They say some like it hot. But these days it turns out it’s way more than “some.” In fact, a recent survey indicates more than 80% of consumers ages 18 and up are enjoying their foods hot and spicy, to the tune of chowing down on Scoville-scoring sustenance at least once a week or more. This preference extends beyond restaurant offerings, too, as the survey also points out that six out of 10 people are choosing to make their meals hot and spicy at home.

One of the first foods that probably pops into mind when you think “spicy” are chicken wings. You already know you can order varieties like spicy garlic chicken wings in varying heat levels at sports restaurants, but Buffalo Wings & Rings’ menu is versatile, allowing for all levels of spiciness on our most popular wing flavors. Or, you can make them hot at home too.

If you count yourself among the spice-makers and burned-tongue risk-takers, we’re here to help you in your heat quest. Buffalo Wings & Rings’ Chef Dan explains his favorite ways to spice up chicken wings — whether eating out or at home.

Spicy Wings at Buffalo Wings & Rings

People aren’t just braving more spice, they are also becoming a bit more nuanced about the kinds of spices they enjoy. To that end, the trend has moved past traditional heat levels like mild, medium, and hot to include different pepper types, flavors, and heat borrowed from various ethic cuisines like Thai and Korean.

At Buffalo Wings & Rings, not only do we offer flavors like spicy garlic chicken wings, but also classics like Bourbon BBQ, Lemon Pepper, Buffalo, and Roasted Garlic, all customizable to your heat preference (choose mild, medium, hot, xtra hot, or atomic). Or, try our new Chef’d Up Flavors (courtesy of Chef Dan) that range from Teriyaki (mild) to Sweet Thai Chili (medium) to Ghost Pepper Ranch (atomic), and everything in between.

If you’re looking to go right for the hottest wings we offer, Chef Dan suggests ordering the Ghost Pepper Ranch, Buffalo Atomic, or Buffalo Xtra Hot.

What Home Seasoning Can Be Used to Spice Up Wings?

If you’re feeling adventurous in the kitchen, there are many ways to add spice to your home-cooked chicken wings. For starters, you can use Buffalo Wings & Rings sauces as-is or as a base in which to add more of your favorite hot sauces or spices, or you can start from scratch making your own spicy seasoning for chicken.

To make a basic wing sauce, start by combining equal parts of your favorite bottled Buffalo hot sauce with melted butter, plus ½ tsp each of garlic powder and worcestershire sauce and adjusting from there. If it needs more heat, Chef Dan suggests avoiding the instinct to dump in more hot sauce and instead “Add in cayenne, red pepper flakes, or a fermented hot sauce like Chinese garlic chile sauce or sambal oelek chili paste.”

You can also make your own spicy bbq chicken wings recipe. Just spice up your favorite brand of bottled barbecue sauce with red pepper flakes, smoked or hot paprika, chili powder, or ground cayenne. Start by adding a ½ teaspoon at a time and tasting in between additions until you’ve reached your perfect spice level.

For a bit of tang plus a heat that’s reminiscent of Asian flavors, consider dry or Chinese mustard and wasabi. “Dry mustard always adds a great level of heat when mixed with other spices,” Chef Dan says. “Wasabi powder or dipping sauce can add a really intense heat and it pairs well with Chinese hot mustard!”

(Not sure how to cook chicken wings at home? We suggest trying an air fryer or an Instant Pot.)

What to Serve with Spicy Chicken Wings

Now that you have your spicy wings locked and loaded, you might be wondering what to eat with them. If you’re eating at or getting carry out from a Buffalo Wings & Rings, then our recommendations are easy, as everything we serve goes great with wings! Fan favorites include:

• Ranchero Tots
• Mozzarella Sticks
• Caesar Salad
• Classic Cobb
• Ghost Pepper Ranch Burger
• Bacon Cheeseburger
• Korean Chicken Sandwich
• Double BBQ Pork Sandwich

At home, one great option for serving your spicy bbq chicken wings recipe, spicy garlic chicken wings, or another spicy chicken wings recipe is to serve them alongside other foods in a DIY charcuterie board. Also consider adding them to a spread with other favorite appetizers or as a main dish with a side of tossed salad and homemade macaroni and cheese.

Load up on your favorite spicy chicken wings today by stopping in to your favorite Buffalo Wings & Rings location, ordering carry ou, or trying your hand at making your own wings at home!