Name: Pizza Hut Buffalo Wing Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup Frank’s RedHot Original; ⅓ cup unsalted butter; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼–½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional); ½ teaspoon soy sauce; ½ teaspoon white vinegar

Jump to Recipe

I was cleaning my fridge and found a half-full bottle of hot sauce behind some leftover veggies.

That sauce had a bright, sharp Buffalo flavor that was quick and did not taste thick or heavy. I decided to try making it at home with the simple ingredients I already had.

My first test batch turned out cleaner and more balanced than the takeout version. I adjusted the method over time until the flavor matched what I remembered.

What Makes This Sauce Like Pizza Hut

This sauce is a homemade version of the Buffalo-style wing sauce from Pizza Hut, aiming to replicate their flavor.

Pizza Hut’s sauce has a tangy taste and a bright orange color, which comes from the mix of hot sauce and fat.

We use a cayenne-based hot sauce with the right acidity and mix it with butter to create a smooth coating. The result is fresher and softer, giving you a shiny look without the greasy aftertaste.

Why This Homemade Version Beats Store-Bought

The homemade version tastes fresher because you skip the additives and get a straight mix of butter and cayenne heat, with control over the strength that you cannot achieve with bottled sauces.

This homemade recipe follows the actual 3:1 ratio that gives Buffalo sauce its unique flavor, like three parts hot sauce to one part butter.

Credit goes to the original Pizza Hut formula for inspiring this version but making it yourself gives you more flavor with fewer ingredients.

Pizza Hut Buffalo Wing Sauce Ingredients

1. Frank’s RedHot Original (½ cup): This is the main ingredient for a sharp vinegar taste, clean cayenne heat, and a smooth texture that mixes easily with butter. You can also use homemade cayenne-style hot sauce, but it may lack depth; however, it can still be effective.

2. Unsalted butter (⅓ cup): This balances the heat and gives the sauce its creamy feel, helping it sticks to the wings. You can use plant-based butter instead, which will provide a similar texture but a slightly different flavor.

3. Garlic Powder (½ teaspoon): This adds a mild savory flavor without overpowering the hot sauce. Pizza Hut’s version uses this type of seasoning. Avoid fresh garlic, as it can be too strong and overpower the buffalo flavor.

4. Cayenne Pepper (¼-½ teaspoon, optional): This can increase the heat without changing the main flavor. You can use chili powder for a more earthy taste or hot paprika for a smoky flavor, though this changes the sauce from the Pizza Hut style.

5. Soy Sauce (½ teaspoon): This ingredient adds a rich flavor and depth, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce. Coconut aminos can be used for a sweeter, milder flavor, which changes the profile but still works.

6. White Vinegar (½ teaspoon): This sharpens the sauce and gives it a tang like commercial wing sauces. You can substitute with apple cider vinegar for a fruitier flavor, but it strays from the clean tang of Pizza Hut’s sauce.

Kitchen Tools & Gear You’ll Need

Small saucepan
Whisk
Measuring cup
Heatproof bowl
Rubber spatula (optional)

How to Make Pizza Hut Buffalo Wing Sauce at Home

Step 1: Melt the Butter

Put the butter in a small saucepan on low heat. Let it warm slowly until it is almost melted. Stir gently with a whisk to keep it smooth. Do not let it brown.

Step 2: Add the Hot Sauce

Pour the Frank’s RedHot into the saucepan with the melted butter. Add it while the butter is still warm, so they mix easily. Whisk immediately. The sauce will turn bright orange as the butter and hot sauce combine.

Step 3: Whisk Until Fully Blended

Continue whisking until the sauce is even and smooth. You should not see any butter streaks. A good Buffalo sauce should look glossy but not oily. Whisking helps blend the fat and liquid into a consistent texture.

Step 4: Bring to a Light Simmer

Warm the sauce until small bubbles form at the edges. Do not let it boil. A gentle simmer helps the ingredients blend, resulting in a sauce with a nice shine and thickness. Please turn off the heat as soon as it simmers.

Step 5: Let It Cool Slightly

Take the pan off the burner and let the sauce sit for a minute or two. It will thicken as it cools. Taste it to see if you want more heat, butter, or salt. Make small adjustments.

Step 6: Use While Warm

Use the Buffalo sauce while it is warm, so it coats evenly. Toss it with your wings and serve right away. If you are using it on something else, brush or drizzle it while the food is hot.

Pro Tips, Fixes & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid boiling for too long, as it can cause the sauce to separate.
Whisk constantly to mix everything well.
Adjust the heat after cooking. Add hot sauce for more heat and butter for less.
If the sauce separates, reheat it and whisk until smooth.
For extra tang, add 1-2 teaspoons of vinegar.
Use warm wings; otherwise, the sauce will slide off.
If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for an additional 10-20 seconds, but be careful not to overcook.
If the mixture is too thick, add 1-2 teaspoons of hot water to thin it out.

Storage, Freezing & Make-Ahead Guide

After the sauce cools, store it in an air-tight container or jar. It will firm up in the refrigerator because of the butter, which is normal. In the fridge, the sauce lasts up to 7 days.

When you want to use it, warm it gently on the stove over low heat or microwave it in short bursts. Whisk after reheating to bring back the smooth texture.

You can keep the sauce in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you want to use it again, thaw it in the refrigerator and warm it up slowly.

If the sauce looks grainy after thawing, use a whisk to stir it until it is smooth. If it smells sour, has mold, or separates even after heating, discard it.

Best Ways to Use & Serve This Buffalo Sauce

This sauce works well beyond wings and pairs nicely with simple foods that soak up the tangy heat.

Toss with grilled chicken thighs or drumsticks.
Drizzle over roasted cauliflower or broccoli dish.
Mix into macaroni and cheese for a spicy version.
Use as a dip for fries, tenders, or onion rings.
Spread on wraps or sandwiches with lettuce and ranch.
Brush onto shrimp before broiling.
Add to smashed potatoes before crisping in the oven.

For the best flavor, always heat the sauce before serving, and coat the food while it is hot.

Pizza Hut Wing Sauce Recipe FAQs

1. How can I make Buffalo sauce thicker without changing the flavor?

Butter thickens the sauce, so adding a bit more will help. You can also simmer the sauce briefly on low heat to avoid separation.

Avoid using flour or cornstarch, as they can make the sauce too thick and give it a gravy-like consistency. Allowing the sauce to cool before tossing can also increase its thickness.

2. Why did my Buffalo sauce separate?

Sauce separation can happen if the butter overheats or boils for too long. Cold wings may cool the sauce too quickly, causing it to separate.

To fix it, gently reheat the sauce while whisking and add a teaspoon of warm water or hot sauce to re-emulsify.

3. Can I use this Pizza Hut-style wing sauce with air fryer wings?

Air-fried wings work well with this sauce because their surface is dry. Toss hot wings in a light coat of sauce, shaking to spread it evenly. Do not drown them in sauce; a thin layer gives the best flavor.

4. Can I use this Buffalo sauce as a marinade before cooking?

You can use the sauce as a marinade, but it will not absorb well due to its high butter and vinegar content.

To improve flavor absorption, mix it with olive oil and lemon juice. Limit marination to under three hours to avoid mushiness.

It is better to cook the wings first and add the sauce afterward.

Yield: 12