✔ Updated · new copycat recipe with step photos
These copycat Wingstop Hot Honey Rub wings are crispy fried wings tossed in a sweet, smoky, spicy dry rub, then finished with a little drizzle of hot honey. They're sticky, crunchy and ready in 40 minutes.
How Do You Make Wingstop Hot Honey Rub Wings? (Quick Answer)
Pat 2 pounds of wings dry and fry at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes until crisp and 165°F inside. Toss the hot wings in a rub of brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic, onion powder and salt, then drizzle with warm honey mixed with a little hot sauce.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Toss the wings in the rub right out of the fryer. The heat helps it stick and melt a little.
Why You'll Love These Wings
- Sweet heat brown sugar and cayenne together.
- Extra crispy fried until deep golden.
- Dry rub crunch not soggy like sauced wings.
- Adjustable dial the cayenne up or down.
- Game day ready easy to double for a crowd.
What Are Wingstop Hot Honey Rub Wings?
Hot Honey Rub is one of the dry rub flavors at Wingstop: crispy wings coated in a sweet and spicy seasoning instead of a wet sauce.
This homemade version gets the same sticky, crunchy finish with a homemade rub and a light drizzle of hot honey.
Ingredient Notes
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Brown sugar: the sweet base of the rub.
- Chili powder and cayenne: the heat.
- Smoked paprika: gives the red color and a smoky note.
- Hot honey: honey warmed with a little hot sauce.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Dry the wings well. Wet skin splatters and won't crisp.
- Keep the oil hot. Fry in batches so it stays at 350°F.
- Light honey drizzle. Too much honey turns a dry rub into a sauce. A thin drizzle is plenty.
- Air fryer option. Cook at 400°F for 22 to 25 minutes, shaking halfway, then toss the same way.
- Make extra rub. It keeps for months in a jar and is great on fries.
- At our table. Lucy likes hers with just a pinch of cayenne, so I toss a mild batch first.
Wingstop Hot Honey Rub Wings
4
servings15
minutes25
minutes560
kcal40
minutesA copycat Wingstop Hot Honey Rub wings: chicken wings patted dry and fried until crisp, then tossed while hot in a sweet and spicy dry rub of brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne and garlic and finished with a light drizzle of hot honey. Serves 4.
Ingredients
2 pounds chicken wings, split into flats and drums
6 cups vegetable or peanut oil, for frying
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon hot sauce or red pepper flakes, for the honey
as needed ranch dressing, for serving
Directions
- Pat the wings very dry with paper towels on all sides. Dry skin is the key to a crisp fry.
- Heat the oil in a heavy pot to 350°F. Fry the wings in 2 or 3 batches for 10 to 12 minutes, turning, until deep golden, crisp and 165°F inside. Drain on a rack.
- While the wings fry, mix the brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl, breaking up any lumps. Warm the honey with the hot sauce for 15 seconds in the microwave.
- Put the hot wings in a large bowl, sprinkle with the rub and toss until coated. Drizzle with the hot honey, toss once more and serve with ranch.
Like this recipe?
Follow us @recipefairy on Pinterest
Storage
Keep leftover wings in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on a rack at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or in the air fryer for 5 minutes.
More Wingstop Copycats
Try my lemon pepper wings and Louisiana Rub wings, check the full Wingstop flavors guide, or see all my Wingstop recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wingstop Hot Honey Rub?
It is a sweet and spicy dry rub flavor. This copycat uses brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne and garlic with a little hot honey on top.
How spicy is Hot Honey Rub?
It is medium. The sugar and honey balance the cayenne. Use 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne for milder wings.
Can I bake the wings?
Yes. Toss them with 1 tablespoon baking powder and bake on a rack at 425°F for 45 to 50 minutes, flipping once, then toss in the rub.
What dip goes with these wings?
Ranch is the classic. Try my <a href="https://recipefairy.com/wingstop-ranch/">Wingstop ranch</a>.
What sides go with Wingstop wings?
Serve them with my <a href="https://recipefairy.com/wingstop-french-fries/">Wingstop fries</a> and celery and carrot sticks.
