You know how much I love Game Day food, right? Just hand me all the finger-licking goodness because honestly, I’m not even watching the game. Nope, my attention is on those ice-cold beers and those sticky, saucy honey buffalo wings. They’re about to get dunked and smothered in some homemade Ranch dressing – the kind that really takes them over the top.

And don’t forget the celery sticks, extra beers, and plenty of napkins. Trust me, you’re going to need them!

Quick note: If you’re in a rush, you can totally use store-bought Ranch, but I’m telling you, nothing beats the homemade version.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds of chicken wings or drumettes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 ½ tablespoons of baking powder
• ½ cup of tomato sauce
• ⅓ cup of hot sauce (Cholula works great)
• ¼ cup of honey
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon of onion powder
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder

For the Ranch dipping sauce:

• ½ cup of sour cream
• ¼ cup of buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
• ⅓ cup of chopped fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill
• ¼ teaspoon of onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Coat a wire rack with nonstick spray and place it on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Set it aside.
2. Pat the wings dry using paper towels. In a large bowl, mix the wings with 1 ½ teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, and the baking powder.
3. Place the wings on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping them halfway through using metal tongs.
4. While the wings are baking, make the sauce. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the tomato sauce, hot sauce, honey, butter, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer, stirring constantly until it thickens a bit – about 15-20 minutes.
5. Once the wings are done, toss them in half of the sauce mixture. Put them back on the baking sheet and bake for another 5-7 minutes until they’re glossy and lightly caramelized. Stir in the remaining sauce before serving.
6. Serve the wings hot with your homemade Ranch dipping sauce.

For the Ranch dipping sauce:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, chives, dill, onion powder, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

Serving Up the Perfect Game Day Spread

When the wings are done, it’s time to serve! Arrange the wings on a platter, and make sure to have a bowl of that homemade Ranch on the side for dipping. Don’t forget the celery sticks! They’re the perfect crunchy counterpart to the rich and spicy wings. Plus, they add a little something extra in terms of texture and flavor.

As for drinks, you can’t go wrong with a cold beer. Whether you’re into light beers or craft IPAs, they’re the perfect pairing for these spicy wings. If you prefer something non-alcoholic, iced tea or lemonade can also balance out the heat and keep you refreshed.

Extra Tips for Perfect Wings

• Dry the wings properly: You can’t skip this step. Pat them dry, especially if they’ve been sitting in the fridge for a while. This ensures they get extra crispy in the oven.
• Don’t skip the baking powder: The baking powder is what makes the skin crisp up so nicely. Just a little sprinkle makes a huge difference in the texture.
• Bake on a wire rack: As I mentioned earlier, this is essential for getting crispy wings. Don’t skip this step, and don’t try to bake them directly on a baking sheet. A wire rack elevates the wings, allowing them to cook evenly on all sides.
• Adjust the heat level: If you love extra spice, feel free to increase the amount of hot sauce in the buffalo sauce. You can also experiment with different types of hot sauce to change the flavor profile. Cholula or Frank’s RedHot are great choices for a balanced heat level, but you can go hotter if you like.
• Make the Ranch ahead of time: The Ranch dressing can be made a day ahead. It keeps well in the fridge for a few days, so you can make it in advance and have one less thing to do on Game Day.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe works because it hits all the right notes: crispy wings, sweet and spicy sauce, and that rich, creamy dip. The key to making this a standout Game Day dish is in the details—patting the wings dry, using baking powder for extra crispiness, and letting the sauce simmer to concentrate the flavors. The homemade Ranch dressing adds the perfect cooling contrast to the heat of the buffalo sauce, creating a flavor experience that’s hard to beat.

So whether you’re hosting a Game Day party, hanging out with friends, or just treating yourself to some awesome food, these honey buffalo wings with homemade Ranch dressing will be the highlight of the day. And with a little bit of prep work, you’ll be able to create a meal that’s not only delicious but totally worth the effort. Happy Game Day!

Enjoy your Game Day feast!