This delicious Hot Honey Buffalo Sauce is made with butter, Frank's hot sauce and honey and comes together in minutes. It's smooth, spicy and just perfect for wings, drizzling or tossing with just about anything.
And if you love delicious homemade sauces, try my Pineapple BBQ Sauce recipe next!
Homemade sauces are just the best, aren't they? They're so much more flavorful than shop-bought ones, and this hot honey buffalo sauce is no exception.
I love it because it's ready in a flash using just a saucepan. I obviously use it for wings, but I also drizzle it over roasted veggies or serve it with chicken or pork.
See the "Best ways to use hot honey buffalo sauce" section below for ideas of how to use it!
Why you'll love this hot honey buffalo sauce
- It's extra glossy and smooth with a balanced heat
- Comes together in under 10 minutes in one small saucepan
- Uses pantry staples and keeps well in the fridge
What you'll need
Frank's hot sauce - This is the perfect choice because it has the right vinegar bite and salt level for buffalo sauce.
Other cayenne hot sauces can work, but many are saltier or harsher, so the balance may be off.
Honey - This softens the heat and gives the sauce that smooth, slightly sticky finish. Runny honey is easiest to whisk in.
Apple cider vinegar - Just a small amount to sharpen the flavor.
Garlic powder - For that slightly garlicky touch. Powder is best here because you want to keep the sauce smooth.
Smoked paprika - Adds just a tad of smokiness without overpowering the sauce.
Pro tip
Whisk the sauce off the heat for a few seconds at the very end to help the butter fully emulsify.
How to make honey buffalo wing sauce
This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it's gently bubbling.
Whisk in the Franks hot sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder and smoked paprika until smooth and fully combined.
Lower the heat and simmer the sauce gently for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly before transferring to a jar.
Substitutions and variations
- To make the sauce hotter without ruining the texture, add a pinch of cayenne at the end.
- You can use maple syrup instead of honey; the color may be a bit different though.
- White wine vinegar works well instead of apple cider vinegar.
Helpful tips
- Keep the heat gentle once you add all ingredients. High heat can cause the honey to scorch and the sauce to separate.
- Whisk constantly while the sauce comes together. This helps the butter emulsify properly with the hot sauce and honey so it thickens evenly.
- Let the sauce cool for a few minutes before judging the texture. It thickens as it sits, so don't overcook it trying to make it look thicker in the pan.
Best ways to use hot honey buffalo sauce
This hot honey buffalo sauce is an easy win with just about any meat-based dinner. It's perfect for wings, obviously, but I use it just as often for quick air fryer meals.
Try it brushed over Air Fryer Steak Bites or spooned over Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops right before serving. It's also great with Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Thighs, either as a glaze at the end or served on the side for dipping.
It also works really well as an ingredient, not just a finishing sauce. I often use it straight in this Buffalo Chicken Casserole with Potatoes instead of shop-bought buffalo sauce.
It's a natural fit in my Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese or you can even stir it into this CrockPot Chicken Tortellini for an easy flavor boost.
Leftovers and storage
- Store leftover sauce in a sealed jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Give it a quick stir before using.
- If you want to reheat the sauce, do it gently in a small saucepan over low heat or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between each one.
- This sauce freezes well. Let it cool completely, then freeze in a small airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently, whisking to bring it back together.
If you've tried this hot honey buffalo sauce recipe, please rate it and leave a comment below! I'd love to hear how it turned out.
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Hot Honey Buffalo Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup Franks Hot Sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until gently bubbling.4 tablespoons butter
- Whisk in the Franks hot sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Keep stirring for 1-2 minutes until the sauce looks smooth and unified.½ cup Franks Hot Sauce⅓ cup honey1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar¼ teaspoon garlic powder¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Lower the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes more.
- Remove the buffalo sauce from heat and allow it to cool slightly before pouring into a jar. Don't worry if it looks a bit thin, as it will thicken as it sits.
Video
Notes
- Keep the heat gentle once you add all ingredients. High heat can cause the honey to scorch and the sauce to separate.
- Whisk constantly while the sauce comes together. This helps the butter emulsify properly with the hot sauce and honey so it thickens evenly.
- Let the sauce cool for a few minutes before judging the texture. It thickens as it sits, so don't overcook it trying to make it look thicker in the pan.
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