Grilled Buffalo Wings Recipe

The Juiciest Grilled Buffalo Wings Recipe to Spice Up Your BBQ

Wing fanatics adore this spicy buffalo recipe that delivers mouthwatering heat and crispy perfection.

Blazing flavors burst from each carefully seasoned morsel of chicken.

Restaurant-quality results emerge right from your kitchen with minimal effort.

Tender meat gets coated in zesty sauce that tingles taste buds without overwhelming them.

Casual gatherings instantly become memorable when these wings hit the plate.

Weekend game days or casual hangouts demand this irresistible crowd-pleaser.

You’ll want napkins nearby because these wings pack serious deliciousness that demands full savoring.

Why Grilled Buffalo Wings Are Perfect For Game Day

Here are the Reasons to Love This Recipe:
  • Grill Master's Delight: Perfect for outdoor cooking enthusiasts who love mastering the art of grilling wings with crispy, charred edges and smoky flavor.
  • Quick Weekend Crowd-Pleaser: Minimal prep time and simple ingredients make these buffalo wings an ideal dish for game day, backyard parties, or casual family gatherings.
  • Customize Your Heat: Easy to adjust spice levels by tweaking hot sauce quantities, ensuring everyone from mild-loving kids to heat-seeking adults can enjoy the wings.
  • Foolproof Technique: The two-zone grilling method guarantees perfectly cooked wings – tender inside and crispy outside – even for novice grill cooks.

All You Need For Grilled Buffalo Wings

Poultry Base:
  • Chicken Wings: Classic buffalo wing cut, best when fresh and patted completely dry for crispy grilling.
Main Seasoning Blend:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers for the wings.
  • Vegetable Oil: Helps create even seasoning and prevents sticking to grill.
Buffalo Sauce Components:
  • Hot Sauce, Butter, Honey, Garlic Powder: Classic buffalo wing flavor combination, creating a tangy and slightly sweet coating for the wings.

Steps To Make Grilled Buffalo Wings Quick And Easy

Step 1: Prepare Tasty Chicken Wings

Grab your chicken wings and give them a quick pat down with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Drizzle with:
  • Vegetable oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Let the wings hang out and absorb the seasonings while you fire up the grill.

Step 2: Set Up Sizzling Grill Station

Crank your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking. If possible, create two temperature zones:
  • One side super hot
  • One side slightly cooler

This setup helps cook wings evenly and prevents burning.

Step 3: Start Slow Cooking Wings

Place wings on the cooler side of the grill. Close the lid and let them cook gently for 20-25 minutes. Flip the wings every 7-8 minutes to ensure even cooking. They should look golden and almost fully cooked.

Step 4: Crisp and Char Wing Perfection

Move wings to the hot side of the grill. Sear each side for 2-3 minutes to create those irresistible crispy edges and beautiful char marks.

Step 5: Whip Up Crazy Good Buffalo Sauce

While wings are grilling, mix together in a large bowl:
  • Classic hot sauce
  • Melted butter
  • Touch of honey
  • Garlic powder

Whisk until smooth and glossy.

Step 6: Coat Wings in Spicy Goodness

Immediately toss the hot wings in the buffalo sauce. Ensure each wing gets fully coated for maximum flavor explosion.

Serve hot and watch everyone dive in!

Tips For Crispy Grilled Buffalo Wings

  • Dry Perfectly: Pat wings thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring crispy skin and better seasoning absorption.
  • Indirect Heat Mastery: Use the two-zone grilling method to cook wings evenly without burning, allowing gradual cooking and maintaining juicy meat.
  • Crisp Control: Move wings to the hot side of the grill in the final minutes to create beautiful char marks and crunchy exterior without drying out the meat.
  • Sauce Coating Technique: Toss hot wings immediately in sauce while they're fresh off the grill to help the coating adhere better and lock in maximum flavor.
  • Low-Carb Adaptation: Skip honey in the sauce for a keto-friendly version, replacing it with a small amount of sugar-free sweetener or omitting entirely for a spicier wing experience.

How To Store Grilled Buffalo Wings The Smart Way

  • Refrigerate leftover wings in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
  • Keep crispy texture by storing wings without sauce and adding sauce just before reheating.
  • Warm refrigerated wings in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes to restore crispiness and prevent sogginess.
  • Freeze unsauced wings in a freezer-safe container for maximum 2 months; wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
  • Thaw frozen wings overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain best quality and food safety.
  • Always ensure wings reach an internal temperature of 165°F when reheating to eliminate potential bacteria.

What To Serve With Grilled Buffalo Wings

  • Pair with Cool Blue Cheese Dip: Creamy blue cheese dressing provides the perfect tangy counterpoint to the spicy buffalo wings, neutralizing the heat while adding rich, smooth flavor.
  • Match with Crisp Lager Beer: A cold, light lager cuts through the wing's heat and buttery sauce, refreshing your palate with its clean, crisp finish and subtle malt character.
  • Serve Alongside Crunchy Celery Sticks: Fresh, crisp celery adds a cool, hydrating element that balances the wings' intense heat and provides a nice textural contrast.
  • Complete with Zesty Citrus Mocktail: A bright, citrus-based non-alcoholic drink with hints of lime or orange helps cleanse the palate and offers a refreshing complement to the spicy wings.

New Takes On Grilled Buffalo Wings To Try

  • Spicy Korean Wings: Swap buffalo sauce with gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil for a Korean-inspired flavor profile.
  • Mediterranean Herb Wings: Marinate wings in olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, and garlic for a zesty Mediterranean-style grilling experience.
  • Smoky Chipotle Wings: Replace hot sauce with chipotle peppers in adobo, adding smoky heat and depth to the classic wing recipe.
  • Caribbean Jerk Wings: Create a marinade using jamaican jerk seasoning, lime juice, brown sugar, and allspice for a tropical grilling adventure.

Grilled Buffalo Wings FAQs In Simple Terms

  • Why should I pat the wings dry before grilling?

Patting wings dry helps achieve crispy skin by removing excess moisture. Wet wings will steam instead of getting that delicious crispy texture you want.

  • Can I use a different type of hot sauce?

Absolutely! While traditional buffalo sauce uses Frank’s RedHot, you can experiment with Sriracha, Tabasco, or any hot sauce that matches your heat preference. Each sauce will give a unique flavor profile to your wings.

  • How do I know when the wings are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This ensures the chicken is safe to eat and prevents undercooked meat.

  • What if I don't have a grill?

No worries! You can achieve similar results using an oven or air fryer. Just adjust cooking times and temperatures to ensure the wings get crispy and fully cooked.

Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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