Crispy Hooters Copycat Original Wings Recipe You Can Make At Home

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Copycat Hooters Original Wings Recipe (Crispy, Juicy & Saucy!)

If you’ve ever sat in a noisy sports bar, cold drink in hand, and a big plate of hot wings in front of you, you already know the magic of Hooters Original Wings. This copycat recipe brings that same crispy, tangy, buttery flavor home — without deep fryer drama or mystery ingredients. We’ll walk through it step by step so you can make restaurant-style wings in your own kitchen, even on a busy weeknight.

A Quick Background: Why Hooters Wings Are So Iconic

Crispy copycat Hooters buffalo wings coated in orange sauce with celery, carrots, and ranch on a plate.
Copycat Hooters Original Wings—crispy, saucy, and perfect for game day

Hooters is a casual American restaurant that became famous in the 1980s for its relaxed bar atmosphere, sports on TV, and of course, its chicken wings. The wings are known for their:
  • Crunchy coating that stays crisp under sauce
  • Juicy chicken inside, with a tender bite
  • Buttery hot sauce that’s tangy, a little spicy, and totally addictive
When that platter hits the table, you smell the buttery heat, see that bright orange glaze, and hear the crunch when you take the first bite. It’s salty, tangy, slightly spicy, and just messy enough to make it fun. This recipe is a copycat version meant to capture the spirit and flavor of Hooters-style wings at home. It is not the original restaurant recipe, and we’re not claiming any official connection to Hooters.

Copycat Hooters Original Wings Recipe Overview

  • Serving Size: About 4 servings (3–4 whole wings per person)
  • Total Wings: About 2 pounds of wings (split into drumettes and flats)
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30–60 minutes rest time)
  • Cook Time: 15–18 minutes per batch
  • Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
Approximate Nutrition (per serving, assuming 4 servings): (This will vary based on oil temperature, wing size, and sauce amount.)
  • Calories: ~520
  • Protein: ~32 g
  • Fat: ~35 g
  • Carbs: ~17 g
  • Fiber: ~0 g
  • Sodium: ~900 mg

Ingredients for Copycat Hooters Original Wings

For the Wings: For the Hooters-Style Wing Sauce: For Serving:

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Hooters-Style Wings at Home

Step 1: Prep the Chicken Wings

1. Dry the wings: Pat the wings very dry with paper towels. Dry skin = crispier wings.
2. Season lightly: Sprinkle a small pinch of salt and pepper over the wings and toss to coat.
3. If you bought whole wings, cut them at the joints so you have drumettes and flats. Discard the tips or save them for stock.

Step 2: Mix the Crispy Coating

1. In a large bowl, whisk together:
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2. Pour the milk (or buttermilk) into a shallow dish.

Step 3: Dredge the Wings

1. Working with a few wings at a time, dip them quickly in the milk, letting any excess drip off.
2. Toss the wings in the seasoned flour mixture until fully coated.
3. Place coated wings on a wire rack or a baking sheet.
4. Let them rest for 30–60 minutes in the fridge. This helps the coating stick better and crisp up.

Step 4: Heat the Oil (Food Safety Note!)

1. Pour oil into a heavy pot or deep fryer until it’s about 2–3 inches deep.
2. Heat to 350–375°F. Use a deep-fry or candy thermometer for safety.
3. Keep kids and pets away from the stove while frying. Hot oil can splatter.
Food safety tip: Chicken must reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F to be safe to eat. We’ll check this later with an instant-read thermometer if you have one.

Step 5: Fry the Wings

1. Fry in small batches so you don’t crowd the pot. Gently lower the wings into the hot oil.
2. Cook for about 10–12 minutes, turning once or twice, until they are:
  • Golden brown
  • Crispy
  • At least 165°F in the thickest part, not touching the bone
3. Remove wings with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, or on paper towels to drain.
4. Let the oil return to temperature between batches. This keeps the coating crisp instead of greasy.

Step 6: Make the Hooters-Style Wing Sauce

1. While the wings are frying, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Don’t brown it.
2. Stir in:
  • 1/2 cup hot sauce
  • 1 tsp vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • Pinch of sugar
3. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust:
  • For more heat, add more hot sauce.
  • For a milder flavor, add a little extra melted butter.
4. Keep warm on the lowest heat, or turn off and rewarm gently before tossing the wings.

Step 7: Sauce the Wings

1. Place hot, freshly fried wings in a large metal or glass mixing bowl.
2. Pour the warm wing sauce over the wings.
3. Toss well until every wing is glossy and coated. You can use tongs or gently shake the bowl back and forth.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

1. Serve immediately with:
  • Ranch or blue cheese dressing
  • Celery and carrot sticks
2. If you like them extra saucy, drizzle a little more sauce over the top just before serving.

Easy Air Fryer Hooters-Style Wings (Simplified Version)

No deep fryer? No problem. An air fryer makes great crispy wings with less oil and less cleanup. What You’ll Do Differently:
  • Skip the milk dip if you want to keep it simple — just toss wings in a little oil and seasoning.
  • You can still use the seasoned flour, but for best results, spray the coated wings lightly with cooking spray.
Air Fryer Instructions:
  • Preheat air fryer to 380°F for 3–5 minutes.
  • Pat wings dry and toss with 1–2 tbsp oil, salt, pepper, and optional flour/cornstarch coating.
  • Place wings in a single layer in the basket (don’t overcrowd).
  • Cook at 380°F for 24–26 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • For extra crisp, raise to 400°F for the last 4–5 minutes.
  • Check that the internal temp is at least 165°F.
  • Toss immediately in the warm wing sauce and serve.
This method is perfect for weeknights when you want that Hooters wing flavor without dealing with a big pot of hot oil.

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Other Modifications

Want to enjoy copycat Hooters wings but have dietary needs? Here are some simple swaps.

Gluten-Free Option

Dairy-Free Option

  • Use unsweetened non-dairy milk (like oat or almond) or skip the milk dip.
  • Swap butter in the sauce with a vegan butter or a neutral oil plus a tiny splash of extra vinegar for flavor.

Lower-Carb / Keto-Friendly

  • Skip the flour and cornstarch; use just salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika on the wings.
  • Bake or air fry until crispy, then toss in a butter + hot sauce mixture with no sugar.

Not-Too-Spicy Version

  • Use less hot sauce and more butter in the wing sauce (for example, 1/3 cup hot sauce to 2/3 cup butter).
  • Skip the cayenne in the flour coating.

Tips for the Best Hooters-Style Wings at Home

  • Dry is key: Really pat the wings dry before coating. Moisture fights against crispiness.
  • Don’t rush the rest time: Letting coated wings rest helps the coating cling better.
  • Watch your oil temp: Too cool = soggy wings; too hot = burnt outside, undercooked inside.
  • Sauce right before serving: Toss wings in sauce while they’re hot, then serve quickly for the best texture.
Have you ever had your coating fall off when you toss wings in sauce? Resting the dredged wings and not overcrowding your fryer are two simple habits that make a big difference.

Share Your Copycat Hooters Wings Experience

If you try this copycat Hooters Original Wings recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out:
  • Did you go full-spice or mild?
  • Deep fryer or air fryer?
  • Team ranch or team blue cheese?
Drop a comment with your tweaks, questions, or game-day plans. And if you know someone who loves Hooters wings, share this recipe with them so they can try making it at home too.

Important Disclaimers

Copycat Recipe Disclaimer: This recipe is a homemade copycat version inspired by Hooters Original Wings. It is based on common cooking techniques, publicly available information, and personal testing. We do not have access to the restaurant’s proprietary recipe, and we are not claiming to represent Hooters or its official products in any way.
Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: Simply Copycat Recipes is an Amazon Associate and may earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link to a product and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the site and allows us to keep sharing free recipes and kitchen tips.
Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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