Name: Wingstop Hot Honey Rub Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ pack Chipotle Pepper Seasoning; 1 tablespoon Sweet and Smoky Rub; 1 tablespoon Kiinders Hickory Brown Sugar; 1 tablespoon Roasted Garlic Powder; 1 tablespoon Raw Sugar; 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar; 2 tablespoons Honey

Jump to Recipe

If you enjoy a sweet-and-spicy flavor on wings, try the Wingstop Hot Honey Rub Recipe at home. Wingstop is popular for good reasons. Their Hot Honey Rub is a fan favorite. It offers a perfect mix of comfort and excitement. It’s sweet but not overly sugary and spicy without being too hot, which keeps people coming back for more.

Making the rub at home is enjoyable because I can recreate these flavors. The first taste is gently sweet, and then a warm heat builds up. As it sits on the wings, the flavors blend perfectly. The sweetness softens the spice, the warmth grows gradually, and each bite is satisfying.

This rub works well on various foods. It makes chicken tenders taste better, turns fries into something you’ll want to keep to yourself, and adds great flavor to grilled meats.

What Makes This Hot Honey Rub Unique?

Wingstop Hot Honey Rub is a dry spice blend that gives wings a sweet, mildly spicy flavor. It has a gentle sweetness from honey and sugars, along with warmth from chipotle and smoked spices. The flavor balances well and sticks to chicken or other proteins.

This rub shows Wingstop’s love for unique flavors, offering a sweet-and-spicy choice instead of traditional sauces. Unlike Hot Honey Sauce, which is wet and sticky, the Hot Honey Rub is dry and easy to use. It provides a strong flavor that stays on while cooking.

Flavor Profile and Heat Level

The Wingstop Hot Honey Rub Recipe has a mild-to-medium heat level. It won’t make you cry or leave you reaching for a glass of water. Instead, the spice builds up slowly. You taste the sweetness first, followed by a gentle warmth in your mouth.

The chipotle pepper adds a smoky heat, while the honey and brown sugar keep it mild. My kids can eat it easily, and adults who enjoy spice find it satisfying too. You can adjust the heat by changing the amount of chipotle you use.

Nutrition Facts and Health Considerations

Remember, rub is a treat, not a healthy food. Each serving has about 30-40 calories, mostly from sugars. Honey and brown sugar can add up quickly. One tablespoon of the mix has about 7-9 grams of sugar.

If you’re following keto or paleo diets, this rub isn’t the best fit. Keto needs low carbs, and this mix has quite a bit of sugar. Paleo followers avoid processed sugars, so using raw honey would be a better option, but it will change the texture.

The good news is that this rub can be gluten-free if your seasonings don’t have hidden gluten. Always check the labels. Many store-bought spice blends include wheat-based fillers. When you make it yourself, you know exactly what is in it. That’s one reason I love homemade versions.

Ingredients Needed for Homemade Hot Honey Rub

½ pack of chipotle pepper seasoning: This adds a smoky and spicy flavor to your rub. It’s not too hot but gives a warm kick that increases as you eat. You can also use smoked paprika with a bit of cayenne for a similar taste.

1 tablespoon Sweet and Smoky rub: This seasoning adds depth and a touch of barbecue flavor. It makes the other spices feel complete. A mix of paprika and a tiny bit of cumin also works well.

1 tablespoon Kinder’s Hickory Brown Sugar: This sugar adds a sweet, smoky flavor that’s hard to replicate. It’s my secret for that restaurant-style taste. You can mix regular brown sugar with a drop of liquid smoke to achieve a similar result.

1 tablespoon Roasted garlic powder: Garlic improves everything. Roasted garlic powder is milder and sweeter than regular garlic powder. You can use regular garlic powder, but use a little less since it’s stronger.

1 tablespoon Raw sugar: Also known as cane sugar, this brings a light crunch and gentle sweetness. White sugar also works, but it dissolves faster and won’t give you the same texture.

1 tablespoon Brown sugar: This adds moisture and a deep, caramel-like sweetness. It helps the rub stick to the chicken. Both light and dark brown sugar work, but dark gives a richer flavor.

2 tablespoons Honey: Honey ties everything together. It adds sweetness and helps the dry ingredients stick to your wings. You can also use maple syrup or agave nectar, but the flavor will change slightly.

Essential Tools for Preparing the Rub

Small Mixing Bowl: Use this to mix everything.
Fork or Small Whisk: Use this to break up clumps and mix well.
Airtight Jar or Container: Use this to store any leftover rub.

How to Make Wingstop Hot Honey Rub at Home

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Place your dry ingredients in a small bowl. Use a fork to mix them well until the color is even.

Step 2: Add the Honey

Next, add two tablespoons of honey to the center of the dry mix. If the honey sticks to the spoon, make sure to scrape it all in.

Step 3: Combine Thoroughly

This step is essential. Use your fork to press and stir the honey into the dry mix. Keep mixing. At first, it will lump together. Keep pushing and stirring until there are no dry spots left. The final mix should look like clumpy, wet sand. Your Wingstop Hot Honey Rub is now ready to use!

Tips, Tricks, and Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Adjust the Heat to Your Taste
If you prefer a milder dish, use less chipotle pepper. Start with a quarter of a pack instead of half. You can always add more spice later.

2. Get the Rub to Stick Just Right
Honey helps the rub stick to your wings, but too much can make them soggy. Use just enough honey to coat each wing lightly. Instead of dumping the rub on, pat it onto the chicken.

3. Store Your Homemade Rub Properly
Honey can make the rub hard over time. To keep it fresh, store it in a cool, dry place. Don’t keep it near the stove, as heat and moisture can make it clump. You can also freeze it in small portions and thaw it before using.

4. Pour the Honey Slowly
Pour the honey slowly and mix as you go for an even texture. Don’t use old spices, as they lose flavor and won’t give you the bold taste you want.

Serving Suggestions for Wings and More

This rub pairs well with many side dishes. I enjoy serving it with crispy fries. The sweet and spicy flavors complement the salty crunch. Coleslaw is another flawless option. The cool, creamy slaw balances the rub’s warmth.

You can also serve it with corn on the cob, mac and cheese, or a simple garden salad. For drinks, iced tea or lemonade helps cool things down. The key is to keep things simple so the wings stay the primary focus.

Best Practices for Storing Your Homemade Rub

Store your Hot Honey Rub in a small glass jar with a tight lid. Keep it in your pantry, out of sunlight and heat. It stays fresh for about 2 weeks. After that, the honey may harden, and the spices may lose their flavor.

For leftover wings, let them cool first. Then, put them in a covered container and refrigerate. They will stay suitable for up to 3 days.

Yield: 12