Hooters wing sauce strikes the perfect balance of sweet and heat, keeping you coming back for more. This beloved restaurant sauce combines the caramel sweetness of brown sugar with the fiery kick of cayenne pepper and Tabasco, creating a flavor profile that’s both familiar and irresistible. The best part? You can recreate this iconic sauce in your kitchen with just eight simple ingredients.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The magic in Hooters’ wing sauce lies in its balanced flavor profile. Brown sugar provides that signature sweetness that mellows the heat from cayenne pepper and Tabasco sauce. Balsamic vinegar adds subtle acidity that brightens the overall taste, while paprika contributes color and a mild smoky undertone. The butter creates a rich, glossy coating that clings perfectly to wings. Now, you can purchase this sauce in some grocery stores premade, or you can make this copycat version.
Ingredients
- Butter – Creates the rich, glossy base that helps sauce adhere to wings
- Tabasco Sauce – Provides tangy heat and that classic hot sauce flavor
- Brown Sugar – Adds caramel sweetness to balance the spicy elements
- Paprika – Contributes vibrant color and subtle smoky notes
- Salt – Enhances all flavors and balances sweetness
- Balsamic Vinegar – Adds bright acidity to cut through richness
- Cayenne Pepper – Delivers the signature heat level
- Chili Sauce – Provides depth and tomato-based richness
Chili sauce can be found in the condiment section at your grocery store. It is usually near ketchup and mustard.
Instructions
- Use immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk thoroughly until brown sugar is completely dissolved and all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more brown sugar for sweetness or cayenne for heat.
How to Use Hooters Wing Sauce
This versatile sauce works perfectly with fried or baked chicken wings and tenders. For best results, toss hot wings in the sauce immediately after cooking to ensure maximum coating and flavor absorption.
Chef’s Notes
For the smoothest consistency, make sure your butter is at room temperature before mixing. If you prefer a spicier sauce, gradually increase the cayenne pepper by 1/4 teaspoon increments until you reach your desired heat level. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools, so keep this in mind when determining consistency.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the butter base may separate when thawed.
- Refrigerator Storage: Store in airtight containers for up to 1 week. The sauce may solidify due to the butter content.
- Reheating Method: Gently warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or let it come to room temperature naturally. Stir well before using.
More Chicken Wing Recipes
- Pluckers Wings
- Garlic Wing Sauce
- Lemon Pepper Wet Sauce Recipe
- Habanero Buffalo Wings
- Honey BBQ Boneless Wings Recipe
- Grilled Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Boneless Buffalo Wings
Great Game Day Recipes
- Bacon Wrapped Smokies
- Beefy Cheese Ball
- White Queso Dip
- Hot Cheetos Popcorn
- Pretzel Wrapped Sausage
- Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Be sure to check out more of my easy appetizer recipes and the best game day food to make for your next party or celebration.
Hooters Chicken Wing Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup Tabasco Sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 3/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons chili sauce
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together. This will store well in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Serve this with the Hooter’s Hot Wings.
I loved this.
While this recipe is a great tasting and different… definitely not the classic Hooter wing sauce? Maybe you were trying to copy a sweet sirachi sauce or something?
This is/was a sauce they would serve in a bottle on the table. It was not the buffalo sauce.
Use the butter and Frank’s hot sauce.. not absolutely perfect copy but damn good and easy.. a lot more realistic than the cluster fk used here for a so called copy.. and guys usually do pretty good.. what happened???
That’s what is was thinking Mike!
Franks and butter. That’s it.
But this is sauce for DIPPING the wings in, not Marinating them in ????
I think ???? lol
u all suk like dried mangos..get the jar and quit the moaning..idiots
Stephanie is so chilled. Great recipe….
Totally agree… one could come much closer to the actual recipe by copying the ingredients label off an actual jar of hooters hot sauce!! The OP’s recipe is not good!
Thank you for your comments.
I love this sauce. I make it alot. It’s addictive. I don’t care if it’s not exactly the same as Hooter’s, I think this is better. Thank You So Much FIR Your version. I love ir!!!
One stick butter softened, 8-10 tbsp hot sauce, 1-2tbsp flour, 1/4tsp garlic powder and 1/4tsp onion powder. Boom. Now I have it whenever I want it.
Definitely doesn’t taste like Hooters wing sauce, the balsamic vinegar was a miss, and I am pretty sure the brown sugar and chili sauce is too. I tried it, I am not sold, I will look else where to find the right mix.
Totally agree… one could come much closer to the actual recipe by copying the ingredients label off an actual jar of hooters hot sauce!! The OP’s recipe is not good!