The Variation Between Spicy Wings and Buffalo-Style Wings: An Explanation
Got a hankering for chicken wings, but can't tell your buffalo from your hot? Fear not, my friend! Though they may look and taste similar, these two culinary treasures are definitely not the same.
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of it. Buffalo wings and hot wings, they may seem identical due to their red, spicy, saucy appearance. But dig deeper, and you'll find some fascinating distinctions.
The tale of buffalo wings' inception is as tangled as a plate of wings left unattended at a party. Their beginnings can be traced back to the 1960s, right in the heart of Buffalo, New York. The story goes that Teressa Bellissimo, a shrewd woman with a knack for good food, served these now-famous wings at her Anchor Bar, much to the delight of her patrons.
On the other hand, hot wings are more of a catch-all term for any spicy chicken wing. They don't have a specific city of birth, making them a free-spirited offshoot from the traditional buffalo variety.
As for their preparation, buffalo wings are deep-fried, unbreaded, sauce-coated wings that are typically accompanied by celery sticks and blue cheese dressing. On the other hand, hot wings can be prepared in a multitude of ways, using various hot sauces or seasonings. They can be baked or fried, depending on your preference, and can range in spiciness from mild to being on par with the hottest chili peppers on earth.
Where buffalo wings boast a medium to hot level of spiciness, hot wings can vary from mildly spicy to so fiery that you'll be reaching for a glass of milk. Hot wing sauces can contain a medley of peppers, ranging from the common cayenne to the more exotic habanero or ghost pepper.
So there you have it, folks! Whether you're a fan of the original buffalo wings or prefer to spice things up with hot wings, one thing's for sure - these saucy, spicy morsels are here to stay. Check out these recipes for some fun twists on the classic buffalo wing or, if you're feeling adventurous, try your hand at some fiery hot wing preparations. Enjoy the ride!
Recipes
Here's a roundup of some tantalizing takes on both buffalo and hot wings:
Buffalo Wing Recipes:
Easy Baked Buffalo Wings:
Craving buffalo wings but want something a little healthier? Give our easy baked buffalo wings a try! For a no-less-delicious result, we broil the wings instead of deep-frying them. Get the recipe here.
Grilled Buffalo Wings:
Looking to grill up some buffalo wings instead? Our simple recipe involves marinating the chicken in buttermilk, ensuring tenderness on the grill. Simply use your favorite hot sauce and offer extra buffalo sauce for dipping. Get the recipe here.
Vegan Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Wings:
Veggies, don't fret! You can still indulge in the buffalo sauce craze with our vegan baked buffalo cauliflower wings. They're super crunchy, thanks to a corn flake cereal coating, and we even whipped up a vegan blue cheese sauce for dipping. Get the recipe here.
Hot Wing Recipes:
Moving on to the heat, here are some of our spiciest hot wing recommendations:
Slow Cooker Hot Wings:
These hot wings are an excellent make-ahead option for a group gathering. Leave them in the slow cooker for four hours, and they'll be tender and juicy. Finish them off in the oven to crisp them up before serving. Get the recipe here.
Epic Dry-Rubbed Baked Chicken Wings:
Looking for a punch of flavor? Our epic dry-rubbed baked chicken wings deliver, with a mouthwatering blend of chili powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, oregano, brown sugar, mustard powder, and a few other secret ingredients. Reduce the cayenne if you prefer a milder heat. Get the recipe here.
Chicken Wings with Explosive Chile:
If you're in search of some truly scorching hot wings, look no further than this recipe. Courtesy of San Francisco legend, Danny Bowien of Mission Chinese Food, these wings are spicy beyond belief, thanks to red pepper flakes, Sichuan peppercorns, dried chiles, and fresh ginger. The trick to insanely crispy wings? Pre-poaching them in oil, followed by freezing and deep-frying. Get the recipe here.
Smoky Rubbed BBQ Chicken Wings:
Think you can handle some heat? Give these smoky rubbed BBQ chicken wings a try. With a flavorful mix of red pepper flakes, honey, molasses, bourbon, and a sticky barbecue sauce, these wings are perfect for barbecue aficionados looking for a spicy twist. Get the recipe here.
Korean Chicken Wings:
For a unique take on spicy wings, try our Korean chicken wings. They make use of some secret ingredients, like potato starch and Wondra flour, to ensure a perfectly crispy coating. Use any gochujang-based sauce for an explosion of flavor and heat. Get the recipe here.
- Traditionally, buffalo wings are deep-fried, unbreaded, sauce-coated wings that originated from Buffalo, New York, in the 1960s. They are often served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.
- On the contrary, hot wings are a more general term for any spicy chicken wing, not tied to a specific city or place. They can be prepared in various ways, using different hot sauces or seasonings.
- Interestingly, buffalo wings have a medium to hot level of spiciness, while hot wings can range from mildly spicy to incredibly spicy, even reaching the heat of the hottest chili peppers on earth.
- To explore more about these spicy morsels, check out our recipes for some creative twists on traditional buffalo wings or fiery hot wing preparations. Whether you prefer the original buffalo flavor or a spicy kick with hot wings, there's a recipe here for everyone to enjoy.
