Sweet Spicy Wings Recipe

Name: Sweet Spicy Wings
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 6 pounds chicken wings, separated at joints, tips discarded; 1.5 cups Louisiana-style hot sauce; 1 cup honey; 0.75 cup butter; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste; 1 pinch garlic salt; 1 pinch ground black pepper

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly. Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings.

6 pounds chicken wings, separated at joints, tips discarded
1 cups Louisiana-style hot sauce
1 cup honey
cup butter
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 pinch garlic salt
1 pinch ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1: Preheat an outdoor grill to high heat. Lightly oil the grill grate.

Step 2: Grill the chicken wings on the preheated grill for 8 to 12 minutes per side, or until the juices run clear. Once cooked, remove the chicken to a large roasting pan.

Step 3: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the hot sauce, honey, butter, cayenne pepper, garlic salt, and black pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ingredients are well-blended and heated through.

Step 4: Pour the hot sauce mixture over the grilled chicken and stir to coat evenly.

Recipe Tip

You can deep-fry or bake the chicken if you prefer, but grilling gives the best flavor and texture.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories	356
Total Fat	23g (29%)
Saturated Fat	10g (52%)
Cholesterol	78mg (26%)
Sodium	896mg (39%)
Total Carbohydrates	24g (9%)
Dietary Fiber	0g (1%)
Total Sugars	24g
Protein	16g (31%)
Vitamin C	21mg (24%)
Calcium	17mg (1%)
Iron	1mg (6%)
Potassium	167mg (4%)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Sweet Spicy Wings Recipe

Sweet Spicy Wings

Origin and History

The Sweet Spicy Wings recipe, as we know it today, is a classic American favorite that combines the rich traditions of Southern-style cooking with the bold flavors of Louisiana. While the origins of hot wings are often debated, most culinary historians trace their roots to Buffalo, New York, where the famous Buffalo wings were first served in 1964. However, Sweet Spicy Wings take a slightly different approach by combining the heat of hot sauce with the sweetness of honey, offering a unique twist on the traditional wing. This fusion of sweet and spicy flavors has made it a beloved dish across the U.S., especially in sports bars and gatherings where finger foods reign supreme.

Regional Features and Variations

Sweet Spicy Wings reflect the diverse regional flavors of the U.S. The use of Louisiana-style hot sauce ties the dish to the southern states, particularly Louisiana, where bold, tangy sauces are a staple in local cuisine. The addition of honey brings a touch of the southern penchant for balancing heat with sweetness, reminiscent of barbecue sauces that frequently feature sweeteners like brown sugar or molasses. In some variations, cooks may choose to add extra spices, like garlic powder, or even mix in ingredients such as orange marmalade to create their own signature blend. This versatility allows Sweet Spicy Wings to be customized according to regional tastes and personal preferences.

What Sets Sweet Spicy Wings Apart?

While Sweet Spicy Wings share a flavor profile with classic Buffalo wings, they stand apart by offering a balance of sweetness and spice thats less common in traditional wing recipes. Buffalo wings are typically drenched in a vinegar-based hot sauce, giving them a tangy, sharp flavor. In contrast, Sweet Spicy Wings feature a rich combination of honey, butter, and cayenne pepper, which not only adds heat but also a luscious, sticky sweetness. The sauce is thicker, often resulting in a more glazed, sticky coating on the wings, which many people find more satisfying and flavorful.

Where Are Sweet Spicy Wings Usually Served?

Sweet Spicy Wings are a popular choice for parties, barbecues, and sports events, particularly in settings where finger foods are favored. Whether you're watching a game, hosting a casual gathering, or enjoying a weekend cookout, these wings are a crowd-pleaser. They are also frequently featured on restaurant appetizer menus, especially in American-style eateries and sports bars. In addition, these wings are a fantastic dish to bring to potlucks, as they can be made in large batches and are easy to serve either hot or at room temperature.

Fun Facts About Sweet Spicy Wings

Sweet Spicy Wings have become a staple for wing lovers across the world, thanks to their irresistible combination of heat and sweetness.
The recipe can easily be adapted to accommodate different spice levels. For those who prefer less heat, the amount of cayenne pepper can be reduced, or other milder hot sauces can be used.
In some variations, the wings are deep-fried for extra crispiness, but grilling them adds a smoky depth that complements the sauce perfectly.
Sweet Spicy Wings are often paired with cooling dips like ranch or blue cheese, providing a refreshing contrast to the fiery kick of the wings.
This dish is so popular that it has inspired multiple wing festivals across the U.S., where enthusiasts gather to taste and vote on the best wing recipes.

FAQ about Sweet Spicy Wings Recipe

Store the leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To keep them fresh, ensure they are fully cooled before refrigerating.

Yes, you can freeze the wings after cooking. Allow them to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

To reheat the wings, you can either bake them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or reheat them in a skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally. If reheating from frozen, it’s best to bake them at a lower temperature (around 300°F) to heat through without drying out.

Yes, you can adjust the spice level to suit your taste. For less heat, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper or hot sauce. For more heat, you can add extra cayenne, hot sauce, or even include diced jalapeños in the sauce.

Yes, you can substitute Louisiana-style hot sauce with other types of hot sauce, such as Frank's RedHot or any preferred brand. Keep in mind that the flavor profile may change slightly depending on the sauce used.

Yes, you can bake the wings instead of grilling them. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), and bake the wings on a wire rack for about 30-40 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking. Baking will result in a slightly different texture but will still be delicious.

Yes, you can make the sauce in advance. Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to use, reheat it in a saucepan over medium heat until warm.

You can marinate the wings for as little as 30 minutes or up to overnight for more intense flavor. Marinating for a longer time will allow the wings to absorb more of the sauce's flavors.

Yes, cornstarch can be added to thicken the sauce. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water, then stir it into the sauce while it’s simmering until it reaches the desired thickness.

This recipe yields 12 servings of wings, but the portion size can vary depending on how many wings you serve per person.

Comments

TRB

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

I baked my wings until they were done and after coating with the sauce, I put them back in the oven and put them under the broiler to make the sauce stick and they were outstanding! I will be making these again!!!

Victoria

09/27/2014 03:59:01 PM

I used frank's red hot wing sauce, honey, black pepper, and garlic powder. No cayenne (kid friendly) ...I fried my wings naked, seasoned to taste. Tossed in sauce afterwards.. Pizza and wing night.. Happy,full family!!!

Lena

01/12/2015 04:51:57 PM

I have been looking for something different from our traditional recipe and the sweetness of the honey and the kick from the cayenne pepper was just what we were looking for. I added a little cornstarch to thicken the sauce and added quite a bit more garlic powder and pepper to fit our taste. Since it is January, I also cooked them in the oven. I cooked them directly on the rack for 40 minutes on 400 degrees then tossed them in the sauce and baked for an additional 10-15 minutes. The adjustments were based on our personal preferences so this recipe deserves five stars.

CarolTyson

06/28/2012 11:37:34 AM

The sauce is AWESOME. It was just what I was looking for. I did try a couple more things. One batch I added 1/2 cup of orange marmalade. I also breaded the wings with flour, egg wash and Panko (in that order). Baking then keeping in a crock made it perfect for a later appetizer.

chevydmax04

01/03/2012 04:59:49 PM

I made the sauce, and added extra garlic salt and pepper and soaked the wings for 6 hours, then I cooked them on my smoker, using mesquite for 30 min at 350. after taking them off the smoker I put them back in to the remaining sauce, which I had heated up and added a little corn starch to. When they were again fully coated I placed on cookie sheet and put in oven at 350 for 10 min. They were awesome! best wings I have had! But if you want them to have any kind of zip I would at least double up on the cayenne pepper, these wings were delicious but there was no zip them,.

love2cook

05/13/2011 06:30:10 PM

Due to non-stop rain, I cooked the wings in the oven. I seasoned wings with garlic granules, sea salt & coarse ground black pepper; baked in oven till done. I combined sauce and wings in ziplock bag, mixed well and let sit for a bit. On a foil wrapped pan, I placed coated wings back in oven till sauce was bubbly. I fixed 3 different kinds of wings and this sauce was my favorite! Will certainly make again. Thanks for sharing!

tkwilson

03/07/2011 10:49:08 AM

This was very good. I deep fried my wings first for 12 minutes (no breading) and then tossed them with some of the sauce. Since it was very thin, I did the same as a previous review said and added a little cornstarch mixed with water to the remaining sauce to thicken just a little. I poured more of the thickened sauce over top of the wings and tossed again. I then baked the wings in a very hot oven (450 degrees) for about 7-8 minutes just to brown the sauce a little, which is what I do anytime I make chicken wings. They were very tasty. I did cut down a little on the cayenne and it was still plenty hot. Next time I might use a little more honey since I like sweeter sauce, but overall this was very good.

MJ

03/31/2012 05:58:06 PM

I am really satisfied with this recipe i love spicy food and this was so good i just added 1tb of minced garlic in the sauce i grilled them in the oven both sides and brushed the sauce each side every 2minutes for five times since i like some stickiness i wont buy store bought wings anymore!thank you

Melissa Jewell

07/23/2009 01:40:49 PM

Who knew that hot wings were so freaking easy to make. I did do a couple things differently but they turned out awesome and will be a regular for us now. As I was shopping for louisiana hotsauce I noticed that they actually sell a hot wing sauce kit which consist of the wing sauce and seasoning. I bought this and seasoned the wings and marinated them for 24 hours in only the seasonings. Then I mixed the louisiana wing sauce with everything from the original recipe. I really think the honey and the seasonings make this recipe. My grill went out so I deep fried the wings for 15 minutes per batch on 375. All I have to say is YUMMY!

cnichols41

10/05/2009 04:48:03 PM

I love these wings, the hotness and sweetness go together well for me, as I am a whimp when it comes to hot stuff. I did bake them though due to a lack of a grill. Also made the honey to hot sauce ratio a bit more even. I will always make these.

Jeremy Edsall

01/31/2020 06:27:00 PM

Air fried the wings the night before an office pot luck. Reheated in crock pot pour sauce over them and tossing about every 30 minutes on low heat. I liked the sauce not over powering but with a kick a heat. I’ll be making these again.

Elizabeth Green

02/08/2025 06:15:49 PM

So easy and came out beautifully.

CheekyWhey6803

02/23/2024 03:59:31 AM

i added jalapeños for EXTRA spice but even before adding them it was extremely gooddd

PurpleCarp6335

05/25/2023 03:23:22 PM

Fantastic dish, really recommend if you want something simple AND tasty. If you end up using the recipe I hope you enjoy!

HeartySlaw6353

03/05/2023 08:35:06 AM

It was ok but had to add sugar

KanKan

09/20/2020 10:00:12 PM

Waste of butter and honey, use less butter so the sauce will stick. We thought they tasted like restaurant quality but I was disappointed no honey taste. I did this recipe just as written with exception, I did broil like the other reviewers said so the sauce would try to stick. A lot of work!

Terry Paarlberg

06/07/2020 12:39:51 PM

Easy & delicious.

Reader54321

05/21/2020 12:56:19 PM

Loved it the heat was perfect. I made it accordingly to the recipe. Will definitely make again.

Marcia

05/07/2020 12:47:46 AM

Good recipe. I found it spicier than other reviewers, but given the amount of hot sauce, plus the cayenne pepper, it wasn’t unexpected, and certainly was well within my comfort range (didn’t leave me with burning lips or innards). My husband thought they were just about right regarding spiciness. As the author suggested, we marinated the wings in the sauce, grilled them, then poured more sauce over the top. I think they would have been better fried, but I like to try recipes as recommended by the author the first time. I didn’t rate it 5 because we didn’t like it quite as much as our favorites. But I would definitely make this sauce again if I was serving chicken wings with several sauces.

Karen Yerí Garcia

08/16/2018 11:04:36 PM

I loved it! By far my fave !! Thanks a lot !!

Sweet Spicy Wings Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

Recipe Tip

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Origin and History

Regional Features and Variations

What Sets Sweet Spicy Wings Apart?

Where Are Sweet Spicy Wings Usually Served?

Fun Facts About Sweet Spicy Wings

FAQ about Sweet Spicy Wings Recipe