It is officially football season!  There is no better football snack than Hot Wings.  I have been on a little hot wing kick lately.  I have been eating them at least once a week. Although your average hot wings are delicious, they are not the healthiest thing around.  So, I decided to put away the deep fryer and heat up the grill. Grilled wings are just as tasty and if you grill them over high heat, the skin will get nice and crispy.  By grilling the wings you get all of the flavor and texture, without all of the fat.

Grilled Hot Wings

In a medium saucepan, combine all of the hot wing sauce ingredients.  Heat over medium heat until the butter is melted and the ingredients are incorporated.  Whisk together and remove from the stove.  Set aside.

Preheat your grill to medium/high heat and make sure to set aside a portion for indirect cooking.

When you buy fresh wings, you usually get the whole wing.  This includes the drumette, wingette and the tip.

I use a sharp knife to cut each portion at the joint.  It is easy to do and will save you a bunch of money.  I usually throw away the tips as they do not contain that much meat.  Plus, they always fall through the grates.

Add all of the wing parts to a zip top bag and add 1/4 cup of rub.  Some wings are bigger than others and you may need up to 1/2 cup of rub to get everything coated.

Place the wings directly over the medium/high heat and grill until they are browned on all sides.  There is a lot of fat in chicken wings so make sure to constantly turn them or they will blacken easily.  A little char is good, but a lot of char is bad.

Once the wings are browned all of the way around, move them to the indirect part of the grill and continue to cook with the lid on for about 10 minutes.  Check the thickest wing to see if the juices run clear.  If not, add another 5 minutes. Make sure to cook the wings to 165 degrees, measured with a probe thermometer, to safely serve them.  I like to cook the wings to about 190 for a perfectly crunchy skin and a moist wing.

The best way to check the temperature is to use an instant read thermometer.  Our favorite thermometer is the Thermoworks Thermapen MK4.  If the MK4 is a little too pricey for you, they also offer a great, affordable instant read thermometer with the Thermapop that has a 3-4 second reading time!

Pour the wing sauce into a large bowl.  When the wings are fully cooked remove them from the grill and place them in the bowl with the wing sauce.

Mix the wings in the sauce and serve.

These wings are delicious and simple to make.  Plus, you do not have to own a deep fryer to make them.  Easier, healthier and in my opinion more delicious!

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Grilled Hot Wings

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

25 mins

 

The tastiest wings around! They have a nice smoky flavor with amazingly crisp skin.

Servings: 24

Author: Rex

Ingredients

Wings

• 24 wingettes or drumettes

Rub

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup smoked paprika
• 1 tbs dry mustard
• 1 tbs black pepper
• 1 tbs salt
• 1 tbs chili powder
• 1 tbs garlic powder
• 1 tbs onion powder
• 1 tsp cayenne

Hot Wing Sauce

• 1 stick of butter
• 1/2 cup cayenne pepper sauce Franks is the best
• 1 1/2 tbs vinegar
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine all of the hot wing sauce ingredients. Heat over medium heat until the butter is melted and the ingredients are incorporated. Whisk together and remove from the stove. Set aside.
2. Preheat your grill to medium/high heat and make sure to set aside a portion for indirect cooking.
3. When you buy fresh wings you usually get the whole wing. This includes the drumette, wingette and the tip.
4. I use a sharp knife to cut each portion at the joint. It is easy to do and will save you a bunch of money. I usually throw away the tips as they do not contain that much meat. Plus they always fall through the grates.
5. Add all of the wing parts to a zip top bag and add 1/4 cup of rub. Some wings are bigger than others and you may need up to 1/2 cup of rub to get everything coated.
6. Place the wings directly over the medium/high heat and grill until they are browned on all sides. There is a lot of fat in chicken wings so make sure to constantly turn them or they will blacken easily. A little char is good, but a lot of char is bad.
7. Once the wings are browned all of the way around, move them to the indirect part of the grill and continue to cook with the lid on for about 10 minutes. Check the thickest wing to see if the juices run clear. If not, add another 5 minutes. Make sure to cook the wings to 165 degrees to safely serve them. I like to cook the wings to about 190 for a perfectly crunchy skin and a moist wing.
8. The best way to check the temperature is to use an instant read thermometer. Our favorite thermometer is the Thermoworks Thermapen MK4. If the MK4 is a little too pricey for you, they also offer a great affordable instant read thermometer with the Thermapop that has a 3-4 second reading time!
9. Pour the wing sauce into a large bowl. When the wings are fully cooked remove them to the bowl with the wing sauce.
10. Mix the wings in the sauce and serve.

• If you are looking for more wing recipes check out favorite Big Game Wing recipes here.
• Don’t forget to check out or favorite Big Game Appetizers.  They are sure to make you the king of any party!