Wingstop is a popular chicken wing restaurant chain known for its wide variety of flavorful wing sauces and rubs. One of their most unique menu items is the hot honey rub, a sweet and spicy seasoning blend that provides the perfect balance of heat and sweetness.
What is a Dry Rub?
Before exploring the hot honey rub specifically, it helps to understand what a dry rub is. A dry rub refers to a blend of dried spices, herbs, and seasonings that is rubbed directly onto meat before cooking. The rub adheres to the surface of the meat and forms a flavorful, textured crust when cooked. Dry rubs are a quick and easy way to add a complex layer of seasoning without having to marinate.
At Wingstop, dry rubs are offered as an alternative to the traditional wet, saucy wings. Rubs allow you to add bold flavor while still tasting the crispiness of the fried chicken wing underneath. Currently, Wingstop offers seven signature dry rubs, including Cajun, Lemon Pepper, Hawaiian, Atomic, Mango Habanero, The Classic, and Hot Honey Rub.
Hot Honey Rub Ingredients
The Wingstop hot honey rub combines sweet and heat in one addictive blend. While the exact recipe is proprietary, some of the main ingredients are thought to include:
- Honey – A sweet, viscous condiment made by bees
- Cayenne pepper – A hot chili pepper that provides heat
- Paprika – A mild, sweet red pepper popular in spice blends
- Garlic powder – Dehydrated, ground garlic that provides aroma
- Onion powder – Dehydrated, ground onion that provides flavor
- Salt – For enhansing flavor
- Black pepper – Adds a touch of spice
The honey acts as the base, providing a lovely sweetness that counterbalances the heat from cayenne pepper and other spices. The blend of spices gives the rub depth, complexity, and a slight smoky quality.
How Hot is the Hot Honey Rub?
Given the name, you may be wondering just how spicy the hot honey rub really is. According to Wingstop, it earns a 5 out of 10 on their proprietary spice scale.
For comparison, here is how other Wingstop rubs and sauces rank in terms of heat level:
| Seasoning | Spice Level |
|---|---|
| Lemon Pepper Rub | 0 out of 10 |
| Atomic Rub | 10 out of 10 |
| Louisiana Rub | 7 out of 10 |
| Mango Habanero Rub | 8 out of 10 |
| Hawaiian Rub | 1 out of 10 |
| Hot Ranch Sauce | 4 out of 10 |
| Mild Sauce | 2 out of 10 |
| Hot Sauce | 6 out of 10 |
| Atomic Sauce | 10 out of 10 |
As you can see, the hot honey rub is moderately spicy, registering right in the middle of Wingstop’s heat index. It provides a noticeable kick and warming sensation, but likely won’t be face-meltingly hot for true chili-heads.
How is the Hot Honey Rub Made?
Wingstop’s unique hot honey rub starts with a base of sweet, smooth honey. To make a homemade version, you can use any high quality honey, such as wildflower, clover, or orange blossom.
Next, cayenne pepper and other dried spices like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder are measured out and thoroughly mixed into the honey to distribute evenly throughout. A small amount of oil may be incorporated as well to create a smooth paste-like texture.
The optimal spice ratios and preparation process is a closely guarded secret, but you can experiment at home with the ingredient list above to create your own approximation. Start with a 2:1 ratio of honey to spices and adjust to taste. The mixture can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 months.
How to Eat Wings with Hot Honey Rub
To fully enjoy the Wingstop hot honey rub, order a batch of bone-in or boneless wings coated generously in the sweet and spicy blend. The wings are lightly fried or baked until cooked through and crispy on the outside. Then they are tossed or brushed with the prepared hot honey spice mix, coating each wing evenly.
The hot honey rub really shines when paired with blue cheese or ranch dipping sauce. The cool, creamy dips provide the perfect contrast to the warm burn of the rub. Every bite is a sweet, savory, and spicy explosion of flavor!
Some tips for getting the most out of your hot honey wings:
- Ask for extra rub – Don’t be shy about really packing it on
- Order the wings extra crispy to balance the sauce
- Combine dips for added flavor – try blue cheese AND ranch
- Have a cold drink ready to tame the heat
- Lick your fingers, the rub keeps tasting great
Nutritional Info
One serving of Wingstop hot honey wings (about 5 wings) contains approximately:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 |
| Fat | 24g |
| Carbs | 24g |
| Protein | 27g |
Keep in mind that sauced wings are higher in calories and fat compared to plain dry rub wings. However, the honey in the rub adds antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Other Menu Items with Hot Honey Rub
In addition to wings, Wingstop allows you to add a drizzle of hot honey rub to any menu item. Some popular choices include:
- Chicken tenders – Crispy fried tenders with hot honey rub
- Chicken sandwiches – Spice up your chicken sandwich or wrap
- Chicken quesadillas – Hot honey rub in the quesadilla or as a dip
- French fries – Sweet potato or regular fries with rub on top
- Fried pickles – Unexpected but delicious combo
You can also order a side of hot honey rub as a sauce or dipping accompaniment for any meal. Drizzle it over burgers, pizza, salads, tacos, and more for a flavor boost.
Copycat Hot Honey Rub Recipe
Want to recreate the sweet heat at home? Use this simple copycat recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Stir thoroughly until well combined.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Rub over cooked wings, tenders, or other foods as desired.
Feel free to tweak the honey-to-spice ratio to your taste. Aim for a balance of sweet and heat. You may need more or less cayenne pepper depending on how hot you like it.
Where to Buy Hot Honey Rub
Craving that addictive Wingstop hot honey flavor but don’t have time to make it from scratch? You’re in luck – Wingstop sells their signature rubs in bottles online and in select grocery stores.
You can purchase a 14oz bottle of the hot honey rub on Wingstop’s website or Amazon. A few tips for buying:
- Check the production date – freshest within 6 months of manufacturing
- Price ranges from $7.99 to $14.99 per bottle
- Can be shipped nationwide in the US
- Stores restock regularly so check back if sold out
You may also be able to find the rub at select grocery stores including Walmart, Kroger, Publix, and Safeway. Call your local stores ahead to check availability.
Other Uses for Hot Honey Rub
The Wingstop hot honey rub truly elevates chicken wings, but its balanced sweet and spicy flavor profile pairs well with many other foods too. Get creative with these hot honey rub recipe ideas:
- Pizza – Drizzle over pizza fresh out of the oven
- Popcorn – Toss rubbed popcorn with parmesan cheese
- Fries – Upgrade french fries by seasoning with the rub
- Roasted vegetables – Coat vegetables before roasting for a kick
- Salads – Sprinkle on leafy greens for a sweet dressing
- Bruschetta – Top bread with tomatoes, basil, and hot honey
- Fruit – Pair with pineapple, mango, peaches, etc
- Yogurt – Swirl into plain yogurt for a breakfast kick
- Oatmeal – Stir in for added depth and heat
- Cocktails – Rim glasses with rub or add to drinks
The possibilities are endless for this versatile spice blend! It can turn an everyday meal into an explosion of sweet heat and flavor.
Conclusion
Wingstop’s hot honey rub is a craveable blend of sweet honey and spicy cayenne that perfectly balances sticky-sweet and fiery hot. This unique dry rub packs a moderate punch while coating each lickable wing or tender in a caramelized, spice-crusted exterior. Drizzle it over all your favorite foods to add the signature Wingstop flavor profile of savory, spicy, and sweet to anything.