Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce

If you’ve ever craved the delicious taste of Hooters Daytona Beach sauce, you’re in for a treat. This smoky, spicy, and tangy sauce is a unique twist on traditional wing flavors. Whether you’re enjoying wings at Hooters or recreating the experience at home, this versatile sauce adds a finger-licking punch to your meals. With ingredients like mayonnaise, ketchup, Tabasco, Worcestershire, lemon juice, horseradish, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, it balances sweet and spicy elements beautifully. Imagine the crunchy texture of fried or baked wings, perfectly coated with this caramelized glaze, delivering a sweet yet smoky finish. 

While some swear by its barbecue richness for holiday events, others enjoy pairing it with grilled pork or vegetables. As a manager at a Midwest eatery once shared, this sauce transforms ordinary meals into a restaurant-style experience. For a quicker option, you can find items at Walmart or Amazon, making it easy to satisfy those cravings. Whether it’s Daytona-style or inspired by Fresh’s Hoosier 101 Wing Sauce, this hot sauce is your go-to for a crispy, low-calorie, yet indulgent treat.

What Makes Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce Special?

The Hooters Daytona Beach sauce is a famous and iconic blend that brings out the best in wings, whether you’re enjoying them at a restaurant or recreating them at home. Known for its sweet, smoky, and spicy flavor, this special sauce is perfect for Daytona Beach wings, which are naked wings that are not breaded, but rather cooked and slathered with this sticky, tangy, BBQ-inspired glaze. Combining creamy mayonnaise, ketchup, Tabasco, honey, smoked paprika, and other seasonings, it balances its distinctive profile beautifully, where no one flavor overpowers another. 

This versatile sauce can be used to coat chicken wings, enhance grilled meats, or even as a dipping sauce for sandwiches. Customers love how it adds an extra tasty layer to their meals, making it a beloved menu item. While the recipe is simple and easy to make, you can also find copycat varieties on Walmart or Amazon, allowing you to bring a bit of this Florida town’s signature flavor into your kitchen. It’s no wonder this popular sauce continues to enhance the favorite dishes of Hooters fans around the world.

Key Ingredients for Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce

• 1 cup mayonnaise – forms the creamy base.
• 1/4 cup ketchup – adds sweetness and color.
• 2 tablespoons Tabasco – for heat and tanginess.
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce – for a savory depth.
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice – adds a zesty, fresh flavor.
• 1 teaspoon horseradish sauce – provides a sharp, spicy kick.
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika – adds a smoky aroma.
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder – delivers a subtle garlic note.
• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic – intensifies the garlic flavor.
• Salt and pepper – to balance the flavor.
• 1/4 cup honey – introduces natural sweetness.
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar – enhances sweetness and caramelization.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowl – to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Whisk – for smooth blending and achieving the desired sauce consistency.
• Measuring cups – to ensure accurate portions for the wet ingredients.
• Measuring spoons – for precise amounts of spices and seasonings.

These simple tools make the preparation of Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce quick and easy!

How to Make Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce

Step 1: Gather Ingredients

You’ll need mayonnaise, ketchup, a splash of Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, a touch of horseradish, smoked paprika, a pinch of garlic powder, salt, pepper, and granulated garlic.

Step 2: Mix Ingredients

Place all the sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Step 3: Whisk to Blend

Use a whisk to blend the mixture until it’s smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Heat the Sauce (Optional)

For a richer flavor, transfer the mixture to a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until it begins to boil and bubble, then reduce to low heat. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until it thickens and the flavors meld.

Step 5: Cool and Adjust

Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Adjust the taste and texture as needed.

Step 6: Toss with Wings

Use the sauce to toss Naked wings, or as a glaze for grilled or baked wings. This will recreate the Hooters experience at home with its sweet and spicy balance.

Some Tips!

• Start with a smaller amount of Tabasco and adjust gradually to control the heat level.
• Mix the ingredients really well until the sauce is completely smooth for the best texture.
• Use a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to achieve the perfect citrus flavor.
• To make the sauce milder, reduce the hot sauce or omit the crushed red pepper. For extra heat, you can increase these ingredients to your taste.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small amount of water or soy sauce to thin it. To achieve a richer texture, allow the sauce to simmer and reduce, which will help it thicken naturally.
• Use the sauce as a marinade for chicken wings or other meats, letting it sit for a few hours or overnight to enhance the flavor before grilling.
• When grilling, apply the sauce by brushing it onto the meat during the last few minutes of cooking to create a flavorful glaze without burning the sugars.

How to Store Leftovers

To keep your leftover Daytona Beach Sauce fresh and flavorful, pour it into a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid or an airtight container. Store it in the fridge to maintain its flavor and prevent contamination. If sealed properly, it will stay good for up to one week. For longer storage, use aluminum foil to cover the container before securing the lid. Before using again, stir the sauce thoroughly to ensure the ingredients are well mixed. If it feels too thick, you can reheat it in the oven at a low temperature, around 2-4 minutes, to revive the texture. This method ensures the sauce remains safe and delicious for several days.

What to Eat with Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce?

Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce is a versatile and delicious addition to many dishes. It’s perfect for tossing with grilled chicken wings, chicken bites, or chicken tenders, giving them a sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor. Use it as a sticky and flavorful coating for baked chicken or as a mouthwatering glaze for ribs and pork chops by brushing it on during the last few minutes of grilling or baking. Its tangy kick also works wonderfully for marinating steaks, chicken breasts, or even shrimp, adding an incredibly tasty layer to your favorite meats.

For snacks, the sauce makes a fantastic dipping sauce for fries, onion rings, or veggie sticks, delivering an extra kick of flavor. You can also use it as a spread on burger buns, sandwiches, or wraps, giving a creative twist to everyday meals. Some have even tried it with roasted vegetables, and the results are always tasty. Whether you’re looking to enhance the flavor of your dishes or add a layer of tangy sweetness, this sauce is a great choice for a variety of meals. If you’ve found a unique way to enjoy it, be sure to share your experience!

FAQ

What is the Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce?

Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce is a saucy blend of tangy barbecue sauce, spicy hot sauce, and sweet honey. It’s a good mix of all the best things, offering bold flavors and then some!

What Flavor is Hooters Daytona?

Hooters Daytona features naked wings tossed in a spicy BBQ sauce with a caramelized finish, perfect for the grill.

What is Daytona Beach Style?

Daytona Beach style at Hooters features their original naked wings, tossed in the signature Daytona Beach sauce, then finished on the grill for a perfect sear. The extra cook time adds incredible flavor and is definitely worth waiting for when you order.

What Does Daytona Beach Sauce Taste Like?

Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce has a sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor, making it a perfect balance of bold and tangy tastes.

Conclusion

The Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce is a famous and versatile addition to any kitchen, offering a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy profile that’s perfect for a variety of dishes. Whether you use it for coating wings, glazing meats, or as a dip, this flavorful homemade sauce will surely elevate the taste of your meals. It’s easy to make and store, making it a must-have for your culinary repertoire. Gather the ingredients, try the recipe at home, and share it with your friends and family—they’ll love it! For more delicious wing sauces and recipes, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog.

Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce

Recipe by Emily HarperCourse: SAUCESCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

1

Cup

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calories

120

kcal

Total time

10

minutes

Hooters Daytona Beach Sauce is a sweet, smoky, and spicy glaze, perfect for coating wings, grilled meats, or sandwiches. Made with creamy mayo, ketchup, Tabasco, honey, and smoky spices, it delivers bold, balanced flavor everyone loves.

Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise – forms the creamy base.

• 1/4 cup ketchup – adds sweetness and color.

• 2 tablespoons Tabasco – for heat and tanginess.

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce – for a savory depth.

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice – adds a zesty, fresh flavor.

• 1 teaspoon horseradish sauce – provides a sharp, spicy kick.

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika – adds a smoky aroma.

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder – delivers a subtle garlic note.

• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic – intensifies the garlic flavor.

• Salt and pepper – to balance the flavor.

• 1/4 cup honey – introduces natural sweetness.

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar – enhances sweetness and caramelization.

Directions

• You’ll need mayonnaise, ketchup, a splash of Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, a touch of horseradish, smoked paprika, a pinch of garlic powder, salt, pepper, and granulated garlic.
• Place all the sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl.
• Use a whisk to blend the mixture until it’s smooth and well combined.
• For a richer flavor, transfer the mixture to a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until it begins to boil and bubble, then reduce to low heat. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until it thickens and the flavors meld.
• Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Adjust the taste and texture as needed.
• Use the sauce to toss Naked wings, or as a glaze for grilled or baked wings. This will recreate the Hooters experience at home with its sweet and spicy balance.

Notes

• Start with a smaller amount of Tabasco and adjust gradually to control the heat level.
• Mix the ingredients really well until the sauce is completely smooth for the best texture.
• Use a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to achieve the perfect citrus flavor.
• To make the sauce milder, reduce the hot sauce or omit the crushed red pepper. For extra heat, you can increase these ingredients to your taste.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small amount of water or soy sauce to thin it. To achieve a richer texture, allow the sauce to simmer and reduce, which will help it thicken naturally.
• Use the sauce as a marinade for chicken wings or other meats, letting it sit for a few hours or overnight to enhance the flavor before grilling.
• When grilling, apply the sauce by brushing it onto the meat during the last few minutes of cooking to create a flavorful glaze without burning the sugars.