"Sweet and Smoky Mezcal-Infused Buffalo Wings are a culinary adventure that merge the fiery zest of buffalo sauce with the deep, smoky notes of mezcal."
Sweet and Smoky Mezcal-Infused Buffalo Wings
5
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
Jump to Section
- Recipe Card
Prep time: 15mins
Cook time: 1hr
Serves or Makes: 4
Recipe Card
ingredients
Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings
- 2 pounds buffalo wings
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
ingredients
Sweet and Smoky Mezcal-Infused Sauce
- 1/2 cup mezcal
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup agave nectar
- 1 zested and juiced lime
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 4 cloves smashed garlic
- 1 rehydrated and chopped, optional chipotle pepper
- salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Method
Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings
Step 1
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven.
Step 2
Dry the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for getting crispy wings.
Step 3
Combine Seasonings: In a large bowl, combine baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Add the wings to the bowl and toss them until they are evenly coated with the mixture.
Step 4
Arrange the Wings: Place a wire rack on a baking sheet. Arrange the wings on the rack in a single layer, allowing enough space for even cooking. This setup allows the heat to circulate around the chicken, which will give you a crispy wing without frying.
Step 5
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, turning over halfway through. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before tossing in the sauce.
Sweet and Smoky Mezcal-Infused Sauce
Step 1
Reduce the Mezcal: In a small sauce pan, bring the mezcal to a simmer over medium heat. Allow it to reduce by half, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 2
Add Ingredients: Stir in the butter, hot sauce, agave nectar (or honey), lime juice, lime zest, garlic, apple cider vinegar, and the chipotle pepper.
Step 3
Simmer: Turn the heat down to low, and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Step 4
Blend: Transfer the sauce to a blender, or using an immersion blender, blend until the mixture is smooth. If need be, pass through a mesh strainer to remove any large bits of garlic or chipotle pepper.
Step 5
Toss Wings: Add the crispy baked wings to a large bowl. Pour the warm sauce over them, and toss to combine. Serve immediately.