As cheesy as this is going to sound, Buffalo chicken wings have a very special place in my heart. Many moons ago when Omar (my now husband) and I first started dating, our Sunday afternoon routine during football season was always a date to Buffalo Wild Wings so he (I mean we) could watch Miami play football.
Here’s a quick little story to help you understand why I became a chick that likes to watch football: A long time ago, my brother and I were chit-chatting and he said something to me that has always stuck with me. “There’s nothing cooler than a chick that will watch football with the guys.” My girly girl response was: “WHAT?! Football is so boring. I don’t like it. I don’t understand it. Ugh, I would rather shop.” My brother: “Whitney, trust me on this and watch football with your man. Pretend to like it if you have to. Just try it out!”
Moving forward some years… I meet Omar. A man with a love for all things travel, football, and food. I was reminded of my conversation with my sweet brother and realized I needed to learn to like football ASAP. Fake it till you make it, right?! YES!
As I learned to like and somewhat understand football, it was during those football-watching dates, eating Buffalo chicken wings, and having a cocktail or two that we had some of our best conversations. It was during a football game where we could be laughing and teasing each other one minute and having a serious heart to heart conversation the next that made me fall more and more in love with him.
You may be thinking, okay that’s a cute little story. Who doesn’t have some cheesy football love story?! But here’s the thing that makes me melt. When he says, “Hey Babe, I’m ordering tickets to the Alabama game next week for US,” there’s nothing sweeter than knowing he wants me to go with him! He could very well order tickets for him and one of his boys, which would be totally fine with me. Ah, but ladies (and gents!) there’s nothing better than when he CHOOSES you!
I’ve gotten to go to some really good football games with my man just because I decided to try and like something that’s important to him. The time we share together is priceless for this super introverted quality timer! I wouldn’t trade our football and chicken wing dates for anything else.
So, in honor of being a chick that actually likes to watch football now, and with The Big Game right around the corner, I’ve created one of our favorite foods to eat while we watch football: Buffalo chicken wings! Now, I try my hardest to keep those “not so healthy” foods just a little bit healthier. So, I baked these babies instead of frying them and I used a really healthy Buffalo sauce you can find here. I serve these wings up with some celery and carrots and some homemade Ranch dressing, and Omar is one happy man while watching his favorite teams play!
I hope you enjoy these wings! Let me know if you try this recipe out!
Cheers to happy and healthy eating,
Whitney
Baked Not Fried Buffalo Chicken Wings
(Serves 6-8 Prep: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 60 minutes)
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs chicken wings, washed and patted dry with a paper towel
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; optional
- 1 bottle Tessemae’s Buffalo Sauce (Or your favorite kind!)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with a wire rack and set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the butter, sesame oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Whisk until the butter has melted.
- Add the wings to a large mixing bowl and pour the butter mixture all over the wings. Stir well until each wing is coated.
- Spread the wings out in a single layer on your sheet pans. Bake for 45 – 50 minutes. Flip the wings over at the 25-minute mark. Set a timer!
- Five minutes before the wings are done, add the Buffalo sauce to a saucepan and warm it up on low heat.
- Once the wings are done, add them to a large mixing bowl and pour the Buffalo sauce on the wings. Stir until all the wings are covered. Place the wings on a pretty serving platter and serve with carrots and celery!
Miami Mom Collective is not an official sponsor of the NFL.
