How have we gone this far and not done a post on wings!? Buffalo wings are so readily available and usually a good low carb appetizer option for going out to eat – just stay away from anything saying ‘sweet’ or ‘honey’. One restaurant based here in Austin makes my favorite sauce – a combo of part BBQ sauce/part Wing sauce and with diced pickled jalapenos for some heat. It is so amazing that we decided to recreate it…Keto-style!

Mr. T and I often go out for wings, whether we do those places that specifically make wings and have 101 flavors to their menu, or just just wherever we end up – wings are usually on the menu. We love just your basic wings with it’s classic spicy buffalo sauce, but also trying different flavors: spicy ranch dry rub, spicy Asian interpretations, spicy garlic – as you can tell, spicy is a must for us.

Since eating at the one wing place I mentioned above, we set out to find out if we can make our favorite sauce on our own. It was tough because they don’t really have a description on the restaurant menu…the only reason I know it’s half BBQ sauce and half wing sauce is because that’s how our waitress described it. It took a bit of trial and error – not that Mr. T had an issue with that. Finally we had a hit on our hands!

For the wings, THE BEST way to do them is to smoke them (we love our Masterbuilt smoker). I cannot tell you how fall apart they are and the flavor is so amazing! However, we realize not everyone has a smoker so we’re also adding in our favorite method for baking them. We’ve found the baking powder helps get them crispy – so don’t miss this step.

We prefer these spicy wings with cooling blue cheese dressing. Naturally the best option here is to make it yourself. I’m adding in our blue cheese dressing as well so you have everything you need for an awesome appetizer or dinner!

Low-Carb/Keto “Amen” Wings

Wings

20 Wings
1Tbsp Baking powder
Salt
Pepper

Wash and pat the wings very dry with paper towels. In a brown paper bag or large bowl, toss the wings with the baking powder, salt and pepper.

FOR THE SMOKER/OVEN VERSION
Set the wings on the wire racks. Set your smoker to 240, we like using Applewood chips for these wings. Smoke for 2 hours. Once the 2 hour smoking time is done, it’s time to put in the oven to help the wings get crispy. Set the oven for 425. Put a baking rack on top of foil wrapped baking sheet (spray with cooking spray to help them not stick to the rack). Add your wings. Cook for 30 minutes, turning halfway.

OVEN ONLY VERSION
Set the oven for 425. Put a baking rack on top of foil wrapped baking sheet (spray with cooking spray to help them not stick to the rack). Add your wings. Cook for 30 minutes, turning halfway.

Serves: 10 (2 wings)

Estimated Nutrition Stats: just the wings: Calories – 105 | Carbs 1g | Net carbs – 1g | Fat 8g | Protein 9g | Fiber 0g.

Amen Sauce

¼ cup Butter
1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot Original Sauce
1/2 cup Low Sugar BBQ Sauce, G Hughes Smokehouse Sugar Free Hickory Flavored BBQ Sauce
1 Tbsp Pickled Jalapenos, chopped + a tsp of jalapeno juice
1 Tbsp Low sugar apricot jam, Smucker’s Sugar Free Apricot Preserves
1 tsp Chipotle in adobo, chopped fine
¼ c bourbon

Heat up a saucepan on the stove, medium low heat. Add in your butter. Once the butter has melted add in the rest of the ingredients, stirring until mixed. When the wings are done, put them in a large bowl, toss with ½ cup of sauce until the wings are well dressed. Add extra if needed.

Serves: 10 (2 Tbsp a serving)

Estimated Nutrition Stats: just the sauce: Calories – 67 | Carbs 2g | Net carbs – 2g | Fat 5g | Protein 0g | Fiber 0g.

NOTE: The nutrition stats I get are after putting the recipe in MyFitnessPal.com. I do the best I can with what I’ve input, but I cannot guarantee 100% accuracy.

Blue Cheese Dressing

4 oz Blue cheese crumbles
1/2 cup Heavy whipping cream
Juice of one lemon
1/4 cup Mayo
1/3 cup Sour cream
1 tsp Worchester Sauce
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder

Mix up all ingredients. Break up any larger chunks with the back of a fork. Let sit for an hour before eating to let the flavors meld.

Serves: 10 (2 Tbsp a serving)

Estimated Nutrition Stats: just the dressing: Calories – 35 | Carbs 1g | Net carbs – 1g | Fat 3g | Protein 0g | Fiber 0g.

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