By Dara Mayhoe
The first time I made these, it was out of sheer exploration. I wanted to impress my husband with the best Super Bowl bites he’s ever had!
I wanted that classic “buffalo wing zing”, but I didn’t want to feel like I was melting my taste buds off. That’s when I realized the magic of the honey-hot balance. As the wings bake the honey caramelizes, creating a sticky lacquer that clings to every nook and cranny of the crispy skin.
It’s the kind of recipe that starts a fight over the last wing in the pan. You make these when you want a meal that feels like a celebration—messy fingers, cold drinks, and a flavor profile that refuses to be ignored.
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Honey Hot Wings (Butter-Based Sauce)Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot or similar)
- 2–3 tbsp honey (adjust for sweetness)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp pink salt (or to taste)
Instructions:- Cook the wings
- Bake at 400°F for ~40–45 minutes (flip halfway)
- You want them golden and slightly crunchy so the sauce sticks.
- Broil on high until brown
- Make the sauce
- Melt butter in a pan over low heat.
- Add hot sauce, honey, garlic powder, and salt.
- Stir until smooth and slightly thickened (2–3 minutes). Don’t boil hard—keep it gentle so the butter doesn’t separate, it’ll be too oily!
- Toss & coat
- Add cooked wings to a bowl, pour sauce over, and toss until evenly coated.
- Finish
- Put them back in the oven for 5–8 minutes to “set” the sauce for extra stickiness.
Quick tips:- Too spicy? Add more honey or a tiny bit more butter.
- Too sweet? Add a splash more hot sauce.
ENJOY!
Dara Mayhoe is a food writer and home cook dedicated to making healthier versions of traditional soul food favorites, easy weeknight plates and comforting Sunday dinners. Her ambition is to spawn closer relationships through food and fellowship amongst people all over the world. Visit luvcovers.org to learn more about Dara outside of the kitchen.
