Feel the heat with this dry buffalo spice mix! It’s customizable to your tastes and is great on chicken, vegetables, eggs, and more!
Mmm so I have to ask, what’s your favorite condiment? You know the one you always seem to have on your shopping list? Brian and I fly through those HUGE family-size ketchup bottles with just the two of us, but I’d say Frank’s Red Hot Wings is the numero uno constant in our kitchen. Frank, you’re right, I do put that ish on everything. Burgers, eggs, plain old turkey sandwiches (not ‘plain old’ anymore with buffalo sauce!), you name it.
Basically, gimme all the wing sauce. It’s got some heat to it, it’s a kitchen staple, and a little goes a long way. Just like this dry spice blend! It’s a mix of spices you probably have hanging around your kitchen cabinets, and is zippy like its inspiration.
I also add it to everything. 🙂
You’ll notice that cumin is not invited to this buffalo spice mix party. Nothing personal, cumin, but even the tiniest bit in some of the earlier versions of this blend immediately made me think of taco seasoning. I love you, taco seasoning, but you’re not doing any favors to this buffalo blend.
The real heat here comes from the cayenne pepper. This spice blend definitely is spicy, but it wasn’t too overpowering for our taste buds. Of course spiciness is all relative, so you might try it and have to dunk your head under a faucet, or you may call me a wimp. This heat builds a little bit, so after a few bites of seasoned food, you’ll probably want to take a drink or two of water. It won’t stop you from enjoying the rest of your food as the spice levels off, but you’ll notice that oof/spicy/mouth-is-tingling feeling sticks around with you for a few minutes after you’re done. That kind of spicy (I hope that helps?).
Bear in mind that wing sauce is a liquid, and includes ingredients that wouldn’t go over so well in a dry spice blend. Namely butter and vinegar, so this spice mix isn’t an exact dupe of a powdered Frank’s. What I like to do when I’m cooking is to add a bit of butter and white vinegar along with this buffalo spice mix to whatever it is I’m making (with a teensy bit of brown sugar if it makes sense) to bring out the…buffaloness even more.
Check back next week for a side dish favorite amped up with buffalo spice! Hint: it involves sweet potatoes, is lightened up, and is something I totally can’t stop eating once I start.
Happy weekend, friends! 🙂
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 4 1/2 tsp paprika
- 2 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 3 1/4 tbsp garlic powder
- 3 tsp mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 4 tsp onion powder
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl. That's it!
Liking the heat? You may also like:
Skinny Buffalo Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Dean says
This sounds fantastic! Any recommendations as to how much of it to mix with a pound of ground chicken (to be made into patties and grilled)?
Alyssa says
Hi Dean, sorry for the delay in my reply! I would think perhaps around 2 tablespoons would nicely flavor the chicken, though I haven’t used this spice mix exactly that way before. It’s fairly spicy from the cayenne, so that would be a main factor in how much to add. It doesn’t have a lot of salt though so I wouldn’t think making the chicken too salty would be an issue. Please let me know if you test it out – your idea with mixing it into grilled chicken burgers sounds delicious!
Keisha says
I noticed everything is measured in teaspoons except the garlic powder. Is that correct to add that many TABLEspoons of garlic powder? Or was it meant to say TEAspoons also? Thanks!
Alyssa says
Hi Keisha! I used tablespoons. I LOVE garlic though, so I definitely wanted the garlic flavor to come through. Though you can totally modify the amount to fit your tastes – maybe start with adding less and see if you’d like to add more. 🙂
B says
Sounds like an interesting recipe, though the use of “chili powder” means there probably is cumin in the mix, along with oregano, as well as a duplication of other spices in the recipe. It might be interesting to see a version of this mix from basic spices.
Alyssa says
Ooh honey mustard is great too! Such a good idea to make your own at home. That way you can never (or, rarely) run out! 🙂 Thanks Ashley!
Ashley says
Sweet potatoes??? I’m staying tuned! haha Love this spice mix! I adore making stuff like this at home!
Oooo favorite condiment is a hard question! I’d probably say honey mustard (but I just keep mustard in the house and mix in honey myself!)
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
Love homemade spice blends! This is a winner for sure! Pinned 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Ashley! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I totally fly through ketchup, too! I love the idea of making your own spice mix, Alyssa! Sounds so flavorful and even better than the store bought kind!
Alyssa says
Thanks Gayle! It’s definitely become a favorite around here. Along with ketchup. 🙂
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
You’ve just taught me something very useful (and delicious!) tonight, Alyssa! I love your one-line recipe, too! I wish all recipes were this simple!
Alyssa says
Haha thanks Helen! I do too…checking over the steps here was a cinch! 😉
marcie says
I love making my own seasonings, and I’m going to add this to my list! I love the spicy buffalo flavors, and I’m hoping one day the rest of my family can handle the heat! 🙂
Alyssa says
I justified my purchase of way too many little glass jars than we have space for by saying we’d make a bunch of spice blends. I think I’m obsessed! Thanks Marcie!
Ciao Florentina says
Such a great mix to have handy in your pantry for a weeknight grilled chicken dinner !
Alyssa says
Yesss I agree! 🙂
Cailee says
This looks delicious! Very tasty and a fun addition! Thanks for sharing 🙂 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Cailee!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I am such a wimp when it comes to spice. I put the tiniest drop of sriracha on my food and I’m good. Ha! But Shawn looooves the heat. Especially buffalo wings. I know he’d love this spice mix on just about anything : )
Alyssa says
Haha! No judgment here. I once cried in a work meeting because I chose the “hot” BBQ sauce thinking it wouldn’t be that bad. Woof!
Sues says
What an awesome idea! I have such a hard time deciding whether ketchup, Frank’s Red Hot, or Sriracha are my favorite!
Alyssa says
Ooh all three are favorites here too, Sues. We love anything spicy and/or tomato/pepper-based. I hope you have a great weekend! 🙂