Buffalo Wild Wings Honey Barbeque Wings Copycat Recipe

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Winner winner chicken dinner! I bet most of you must love chicken, so here I am with an amazing chicken wings recipe. Oh, wait! It’s not your usual chicken wings. It’s the ultimate copycat recipe of Buffalo Wild Wings’ honey BBQ wings!

Buffalo Wild Wings Copycat Honey BBQ Wings

Recently, I had a game night at my place, and I was craving chicken. The wings at Buffalo Wild Wings were pretty expensive, so I decided to make them at home. When I tasted them, I was so mesmerized that I literally forgot about all the other chicken wings known to ever exist on the planet. Yes, it’s that amazing.

These sticky wings are an absolute favorite. The chicken is breaded, baked, and coated in delectable BBQ sauce. My brother told me he liked it better than the original one, and I was completely flattered. At first, I was surprised because hello! My brother never praises me, so this one must really be out of the box.

The secret here is honey. It sticks to the wings and delivers that mouthwatering flavor. Moreover, the smoky finish from liquid smoke and the tanginess from vinegar are a match made in heaven.

Therefore, this recipe is perfect for summer cookouts, parties, or game days. So, friends, tell me, what more do you need in life? Let’s get started here. After all, this recipe is finger-licking good!

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Baking Sheet: A baking sheet with a wire rack or parchment paper is needed to bake the wings until they are crisp.
Mixing Bowl: I use this to toss the wings with oil and other seasonings.
Saucepan: Needed to simmer the sauce.
Whisk: I used a whisk to mix the sauce.
Tongs: This is super helpful when flipping the wings halfway or tossing them with the sauce.

Buffalo Wild Wings Honey BBQ Wings Ingredients

Buffalo Wild Wings Honey Barbeque Wings Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: These ingredients will help you serve 2 people. However, you can adjust the quantity of ingredients if you wish to make more.

1 Pound Chicken Wings (8-12, usually, depending On The Size): When you don’t have them handy, you can look for chicken thighs or breasts.
1 Cup Ketchup: In the absence of ketchup, I suggest using a combination of tomato paste, vinegar, and sugar.
⅓ Cup White Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or lemon juice can also be used.
¼ Cup Molasses: Brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey serve as the best alternatives.
¼ Cup Liquid Honey: I use agave nectar or corn syrup when I run out of honey.
1 Teaspoon Liquid Smoke: You can also use smoked salt, smoked paprika, or chipotle pepper in Adobo as substitutes.
½ Teaspoon Salt
½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder: Fresh garlic, minced garlic, garlic salt, or garlic flakes come to the rescue.
½ Teaspoon Onion Powder: Dried onions, fresh onions, or shallots are some direct substitutes for onion powder.
¼ Teaspoon Chili Powder: I recommend using smoked paprika or red chili flakes as an alternative.
¼ Teaspoon Paprika: Ancho chili powder, red chili powder, or smoked paprika are best when paprika is needed.
¼ Teaspoon Cayenne pepper: When you don’t have cayenne pepper in your pantry, I recommend using crushed red pepper flakes, chili powder, or hot sauce.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
10 Minutes	45 Minutes	55 Minutes

How To Make Buffalo Wild Wings Honey Barbeque Wings At Home

Step 1

Coat the chicken with oil, sprinkle it with salt and pepper, and place it on a baking sheet.

Step 2

Bake it at 400°F for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 3

Grab a saucepan and pour in ketchup.

Step 4

Add white vinegar.

Step 5

Add molasses and honey to the saucepan.

Step 6

Then, add garlic powder.

Step 7

Add onion powder.

Step 8

Add chili powder.

Step 9

Add cayenne pepper.

Step 10

Add paprika.

Step 11

Now add liquid smoke.

Step 12

Add salt.

Step 13

Now add pepper.

Step 14

Bring the sauce mixture to a boil. After that, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

Step 15

Now, place your baked chicken wings in a mixing bowl.

Step 16

Pour the hot sauce over the baked chicken wings and toss to coat.

Step 17

Your mouth-watering, crispy Buffalo Wild Wings honey BBQ wings are ready.

Buffalo Wild Wings Honey Barbeque Wings Recipe Video

Expert Tips That I Recommend

Before baking my chicken wings, I sprinkle them with salt and baking soda and let them rest in the refrigerator for a few hours. This step of adding baking soda pulls out the excess moisture from the chicken, making it crispier.
For extra crunch, I double-bake my chicken wings or air-fry them after they come out of the oven.
I also avoid mixing it in too early, as it can make the chicken wings soggy. Hence, I toss them with the sauce only before serving.
To let the flavors deepen properly, I simmer my BBQ sauce on low heat for 15-20 minutes. This helps thicken the sauce and create a sticky, glossy finish that holds onto the wings.
I add a bit of butter to the simmering sauce for a richer sauce. This not only provides a silky texture to the sauce but also makes it cling better to the wings.
After the sauce is prepared, I let it cool a bit before mixing it with the wings. This is because cool sauce adheres better than hot sauce.

FAQs About Buffalo Wild Wings Honey Barbeque Wings

Why are these chicken wings not crispy?

If the wings are too wet or you do not preheat the oven before placing them in it, they may not be crispy. To fix this, make sure that you pat the wings dry before putting them in the oven and preheat it to 400°F.

Why is the BBQ sauce slicing off the wings?

If the wings are too oily or the BBQ sauce is too thin, the sauce may slide off the wings. Hence, mix the wings with the sauce when they are slightly cool and simmer it properly for about 20 minutes to thicken it. You can also add a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.

How can you prevent your wings from drying out?

If you overcook the wings at a high oven temperature, they may dry out. To fix this, ensure that the wings are cooked at an initial temperature of 400°F and then crank up the heat towards the end to crisp them up without drying them.

Why are the wings sticking to the baking sheet?

If you do not line the baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it properly with oil, the wings might stick to the sheet. To fix this, make sure to line the baking sheet with parchment paper or place a wire rack over it. Also, grease the sheet with enough oil so that the wings do not stick.

Why are the wings not cooked evenly?

If you overcrowd the baking sheet or do not flip the chicken wings halfway during cooking, they may be undercooked. So make sure to arrange the chicken wings in a single layer on the baking sheet, leaving space between them so they are not overcrowded. Also, flip them halfway to ensure even cooking.

Why is the sauce tasting sweet?

The sauce may taste sweet if you add more honey or molasses to it. Add vinegar, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper to balance the sweetness.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

These Buffalo Wild Wings Honey Barbeque Wings are not exactly healthy. Although they are rich in protein, the BBQ sauce-coated chicken has molasses and spices, which contribute to their high calorie and sodium content. Therefore, it is recommended that you consume them in moderation.

Here is the entire nutritional breakdown of this recipe for your reference:

Calories	1318 kcal
Carbohydrates	202 g
Proteins	48 g
Fat	40 g
Saturated Fat	11 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	9 g
Monounsaturated Fat	16 mg
Trans Fat	0.5 g
Cholesterol	189 mg
Sodium	3576 mg
Potassium	2396 mg
Fibre	2 g
Sugar	184 g
Vitamin A	1992 IU
Vitamin C	14 mg
Calcium	261 mg
Iron	8 mg

This recipe is well-suited for people on a high-protein, gluten-free diet, as it includes chicken.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Keto-Friendly: To make these chicken wings keto-friendly, I swapped ketchup for a mixture of tomato paste, stevia, and molasses, and used monk fruit sweetener or erythritol in place of the honey.
Paleo: For a paleo version, I swapped out the tomato ketchup with a homemade ketchup made from tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, and honey. Then, I opted for apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar and pure maple syrup in place of molasses, hence maintaining the paleo guidelines.
Low-Sodium: I just had to swap out the ketchup for a low-sodium ketchup or homemade tomato ketchup. This way, I was able to control the sodium level while enjoying this delicious recipe.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

For The Chicken Wings

Refrigerator: Before refrigerating, I let the wings cool to room temperature. Then I place them in an airtight container, separating them with parchment paper in the middle. This step prevents them from sticking. Then I stack the container in the refrigerator to keep the chicken wings safe for 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, I prefer freezing the wings. First, I place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze them for 2 hours. After they become completely frozen, I transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container and remove as much air as possible. This way, the wings are preserved for up to 3 months without spoiling.

For The BBQ Sauce

Refrigerator: I first allow the BBQ sauce to cool to room temperature and then pour it into an airtight container or a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Then I place the container or jar in the refrigerator, where it stays good for 1-2 weeks.
Freezing: To freeze, I pour the cooled sauce into ice cube trays or freezer-safe bags or containers. Once they are frozen, I transfer the ice cubes to resealable bags for proper portioning. This preserves the sauce for three months.

Reheating

For The Wings

Oven: To reheat my chicken wings in the oven, I preheat to 190°C and bake them on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 15-20 minutes. I arrange them in a single layer to prevent overlapping. This way, the texture and crispiness of the chicken wings are maintained.
Air Fryer: I also like to reheat my chicken in an air fryer. All I do is preheat the air fryer to 190° C and place the wings in the basket. I also ensure that the basket is not overcrowded, place the chicken in a single layer, and then reheat it for about 7 minutes until it is crispy.
Microwave: Whenever I need a quick fix, I microwave my chicken wings. I place them on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a microwave-safe lid. Then, I heat the plate, and within 30 seconds, my crispy chicken wings are ready. However, I use this method only when I’m short on time because the chicken doesn’t stay crispy in the microwave.

For The BBQ Sauce

Note: Thaw the sauce overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Stovetop: I place a saucepan over low heat and add the sauce. I stir it frequently until it warms up, which usually takes 5-10 minutes. You can also add a splash of water to reach the desired consistency.
Microwave: I microwave this sauce on the defrost setting for about 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds.

What To Serve With This Recipe

To complement my delicious chicken wings, I serve them with Ranch Dressing, which provides a creamy contrast. I also like to pair them with Celery and Carrot Sticks, French Fries, Onion Rings, and Green Salad.

Moreover, creamy coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the wings, cutting through the richness of the sauce. Garlic Bread and Dinner Rolls also pair wonderfully well with these classic wings, soaking up all the leftover BBQ sauce.

Printable Version

More Buffalo Wild Wings Recipes You Can Try

Buffalo Wild Wings Ultimate Cheese Nachos — Buffalo Wild Wings Ultimate Nachos

Buffalo-Wild-Wings-Thai-Curry-Wings-Recipe — Buffalo Wild Wings Ultimate Nachos

Conclusion

Making these flavourful chicken wings was an outstanding experience for me. From baking the chicken until crisp to smothering them in the rich BBQ sauce, each step was so magical that it made me feel like a kitchen enthusiast. They turned out to be so good that I just can’t wait to make them again.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t you want to impress your family with delightful restaurant-style chicken wings? It’s so easy that you don’t even require fancy equipment. So, get started, and don’t forget to leave a comment below describing your experience. Awaiting your response!