Smoky Spiced Grilled Buffalo Wings Recipe for Game Day

Crispy, golden wings sizzle with a mouthwatering buffalo wing recipe that promises explosive flavor in every bite.

The tangy sauce coats each perfectly crisped piece with a bold, fiery kick that beckons serious wing enthusiasts.

Weeknight dinners and game day celebrations demand these killer wings that pack serious heat.

Protein-packed and irresistibly addictive, these wings transform an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Restaurant-quality results await with just a few simple ingredients and easy techniques.

Salt, pepper, and hot sauce become your secret weapons in crafting wings that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe and become the wing master among your friends.

Serving Suggestions For Grilled Buffalo Wings

• Flavor Party Platter: Arrange wings on a large wooden board with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping. Perfect for game day or casual gatherings.
• Spicy Side Kick: Serve wings with cool cucumber salad or creamy coleslaw to balance the heat and provide a refreshing contrast to the buffalo sauce.
• Brew Buddy Pairing: Match these wings with a cold craft beer, light lager, or crisp pilsner that complements the spicy and tangy buffalo flavor. Chill glasses beforehand for extra refreshment.
• Weekend Feast Finale: Create a complete meal by adding simple sides like mac and cheese, potato wedges, or a light green salad to round out the buffalo wing experience.

Storage Tips For Grilled Buffalo Wings

• Batch Cooking Magic: Prepare a double batch of wings and refrigerate extra portions for quick weeknight meals or game day snacks.
• Advance Prep Strategy: Season and oil wings up to 24 hours before grilling to enhance flavor penetration and save time during cooking.
• Smart Refrigeration Technique: Store cooked wings in airtight containers, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain crispiness. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Cool wings completely, then freeze in sealed freezer bags for up to 2 months. Reheat in oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness and prevent sogginess.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need For Grilled Buffalo Wings

• Chicken Wings: Choose fresh, plump wings with no discoloration, preferably organic for better flavor and texture.

• Vegetable Oil: Helps create crispy exterior and prevents sticking to grill, choose neutral-flavored oil.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances natural wing flavor, use freshly ground pepper for more robust taste.

• Hot Sauce: Classic cayenne-based sauce provides signature tangy heat, select high-quality brand like Frank's RedHot.
• Butter: Creates smooth, rich sauce base, use unsalted for better control of salt levels.
• Honey: Balances spiciness with subtle sweetness, opt for raw local honey for deeper flavor profile.
• Garlic Powder: Adds aromatic depth to sauce, choose pure ground garlic without additives.

Tools To Prep Grilled Buffalo Wings

• Grill: Essential for achieving that perfect smoky flavor and crispy exterior.
• Large bowl: Needed for mixing the buffalo sauce and tossing wings.
• Paper towels: Used to pat wings dry before seasoning.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending hot sauce, butter, honey, and garlic powder smoothly.
• Tongs: Crucial for safely turning and moving wings on the grill.
• Cutting board: For preparing and handling raw chicken wings.

Instructions For Grilled Buffalo Wings

• Fire Up the Grill

Get your grill heated to a sizzling medium-high temperature. Create a hot zone and a cooler zone for perfect wing cooking.

• Prepare Wing Warriors

Grab your chicken wings and give them a quick pat dry. Massage with a light coat of oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper for maximum flavor.

• Start the Slow Cook

Place wings on the cooler side of the grill, close the lid, and let them cook gently for about 20-25 minutes. Turn them occasionally to ensure even cooking.

• Crisp and Char

Move the wings to the hot zone and grill for 2-3 minutes per side. Watch for those gorgeous golden-brown edges and slight char marks.

• Dress in Spicy Glory

Whip up a quick sauce by mixing hot sauce, melted butter, a touch of honey, and a dash of garlic powder in a big bowl. Toss the grilled wings in this fiery coating until they’re completely dressed.

Tips To Nail Grilled Buffalo Wings

• Spice Level Control: Adjust hot sauce quantity to create mild, medium, or extra-spicy buffalo wing versions based on personal heat tolerance.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare wings and marinade up to 24 hours in advance for deeper flavor infusion and convenient meal planning.
• Dietary Adaptations: Replace traditional butter with plant-based butter for dairy-free version; use gluten-free hot sauce for celiac-friendly option; substitute chicken wings with cauliflower florets for vegetarian alternative.
• Grilling Pro Tips: Use tongs for gentle wing flipping to prevent skin tearing; maintain consistent grill temperature around 375-400°F for even cooking; allow brief resting time after grilling to lock in juices and enhance overall wing texture.

Spicy Buffalo Wings Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Sizzling Grilled Buffalo Wings bring spicy, tangy flavors to classic wing lovers. Crispy exterior and juicy meat create a perfect game-day appetizer you’ll crave with each bold bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) chicken wings (split at joints, tips removed)
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (120 ml) hot sauce (like Franks RedHot)
• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp (21 g) honey (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
• 1 tsp (5 g) garlic powder
• Ranch dressing
• Blue cheese dressing
• Celery sticks
• Carrot sticks

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Instructions

1. Prep Chicken: Pat wings completely dry to guarantee maximum crispness and remove any residual moisture.
2. Season and Oil: Lightly coat wings with vegetable oil, then generously sprinkle with salt and black pepper, allowing flavors to penetrate while preparing the grill.
3. Grill Setup: Configure grill for two-zone heating – creating a hot and cooler section – and preheat to medium-high temperature, lightly oiling grates to prevent adhesion.
4. Indirect Cooking: Position wings on cooler grill section, cover with lid, and maintain consistent temperature, periodically rotating to ensure uniform cooking for 20-25 minutes.
5. Crisp Finish: Transfer wings to hotter grill zone, achieving golden-brown exterior with appealing char marks by grilling 2-3 minutes per side.
6. Buffalo Sauce Creation: Whisk hot sauce, melted butter, honey, and garlic powder in a generous mixing bowl, creating a vibrant, flavor-packed coating.
7. Final Toss: Immediately enrobe freshly grilled wings in buffalo sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum taste experience.

Notes

• Moisture Matters: Pat wings completely dry before cooking to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent soggy results.
• Seasoning Strategy: Let wings sit with salt and pepper for 15-30 minutes before grilling to enhance flavor penetration and develop deeper taste profile.
• Heat Control Technique: Maintain consistent grill temperature between 375-425°F to prevent burning while ensuring even internal cooking, using a meat thermometer for precision.
• Sauce Application Trick: Toss wings in buffalo sauce immediately after grilling while hot to help sauce adhere better and create a more intense flavor coating.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg