Buffalo Wing Seasoning

Skip the store-bought mixes and make this Buffalo Wing Seasoning at home with spices you probably already have on hand.

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If you’ve ever spent any amount of time in the spice aisle of the grocery store, you know there is a seemingly unending array of spice blends. You can choose from a variety of blends, including Cajun, Chinese five-spice, garam masala, mojo, harissa, chili powder, and tandoori, among many others. There are even buffalo wing seasoning mixes available for purchase.

What many people don’t realize is that their pantries are already stocked with the seasonings needed to make nearly any spice mix at home. I learned long ago to stop buying Chinese five-spice powder after I threw out my third bottle, well past its expiration date. It seems I buy it to use once, forget about it, and years later, when I want to use it again, it’s long expired, and I have to get another one. Since I always have cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, fennel seeds, and star anise on hand, I now make it whenever I need it rather than wasting money on a bottle that will just gather dust.

If you look closely at any bottle or packet of buffalo wing spice mix at the grocery store, you will likely see ingredients such as cayenne pepper, garlic, paprika, salt, cheese cultures, dehydrated onion, and mustard seed. But look closer, and you may also see items such as dextrose, artificial colors, guar gum, distilled vinegar, fumaric acid, modified corn starch, silicon dioxide, natural flavors, citric acid, sodium diacetate, disodium inosinate, and corn maltodextrin. Those are only a few of the fillers in some of these products.

Now, compare those ingredients to the ones in our recipe below. The best part is that you can adjust the amounts to suit your preference. I prefer to use half the amount of salt and switch to smoked paprika (sweet or hot, depending on my preference at the time). You won’t find any artificial flavors, chemicals, fillers, or unknown ingredients.

How to use your buffalo wing seasoning

There are numerous ways to use this buffalo wing seasoning. Of course, the first option is to make chicken wings by grilling, air-frying, frying, or baking plain wings and sprinkling this seasoning mix on them right after cooking, while they are still hot. Another option is to mix some seasoning with a bit of olive oil and brush it on the wings before grilling, baking, or, my favorite way, air-frying.

This seasoning is not just for wings, as you can also use it on drumsticks, thighs, breasts, and even a whole roast chicken. Now, let’s think outside the box and sprinkle it on hot dogs, steaks, sausages, pork chops, shrimp, scallops, and fish. You can also make buffalo cauliflower with this spice blend. The sky’s the limit when you let your culinary creativity run wild.

How do I store leftovers?

Now that you realize how easy it is to make homemade seasoning mixes such as this one for buffalo wings, the question is what to do with the leftovers that you don’t use right away. My first choice is other spice jars or bottles that I wash out and let dry completely. They are the perfect way to store your spice blends. Write the name of the mix and the date on a label and attach it to the bottle.

If you don’t have empty spice jars on hand, you can use small glass or mason jars, metal tins, or non-BPA and phthalate-free plastic spice bottles (as a last choice). Glass is best because it doesn’t absorb flavors or odors. You want airtight containers, and always store your spices in cool, dry, dark places away from sunlight and heat. As tempting as it may be to keep your spices next to your oven or stove for easy access, that is the last place to put them, as heat and sunlight can degrade the quality, flavor, and color.

The spice mix will keep for about six months.

Serving suggestions

Okay, you’ve used your buffalo wing seasoning on your wings or other protein, but what should you serve with it? Let’s think about what you would get at a restaurant. Carrots, celery, and dips, of course! Try these recipes for Homemade Peppercorn Ranch Dressing, Blue Cheese Dressing, or Blue Cheese Dip. I often order tasty sides that I can make at home, like this creamy Greek Yogurt Coleslaw, Baked Beans, and Chili Cheese Fries. Need I say more? Enjoy!