The 12 Best Wingstop Sauces, Ranked
According to Forbes, the beloved chicken wing is continually growing in popularity — and it's easy to see why. For most of us, it doesn't get much better than handheld chunks of freshly-fried chicken tossed in a tasty sauce. Usually dunked in creamy ranch or a tangy blue cheese dressing and served with cold sticks of carrots and celery, chicken wings are easy to eat and pack a big punch when it comes to flavor.
Fast casual chain Wingstop knows a thing or two about chicken wings, and since opening its doors in 1994, the company has expanded to over 1,500 locations. With 12 different flavors, including hickory smoked barbecue, garlic parmesan, and mango habanero, Wingstop offers a wide range of sauces to please a variety of palates. The restaurant's wing flavors also span across a spectrum of spiciness, offering everything from mild flavors, like lemon pepper all the way up to hotter sauces, like cajun and atomic. Since individual spice tolerance tends to vary, offering a collection of different sauces is a smart way to cater to everyone's personal tastes. But how should you know which sauces are truly a triumph of taste? That's where we come in. Here are the 12 best Wingstop flavors ranked.
12. Atomic
As the hottest flavor that Wingstop offers, the company's forebodingly titled atomic sauce might seem a little intimidating to the uninitiated. According to an alleged Wingstop employee on Reddit, the restaurant's atomic sauce is made with a blend of selected Louisiana peppers and vinegar. For the most part, connoisseurs of crispy fried farm foul seem pretty divided on this one. While some say the atomic wings are disappointingly mild and mostly just taste like black pepper, others insist wings tossed in this flavor are so spicy that taking them down requires multiple glasses of water.
There's a reason that we all have different tolerance levels for spiciness and it all comes down to science (via Discover). Repeated exposure to capsaicin (the chemical in peppers that triggers our sense of spiciness) can eventually erode the receptors on the tongue's nerve cells, which can eventually weaken the transmission of pain signals. In other words, the more spicy food you eat, the less spicy it becomes to your taste receptors over time. Here's the bottom line: If you're a chili-head that constantly consumes hot sauce and eats spicy food on a regular basis, Wingstop's atomic sauce may not be all that exciting for your tastebuds. But if you're a bit more inexperienced with spiciness, there's a good chance this flavor will leave your tongue throbbing. Even though Wingstop's atomic sauce has a nice kick to it, we wish that the flavor profile was a bit more complex. It's mostly just a one-trick pony, with a quick flash of heat, along with a rapidly fading hint of vinegar.
11. Lemon Pepper
When it comes to wing flavors, lemon pepper is a classic. When a seasoned burst of black pepper and lemon mix to create a citrusy dry rub with a mildly pleasant bite, it's truly hard to resist — especially on fried chicken. Because lemon pepper doesn't feature any hot peppers, it's one of the most mild flavor options on the table, making it a great choice for those who like to play it safe when it comes to spice.
As a dry rub, Wingstop's lemon pepper wings are devoid of sauce, which can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your preferences. On the one hand, because lemon pepper wings are sauceless, it allows the fried chicken to retain its crispiness better. On the other hand, lemon pepper wings can also taste a bit too dry, since the flavoring is purely based on seasoning rather than a liquid sauce. Another thing to consider is the amount of lemon pepper dry rub that's being used, which can be inconsistent. If too much dry rub is used, some diners tend to complain about the lemon pepper wings being too salty, but with just the right amount of rub, Wingstop's lemon pepper wings are gentle and tasty. While Wingstop's lemon pepper dry rub isn't the absolute best flavor that the restaurant offers, it's still a solid option with a refreshing twist of citrus.
10. Mild
For an approachable level of mellow heat, you can't go wrong with a mild wing sauce. The mild sauce at Wingstop is somewhat similar to the company's original hot sauce flavor, but the spice level is far more tame. The end result is a pleasant sparkle of spice that's nearly undetectable, helping add a faint touch of heat without overwhelming the senses or inducing any cartoon-esque streams of smoke from your orifices. Wingstop's mild sauce is a good fit for wing-lovers that love fried chicken but tend to shy away from bold, assertive flavors.
One of the benefits of opting for Wingstop's mild sauce is that it allows you to really focus on the taste and texture of the chicken. While other sauces might be spicier and more flavorful, their flashy flavors can overpower the taste of the meat itself. That's not the case with this mild sauce. True to form and as expected, Wingstop's mild wing sauce is subdued with a moderate level of spice. Simply put, it's flavorful without being too forceful, making it accessible to pretty much any palate.
9. Hickory Smoked BBQ
It's no secret that barbecue sauce and fried chicken go hand-in-hand. There's something special about the tanginess of barbecue sauce that perfectly complements crispy, succulent chicken. The truth is that Wingstop's version of this culinary staple is on par with most other barbecue sauces you'll encounter on the market — but that doesn't necessarily make it any less appealing. This is a classic case of, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Wingstop isn't trying to reinvent the wheel with its hickory smoked barbecue sauce — and that's perfectly understandable, considering it's a classic flavor with mass appeal. Sweet, rich, and just a little smoky, this barbecue sauce pairs exceptionally well with boneless tenders, helping remind us of the good ol' days when we dipped chicken nuggets in barbecue sauce as kids.
Some people even say that Wingstop's hickory smoked barbecue sauce is the best flavor that the restaurant has to offer. While we'd respectfully disagree, we still really enjoy this barbecue sauce and it definitely hits the spot on occasion. If you're looking for some added flavor, next time be sure to order some chicken tossed in barbecue sauce with a little cup of original hot sauce on the side. The zing of the hot sauce adds some extra oomph to the barbecue in the best way possible.
8. Hawaiian
What comes to mind when you imagine a Hawaiian-flavored wing sauce? For many of us, Hawaii's tropical vibes conjure up impressions of a fruity sauce that's a bit sweet and citrusy. And that's pretty much exactly what you get with the Hawaiian-flavored wing sauce at Wingstop. Though some people may find it a bit too sweet, we still find this sauce to be fairly complex. According to an alleged Wingstop employee on Reddit, that flavor complexity is due to the inclusion of ginger and garlic. Ginger's uniquely refreshing flavor along with the pungent punch of garlic elevate this sweet and satisfying glaze and make it one of the best that Wingstop has to offer.
Considering this sauce's inherent sweetness, anyone hoping for a kick of heat is bound to be disappointed. This flavor is best-suited for diners who tend to gravitate towards more sticky, syrupy sauces. Dunking Hawaiian-sauced chicken in some blue cheese or ranch dressing helps balance out that sweetness with some zesty flavor. As good as this sauce is, we think it would benefit from a little less sugar and a little more citrus — and perhaps a touch of pineapple.
7. Louisiana Rub
For a flavor that's moderately spicy, Wingstop's Louisiana Rub is a good choice. According to a user on Reddit, the Louisiana dry rub at Wingstop is made with a blend of cajun seasoning, garlic seasoning, and butter. While it's difficult to track down an official recipe for this flavor, we'd have to concur that those three ingredients seem pretty close to the real deal. A little spicy and briny with an assertive garlicky flavor, the Louisiana rub at Wingstop offers a bold, invigorating taste that deliciously complements fried chicken.
Because this sauce doesn't utilize much liquid compared to other flavors on the menu at Wingstop, it helps keep the chicken nice and crunchy. For this reason, this is a good flavor when you really want to let this crispiness of the fried chicken really shine as wetter sauces often bog down crispness. It's also a great flavor to try out with Wingstop's fried chicken sandwich since it pairs so well with pickles. Peppery and mouth-watering, the Louisiana Rub from Wingstop is definitely one of the company's best flavors. If you haven't rolled the dice on it yet, give it a whirl and see what you've been missing out on.
6. Serrano Pepper
While this particular flavor is no longer being offered by Wingstop, we'd be remiss if we didn't give a shout-out to the serrano pepper glaze that was sold for a limited time starting back in 2015 (via QSR). Made with a luscious blend of roasted serrano peppers and fresh citrus, this glaze at Wingstop was refreshingly zesty with just the right amount of heat. While some people thought the sauce was a little on the sweet side, others noted how the sourness of the citrus helped balance it out (via Reddit). Each bite was bright with citrus, yet slightly smoky with a tingle from the roasted serrano peppers. Bold yet well-balanced, this is easily one of the best flavor combinations that Wingstop has dreamed up since its inception.
When a sauce is this good, it almost feels like an act of betrayal to take it off the menu, and you can't help but wonder why Wingstop would do such a thing. Maybe one day we'll get lucky and Wingstop will rectify this injustice by resurrecting the recipe and giving the world what it truly wants and needs — a continuous supply of delectably scrumptious roasted serrano pepper glaze. Nothing wrong with keeping the dream alive, right?
5. Garlic Parmesan
If you ask us, the combination of parmesan cheese and garlic is a match made in heaven. There's some delicious magic that happens when fried chicken gets dusted with a buttery coating of parmesan cheese and then tossed with some garlic. This flavor combination is bound to be a favorite among those of us who love Italian food, since the mixture of parmesan and garlic obviously calls to mind popular dishes like pizza, spaghetti, and garlic bread. One thing's for sure, though, the Garlic Parmesan chicken wings at Wingstop are a surefire way to buckle in for a tasty ride.
While it's true that this sauce isn't exactly breaking new ground, the truth is that some of the best things in life are classically simple. Garlic Parmesan is a consistent source of culinary joy that you can always depend on, and Wingstop is wise for cashing in on its delicious mass appeal. Endlessly tasty and highly satisfying, there's no doubt that this rub is one of the most top-notch flavors the restaurant has on deck. If you haven't given it a try yet, do yourself a favor and treat yourself the next time you swing by.
4. Original Hot
It's hard to beat a classic wing sauce. Tangy and spicy, the Original Hot sauce flavor is where it all started at Wingstop. Although the sauce at Wingstop gives off a slightly darker red appearance than other Buffalo-style wing sauces, this flavor is true to form, with a peppery bite and a healthy dose of vinegar (via Top Secret Recipes). Buttery and pleasantly pungent, this hot sauce has a level of heat that may present a challenge for newcomers, but anyone who enjoys spicy food on a regular basis should find it easily approachable.
The beauty of the original hot sauce is how simple and delicious it is. With just a few ingredients — chili peppers, vinegar, and butter — this tasty crimson sheen can coat just about anything and instantly transform it into a mouthwatering masterpiece. Whether it's tossed with chicken wings, boneless tenders, or lathered over a crispy filet to make a fried chicken sandwich, the Original Hot sauce brings a lively flavor that truly awakens the taste buds. The smell alone is enough to stir up a ravenous appetite, with its acidic and piquant nature, along with the briny aroma of chili peppers and vinegar boldly converging in blissful union. This stuff is so tasty that it's pretty much impossible to resist licking every last drop off your fingers.
3. Cajun
We've reached the point where we're moving into spicier territory. But don't mistake Cajun's heat level for a lack of flavor because as spicy as it may be, this is still one of Wingstop's tastiest sauces. This sauce is basically the lovechild of Wingstop's Louisiana Rub and the restaurant's Original Hot sauce. Buttery with a hint of vinegar and sparkled with cajun seasoning, this sauce is a great choice for anyone who likes bold flavors. While the spice level on this one is among the hottest that Wingstop offers, it should be relatively easy to handle for most chili pepper lovers. That said, those who tend to take the path of least resistance and steer clear of all things spicy will probably find themselves reaching for a glass of water between bites on this one.
The addition of Cajun seasoning to the Original Hot sauce elevates the flavor profile in a remarkable way. Diners tend to say that this sauce has just the right amount of heat to it (via Reddit). Because this flavor is a mix of seasoning and sauce, you get the best of both worlds as the tangy hot sauce ensures that the chicken is thoroughly coated in all of its nooks and crannies, while the spice blend adds a pop of seasoning for an extra dose of zest.
2. Spicy Korean Q
Made with a mouth-watering blend of garlic, ginger, sriracha, and crushed red pepper flakes, the spicy Korean Q flavor at Wingstop is one of its best. Never mind that sriracha is actually rooted in Thai food and has virtually no real connection to authentic Korean cuisine (via NPR), this stuff is still delicious, and, in the end, isn't that all that matters?
Often considered a personal favorite among die-hard Wingstop fans, the Spicy Korean Q sauce balances sweet, sour, and savory notes to delicious effect. With a moderate spice level, this sauce won't necessarily set you ablaze, but it will spark a steady tingle on your tongue. The garlic and ginger in this sauce are detectable but mostly subdued. Rather, the sweetness and spice of the chili paste in this sauce is what really shines through the most. As tasty as this sauce is, if you ask us, it would still benefit from a little gochujang in the mix in order to add some extra depth — and also help it rightfully earn the "Korean" label that it's being marketed as.
1. Mango Habanero
Mango Habanero is one of the best flavor combinations out there. While each of these ingredients is complex in their own right, their fusion forges a sauce that's truly spectacular. Sweet and sticky yet imbued with a steady burn, the Mango Habanero sauce at Wingstop is deliciously complex and best-suited for those who like a little kick when it comes to heat.
The fruity funk of mangoes mixed with the floral fire of orange habaneros pairs perfectly with fried chicken. Some people love this stuff so much that they're desperately trying to recreate it at home (via Reddit). Spicy yet pleasant, this sauce is so tasty that it keeps you coming back for more — even if you're feeling a bit flushed from the habanero peppers. The good news is that a quick dunk in some ranch or blue cheese dressing is always enough to put out the fire. Fruity with a touch of flavorful fire, the Mango Habanero glaze at Wingstop is deliciously complex, making it the best sauce that the restaurant has to offer.