Grilled Cayenne Garlic Wings with Homemade Cayenne Garlic Hot Sauce

These Grilled Buffalo Wings are smoky, crispy, and tossed in an easy homemade cayenne garlic buffalo sauce made with homemade cayenne garlic hot sauce, butter, and worcestershire sauce. Grilling the wings adds a lightly charred flavor while keeping the inside juicy and tender.

If you already have a batch of homemade hot sauce in the fridge, this is an easy way to turn it into a buttery, tangy Buffalo sauce that's perfect for wings.

Crispy wings without deep frying
Smoky flavor from the grill
Easy homemade Buffalo sauce
Great way to use homemade cayenne garlic hot sauce
Easy to adjust the heat level
Perfect with homemade ranch or blue cheese dressing

Ingredients

For the Grilled Wings

2 lbs chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
1–1 ½ tbsp Saalf Life Blend or salt and pepper

For the Homemade Buffalo Sauce

½ cup homemade cayenne garlic hot sauce
4 tbsp unsalted butter
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp honey, optional

Instructions

Season the Wings

Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels. Season the wings evenly on all sides with the Saalf Life Blend.

For even more flavor and crispier skin, season the wings and refrigerate them uncovered for 1–4 hours before grilling.

Preheat the Grill

Preheat the grill to approximately 400°F.

I like to grill wings directly over the heat on my kamado grill. If you're using a gas grill or cooking with the wings close to the coals, indirect heat may be a better option to prevent the skin from burning before the wings are fully cooked.

Grill the Wings

Place the wings on the grill and cook for approximately 20–25 minutes, turning every 5 minutes or so to help them cook and brown evenly.

Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F, but I prefer cooking wings to around 185-195°F internal temperature. The additional cooking time helps render more of the fat and gives the wings a tender texture with crispier skin.

If cooking primarily over indirect heat, move the wings over direct heat for the final few minutes to crisp and lightly char the skin.

Make the Homemade Buffalo Sauce

While the wings are cooking, add the homemade cayenne garlic hot sauce, butter and Worcestershire sauce to a small saucepan.

Heat over low heat, whisking occasionally, until the butter is completely melted and incorporated into the hot sauce.

Avoid bringing the Buffalo sauce to a hard boil.

Taste the sauce. If you'd like to slightly mellow the heat and acidity, whisk in 1 teaspoon of honey. The honey is completely optional and shouldn't make the sauce noticeably sweet.

Toss the Wings

Transfer the grilled wings to a large bowl.

Pour the Buffalo sauce over the hot wings and toss until evenly coated. You don't necessarily need to use all of the sauce—add as much or as little as you like.

Serve immediately with celery, carrots, and homemade ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Tips and Information

Get the Wings as Dry as Possible

One of the easiest ways to get crispier grilled wings is to start with dry chicken. Pat the wings thoroughly with paper towels before seasoning them.

For even better results, place the seasoned wings uncovered in the refrigerator for a few hours. The dry refrigerator air helps remove moisture from the skin.

Don't Overheat the Buffalo Sauce

Buffalo sauce doesn't need to boil. Gently warming the hot sauce and butter together over low heat makes it easier to create a smooth, buttery sauce.

Adjust the Sauce to Your Taste

Homemade hot sauces can vary quite a bit in heat and acidity. Start with the basic combination of ½ cup hot sauce, 4 tablespoons butter, and ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, then taste it.

For a milder and richer Buffalo sauce, add a little more butter. For a hotter sauce, add more hot sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Buffalo sauce without homemade hot sauce?

Absolutely. A vinegar-based cayenne pepper hot sauce makes an excellent base for homemade Buffalo sauce. Adding butter mellows the acidity and heat while creating the rich flavor and texture associated with classic Buffalo wings.

How do I make grilled chicken wings crispy?

Pat the wings completely dry before seasoning and grill them around 400°F, turning regularly. Allowing the wings to sit uncovered in the refrigerator for a few hours before grilling can help dry the skin even further.

Can I grill and air fry the wings?

Yes! This is a great method if you want smoky grilled flavor with extra-crispy skin.

Grill the wings until they're nearly finished, then transfer them to an air fryer preheated to 400°F for about 2–4 minutes. Once the skin is crispy, immediately toss the wings with the Buffalo sauce.

What temperature should chicken wings be cooked to?

Chicken is considered safely cooked at an internal temperature of 165°F. However, wings benefit from cooking beyond that temperature. I prefer grilled wings around 185–195°F, where more of the fat and connective tissue has rendered and the meat becomes especially tender.

What should I serve with Buffalo wings?

Serve these wings with celery and carrot sticks and your favorite creamy dipping sauce. Homemade buttermilk ranch and homemade blue cheese dressing are both excellent choices.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover Buffalo wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

For the best texture, reheat the wings in an air fryer at 375°F for approximately 4–6 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.

Grilled Buffalo Wings

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 30–35 minutes
Servings: 4

These easy Grilled Buffalo Wings combine crispy, smoky grilled chicken wings with a buttery homemade cayenne garlic Buffalo sauce made from cayenne garlic hot sauce. They're perfect for game day, cookouts, or an easy weeknight dinner.

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