Tasty Tips & Tricks: How to Cook Wings & Sauces Beyond Buffalo

For many of us, wings are a favorite for events year-round from Memorial Day and Independence Day to summer barbecues and game day. Not to mention, at some of your favorite local restaurants, too. But making wings at home is actually an easy feat that brings this saucy snack to your kitchen (and grill).

In this blog, we’ll answer two common questions about prepping at home. First off, how to cook wings. And secondly, what flavors make the perfect wing sauces. Before we share some of our favorite methods for preparing chicken wings, let’s look at some fun facts about this family favorite protein!

Fun Facts About Wings

• Buffalo wings were indeed invented in Buffalo, New York, which is also how they got their name.
• There are a couple of legends about how this iconic snack came to be. It’s widely believed that the wings’ origin story involves the Anchor Bar, owned in the 1960s by Teressa Bellissimo and her husband, Frank. One version of the story is that Bellissimo’s son came into the bar late at night with a group of friends and that she, in an inspired moment, threw some wings in the deep fryer to provide them with a quick meal.
• Another version is that Frank Bellissimo wanted to provide a complimentary snack to the patrons one busy Friday night. Because it was Lent, Frank waited until midnight to deep fry some chicken wings to celebrate the crowd being able to eat meat again.
• July 29th is National Chicken Wing Day.
• Chicken’s wings are made up of three different parts: the drumette, wingette and tip.

Fun facts about the history of wings? Check! Now, let’s answer the question of “how to cook wings” for your family.

How to Cook Wings at Home

There are several ways to prepare wings — and they don’t have to be deep-fried! Here are some of the best options for cooking chicken wings at home.

Baked

Oven-baked wings can be just as juicy and satisfying as their fried counterparts (with a lot fewer calories, too!). The trick is to add a bit of baking powder to the coating mix. Through a chemical reaction, this common baking ingredient helps the chicken’s skin get brown and crispy.

Or for a boneless version, our recipe for Crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites is another tasty option and something your whole family will love (even the little ones - with some mild sauce).

Grilled

Looking for a touch of wood-kissed smoke with your chicken wings? Grilling is the way to go! This method only takes about 10 minutes over medium-high heat on a gas or charcoal grill and keeps the kitchen clean!

And for a simple sauce that perfectly pairs with the smoky taste from the grill, mix together these four ingredients and glaze during and after grilling.

1. Lemon juice
2. Worcestershire sauce
3. Melted butter
4. Cayenne pepper

Air-Fried

One of the most popular uses for these trendy gadgets is making chicken wings! People love the fact that the wings can crisp up and get that “deep-fried” texture without the use of oil.

To cook wings in your air fryer, simply set it to 400 degrees. Then, cook for 15 minutes on each side and toss in your favorite wing sauce.

Par-Baked (Then Fried)

Oven-baked wings can be just as juicy and satisfying as their fried counterparts (with a lot fewer calories, too!). The trick is to add a bit of baking powder to the coating mix. Through a chemical reaction, this common baking ingredient helps the chicken’s skin get brown and crispy.

Or for a boneless version, our recipe for Crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites is another tasty option and something your whole family will love (even the little ones - with some mild sauce).

Pro wing cooking tip: This is the method that many restaurants use.

Tasty Wing Sauces You Need to Try

Now that we’ve answered the question of “how to cook wings” at home and you’re ready to give one of those methods a try, you may also want to switch up your wing sauce. When it comes to sauces, buffalo isn’t the only flavor game in town. Other delicious alternatives include:

• Spicy Citrus Wings with two kinds of oranges and cayenne pepper.
• Tropical Island Chicken Wings with a vacation-inspired blend of pineapple and sweet chili sauce.
• Garlic Parmesan Wings for a bit of Italian flair.
• Soda Glazed Asian Chicken Wings with an umami-rich sauce.
• Sweet Tea Oven Fried Wings with a sweet and tangy glaze.
• Honey Hot Wings that are richly spiced and intensely flavorful.

No matter which sauce or style you choose, don’t forget the carrots and celery sticks plus blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping!

How About a Vegetarian Version?

For a change of pace, or for any family members or close friends who avoid meat, cauliflower makes a surprisingly convincing substitute for chicken. Simply cut a head of cauliflower into bite-sized florets, dip into a simple beer batter, bake for around 25 minutes at 450 degrees and then toss with buffalo sauce!

What goes into a beer batter? All that’s in it is a cup of flour, one cup of beer, a half teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of garlic powder.

No matter what kind of chicken wings you’re craving, we have you covered. Find quality and affordable Food Lion brand and all-natural and organic chicken wings from Nature’s Promise in our meat department. We also offer a wide array of sauces and spices for whichever flavor or recipe catches your eye. That means your neighborhood Food Lion is your local destination for everything you need to cook some delicious wings for your family, whether it’s game day, a holiday or a weeknight meal.