot and fresh. If you let them sit in sauce for too long they will soften and lose crispness. Store leftover sauce in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat wings briefly in a hot oven to refresh their crispness, then toss in warm sauce just before serving. Freezing cooked wings is not recommended, as thawing and reheating often makes them soggy.
How to make Spicy Garlic Wings — Step by step
Steps in words below pictures
How to make Spicy Garlic Wings? Step by step
- Marinate the chicken wings: Wash and pat dry the wings. Rub them with vinegar, oil, baking powder, onion powder, garlic powder and cayenne powder.
- Arrange on a rack: Line a baking tray with foil, place a rack on top and space the wings so they are not crowded. Optionally sprinkle a touch more baking powder on top.
- Bake at 425°F / 220°C: Preheat the oven and bake for about 40 minutes total, flipping once after 20 minutes, until the skin is crisp and golden.
- Prepare garlic butter: Melt butter, add garlic, cook until just golden, then strain to keep the flavored butter.
- Make the spicy garlic sauce: Combine hot sauce, Worcestershire, honey, cayenne powder, black pepper and the garlic-infused butter; simmer 2–3 minutes and remove from heat.
- Toss and serve: Place the hot baked wings in a large bowl, pour the warm sauce over them and toss until well coated. Serve immediately.
Try more easy recipes from Foodies Terminal for additional inspiration.
Spicy Garlic Wings
Watch Recipe Video
Copycat Buffalo Wild Wings Spicy Garlic Chicken Wings — easy and delicious, ideal for a crowd or a quick appetizer. These wings are spicy, garlicky, slightly sweet and tangy.
Ingredients
For marinating the chicken wings
- About 0.734 lb (333 g) chicken wings — flats & drumettes (approx. 9 wings)
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp brown sugar
- ½ tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp canola oil
For the copycat spicy garlic sauce
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ cup cayenne-style hot sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp cayenne powder
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
Flash marinate the wings
- Wash and dry the wings thoroughly so there is no surface moisture.
- Combine the marinating ingredients and rub the wings well to coat.
- Line a baking tray with foil and set an oven rack on top. Arrange the wings in a single layer without overcrowding and sprinkle a little extra baking powder if desired.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake for 20 minutes, flip the wings, then bake another 20 minutes until crisp and golden.
Make the spicy garlic sauce
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook just until the garlic turns golden, then strain out and discard the solids to keep the infused butter.
- In the same pan, combine the hot sauce, honey, Worcestershire, cayenne powder, black pepper and the garlic-infused butter. Whisk and simmer for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.
Finish the wings
- Transfer the hot baked wings to a large bowl. Pour the warm sauce over them and toss until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately to preserve crispness.
Notes
- Measuring units: 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 teaspoon = 5 ml.
- Cayenne-style hot sauce can be spicy — taste and adjust to your heat preference. Start with less and add more if needed.
- If you prefer milder wings, increase the honey to balance the heat.
- The recipe scales well—double or triple as needed for larger gatherings.
- Preparing garlic-infused butter is recommended for authentic flavor; as a shortcut, you can use 2 tbsp canola oil + ½ tbsp garlic powder.
- Toss hot wings in the sauce immediately before serving to keep them crisp.
Calorie and nutrition details are provided as estimates only.
Nutrition Facts (per serving — about 5 wings)
Calories: 608 kcal | Fat: 50 g | Protein: 33 g | Carbs: 6 g | Sodium: 1896 mg
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