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Touchdown Spicy Wings

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By Vivian Clarke • February 1st, 2026
Golden brown Touchdown Spicy Wings with Ranch arranged on a platter, drizzled with spicy sauce and garnished with fresh herbs. Save to Pinterest
Golden brown Touchdown Spicy Wings with Ranch arranged on a platter, drizzled with spicy sauce and garnished with fresh herbs. | seasonedstates.com

These touchdown spicy wings deliver a perfect balance of heat and crispiness. The wings are coated in a blend of spices and baked until golden, then tossed in a lively hot sauce made with butter, honey, and cayenne pepper. Served with a creamy ranch dip bursting with fresh herbs and tangy flavors, this dish pairs wonderfully with crisp celery and carrot sticks for a refreshing contrast.

Ideal for game days or casual gatherings, the wings offer a juicy bite with a smoky paprika undertone, while the ranch dip calms the palate. Baking the wings on a wire rack ensures they stay crispy without frying, and optional tips include air-drying the wings for extra crunch and adjusting the heat level by altering the cayenne or hot sauce quantity.

My brother called me at midnight last Super Bowl Sunday, panicked because hed promised wings for twenty people and had no clue where to start. We spent an hour on the phone while I walked him through this exact recipe, and somehow they turned out perfect. Now he texts me every game day asking for the instructions again.

I first started making these wings when my apartment had that tiny oven that burned everything on one side and left the other raw. Learning to flip them halfway through and trust the wire rack method changed everything. Now even my friend who swears shes the worst cook makes these successfully.

Ingredients

  • Chicken wings: Splitting at the joints and removing tips helps them cook evenly and makes eating so much easier
  • Baking powder: This is the secret weapon for crispy skin without the mess of deep frying
  • Hot sauce: Franks RedHot is traditional but whatever you have in the pantry will work beautifully
  • Honey: The sweetness cuts through the heat and helps the sauce cling to every wing
  • Buttermilk: Even a splash makes the ranch taste like it came from a restaurant kitchen

Instructions

Get your oven ready:
Preheat to 220°C and set up a wire rack on your parchment-lined baking sheet for maximum airflow
Season the wings:
Pat them completely dry then toss with baking powder and spices until every piece is coated
Bake to perfection:
Arrange in a single layer and cook for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway until theyre golden and sound hollow when tapped
Make the sauce:
Whisk melted butter, hot sauce, honey and cayenne over low heat until smooth and glossy
Whisk up the ranch:
Combine all the dip ingredients until creamy then refrigerate to let flavors meld
Toss and serve:
Coat hot wings in sauce immediately and serve with ranch, celery and carrots while everyones gathered around
Crispy baked Touchdown Spicy Wings with Ranch served alongside a creamy white dip, crisp celery and carrot sticks for dipping. Save to Pinterest
Crispy baked Touchdown Spicy Wings with Ranch served alongside a creamy white dip, crisp celery and carrot sticks for dipping. | seasonedstates.com

Last New Years Eve we made three batches of these wings and they disappeared faster than we could pull them from the oven. Theres something about people gathering around a platter of sticky, spicy wings that turns strangers into friends.

Getting Extra Crispy

If you have time to plan ahead, spread the wings on a baking sheet and leave them uncovered in the fridge for a couple hours. The air circulation dries the skin even more, and honestly, the texture difference is remarkable.

Adjusting the Heat

The first time I made these for my family, my dad grabbed the milk carton after one bite and declared them inedible. Now I taste the sauce before tossing and usually dial back the cayenne. You can always serve extra hot sauce on the side for the heat lovers.

Making Ahead

The ranch dip actually tastes better if you make it the night before and let those herbs and spices really get to know each other. You can also cut all your vegetables and store them in cold water to keep them crisp.

  • Double the sauce recipe if youre feeding a crowd
  • Keep wings warm in a 200°F oven if not serving immediately
  • The ranch stays good in the fridge for up to a week
Freshly tossed Touchdown Spicy Wings with Ranch glistening in a spicy orange glaze, ready for a game-day appetizer spread. Save to Pinterest
Freshly tossed Touchdown Spicy Wings with Ranch glistening in a spicy orange glaze, ready for a game-day appetizer spread. | seasonedstates.com

Whether its game day or just Tuesday, these wings have a way of making ordinary moments feel like a celebration. Enjoy every messy, delicious bite.

Recipe Questions & Answers

Pat the wings dry and toss with baking powder before baking. Air-drying uncovered in the fridge for 2 hours also helps achieve a crispier texture.

Yes, increase or decrease cayenne pepper and hot sauce amounts based on your preferred spice level.

Serve hot wings tossed in spicy sauce with creamy ranch dip alongside celery and carrot sticks for a fresh crunch.

They can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free hot sauce and baking powder products.

Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, fresh herbs, and spices until creamy. Chill before serving.

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Golden brown Touchdown Spicy Wings with Ranch arranged on a platter, drizzled with spicy sauce and garnished with fresh herbs.
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Touchdown Spicy Wings

Fiery chicken wings coated in spicy sauce served alongside a creamy ranch dip and crunchy veggies.

Prep 15m
Cook 40m
Total 55m
Servings 4
Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

For the Spicy Wings

  • 2.2 lbs chicken wings, split at joints, tips removed
  • 1 tbsp baking powder, aluminum-free
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

For the Spicy Sauce

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup hot sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

For the Ranch Dip

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp buttermilk or milk
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

To Serve

  • Celery sticks
  • Carrot sticks

Instructions

1
Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set a wire rack on top.
2
Season the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss wings with baking powder, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
3
Bake the Wings: Arrange wings on the rack in a single layer. Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
4
Prepare the Spicy Sauce: While wings bake, prepare the spicy sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine melted butter, hot sauce, honey, and cayenne. Whisk until smooth. Set aside.
5
Make the Ranch Dip: Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, chives, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in a bowl until creamy. Chill until ready to serve.
6
Coat the Wings: When the wings are done, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the spicy sauce over and toss to coat evenly.
7
Serve: Serve hot wings with the ranch dip, celery, and carrot sticks.
Additional Information

Equipment Needed

  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Mixing bowls
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Tongs

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories 480
Protein 30g
Carbs 10g
Fat 35g

Allergy Information

  • Contains dairy (butter, sour cream, buttermilk)
  • Contains eggs (mayonnaise)
  • Possible allergens in hot sauce (check labels)
  • Gluten may be present in some baking powders or hot sauces; use certified gluten-free products as needed
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Vivian Clarke

Sharing easy, wholesome recipes and real-life cooking tips for fellow food lovers.