Honey Buffalo Wing Sauce
Honey Buffalo Chicken Wing sauce is the perfect balance of sticky sweet, with just enough heat. Bake, fry, or grill your chicken wings and pour this honey goodness all over, you won’t be disappointed. This easy recipe is ready to serve in just 5 to 10 minutes!
When experimenting with this sauce I struggled to find the right balance between a spicy kick, and the sweet taste of honey. To my surprise, the secret was lime juice. Lime juice creates this beautiful balance by taking the edge away of the ever so sweet honey while taming the sizzling heat from the Franks Redhot. If you don’t have lime juice, lemon juice is a decent substitute, and if you have neither, I would recommend going easy on the honey. The full recipe is at the bottom of the page. For something more heat, check out our recipe for Siracha Honey Wings Spicy Honey Sriracha Chicken Wing Sauce
And, if you’re not in the cooking mood, you have to try some of Mikes Hot Honey sauce. I always keep some in the fridge for just about anything chicken or pork-related. And if you are looking for something with a little more heat, try Mike Hot Honey Extra Hot! .
Honey Buffalo Wing Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Franks Redhot Original Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 2 Tbsp Ketchup
- 1 tsp Worcestershire
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
- 2 Cloves Garlic
Instructions
- Mince garlic glove or use garlic press
- Place a medium pot on medium heat
- Once hot, add 1 Tbsp butter and stir till fully melted
- Add garlic and stir for about 1 minute
- Add Honey, Franks Redhot, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup and stir thoroughly
- Add remaining 1 Tbsp of butter, stir till melted
- Add fresh lime juice into sauce and give one final stir
- Pour on your wings after they are fully cooked
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 45kcal Serving: Sauce for 1 wing (about 1 tbsp)(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Support the New England Wingmen at no cost to you!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is honey buffalo wing sauce spicy?
Not very. This is a mild buffalo sauce: the sweet honey and the lime juice tame the heat of the Frank's RedHot, so it's a good pick for anyone who isn't a big spice fan. If you want more of a kick with the same sweet-heat idea, try our Spicy Honey Sriracha Chicken Wing Sauce.
Can I make it without fresh lime juice?
We really don't recommend leaving it out. The lime juice is the secret that balances the sweet honey and the heat, and without it the sauce comes out too sweet. Lemon juice is a decent substitute, and if you have neither, go easy on the honey.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes. We call for 2 fresh cloves cooked in butter for about a minute, but a couple of readers made it with garlic powder and still found it delicious. About 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder stands in for 2 cloves; just stir it in along with the honey, Frank's RedHot, Worcestershire and ketchup.
What kind of wings should I use this sauce on?
Any you like. Bake, fry or grill your chicken wings, then pour the sauce on once they're fully cooked (165°F / 74°C inside). One reader tossed air fryer wings in it. For an easy oven method, try our Crispy Baked Wings.
I also work at Amazon in Charlotte NC! Great sauce recipe. I love it. I actually used Franks Buffalo Sauce. Was awesome!
Absolutely delicious! Had to use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic and even still it was tasty. Can’t imagine how good it would be fresh!
Love that this uses a lot of pantry staples so it’s easy to whip up. Not too spicy, so it’s good if you have to feed a family with varying spice tolerances. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you!! Just made air fryer wings and the sauce was the cherry on top! Used garlic powder but everything was savory! Simple and delicious!
I made this recipe when visiting family in California. Later found out about Franks Rex hot sweet chili sauce and substituted it for the original. My recipe came out perfectly without the heat. The family ask that. I make it during each visit. Used party wings for convenience. After frying baste with the chili sauce and place in oven for 10 minutes. Delicious!
This was the first sauce I've ever made at home and it was really good!