The meltdown flavor at Wingstop is a spicy and savory chicken wing flavor that packs some serious heat. It’s one of Wingstop’s newer limited-time offerings that aim to provide an intense explosion of flavor in every bite. If you’re a fan of spicy wings, then the meltdown flavor will certainly bring the fire and flavor you crave.
What makes the meltdown flavor so hot and spicy?
The meltdown flavor gets its intense spicy kick from a blend of cayenne pepper, chili peppers, and other hot spices. Wingstop doesn’t reveal their exact recipe, but it’s clear they use a combo of peppers and seasonings to create a flavor that’s all about spicy, savory heat. The cayenne and chili peppers provide that quintessential spicy burn, while other seasonings likely amp up the savory and salty flavors.
In addition to the spicy seasoning blend, the meltdown wings also get tossed in a spicy glaze. This helps the flavor really stick to the wings and allows the heat to coat each bite. The glaze provides a nice sweet and sticky texture along with the spicy seasoning. It’s the interplay between the spicy dry rub and glaze that makes these wings light up your taste buds.
What do the meltdown wings taste like?
Here’s a breakdown of the key flavors you can expect from Wingstop’s meltdown wings:
- Spicy – The most prominent flavor is that intense spicy burn from cayenne, chili peppers and other hot spices. It immediately hits your taste buds with some fiery heat.
- Savory – There are definitely savory, salty flavors balanced with the spice. Likely from seasonings like garlic, onion and paprika.
- Sweet and tangy – The glaze provides both a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the heat. It has some stickiness and texture too.
- Smoky – There may also be a subtle smoky flavor mixed in, perhaps from smoked paprika or other seasonings.
Overall, the meltdown wings offer an exciting balance of spicy, savory and sweet. The heat level is no joke, but it’s not just pure fire. There are other flavors mixed in to provide depth and prevent the wings from being one-note. The sweet glaze in particular helps balance out the intense heat.
How spicy are the meltdown wings on a scale of 1 to 10?
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the hottest, the meltdown wings rank around an 8 for spice level. For most people, these wings will be on the very hot and fiery end of the spectrum. They definitely carry more heat than traditional Buffalo wings or even Wingstop’s atomic flavor.
Those with a higher tolerance for spice may rate these closer to a 6 or 7. But for an average person without much experience eating super hot wings, the meltdown flavor will likely be near the top end of their personal heat tolerance.
It’s the combination of both a hot seasoning blend and spicy glaze that gives these wings such an intense spicy punch. The cayenne pepper and chili flavors really pack a powerful heat. Just a few wings in, you’ll start to feel that slow burn spreading.
So if you’re looking for mild or medium heat, these aren’t the wings for you. The meltdown flavor is strictly for major spice lovers who crave wings that bring impressive heat along with flavor. They definitely live up to their name in terms of spiciness level.
What types of chile peppers are used in the meltdown seasoning?
Wingstop does not reveal the full details of the proprietary spice blend used for their meltdown wings. However, based on the prominent heat and flavor notes, some of the chile peppers likely include:
- Cayenne – A popular hot pepper that offers a very pungent spiciness and nice fruitiness.
- Chili Peppers – Umbrella term for hot peppers like jalapenos, serranos, and red chiles that bring heat.
- Habanero – Very hot pepper with a fruity, citrusy flavor that can really turn up the heat.
- Ghost Pepper – One of the world’s hottest peppers that could be used sparingly in the blend.
Combining a mix of these chile peppers can create a balanced heat that’s not overwhelming. The cayenne brings that prototypical hot spice, while habanero and ghost pepper add smoky, fruity notes. Chili peppers like jalapenos and serranos also contribute to a well-rounded spicy profile.
How are the meltdown wings prepared?
Wingstop prepares their meltdown wings using a traditional frying method:
- Fresh chicken wings are segmented into drumettes and flats.
- The wings are seasoned with Wingstop’s proprietary dry rub spice blend that likely contains cayenne, garlic, paprika, onion, and other flavors.
- The spiced wings are fried in oil at around 350°F until cooked through and crispy.
- Once fried, the wings are tossed in a sticky, sweet and spicy glaze with chili peppers and hot sauce as the base.
- The glazed wings are tossed until evenly coated and then served hot and fresh.
The meltdown wings are made to order at each Wingstop location. So you can count on the wings being freshly fried and tossed in that spicy glaze when you order them. The combination of crispy fried chicken with the wet glaze helps provide the perfect textural contrast and flavor profile.
What sauces and sides go well with the meltdown wings?
Here are some of the best sauce and side pairings to try with Wingstop’s meltdown wings:
Sauces
- Ranch – A cooling ranch dip is the perfect match for scorching wings. It balances out the heat.
- Blue Cheese – The rich, creamy blue cheese has a nice tang that offsets the spiciness.
- Honey Mustard – The sweetness of honey mustard helps tame the heat a bit.
- Mango Habanero – Double up on the heat and fruitiness with this hot sauce.
Sides
- Celery – The fresh crunch and moisture of celery is a great heat reliever.
- Carrots – For something a little sweeter to counter the spice.
- Bleu Cheese Fries – Fries loaded with bleu cheese crumbles make a indulgent side.
- Corn – The sweetness of corn balances nicely with spicy wings.
Playing around with different sauce and side pairings can lead to some amazing flavor combinations with the meltdown wings. A go-to combo is ranch or blue cheese sauce with crunchy celery and carrot sticks on the side.
Where can you buy the meltdown wings?
Wingstop’s meltdown wings are currently available as a limited-time offering exclusively at Wingstop locations across the United States. They are not sold in grocery stores. To get them, you need to visit a participating Wingstop restaurant and order them off the menu.
You can find your nearest Wingstop by searching on their website. Wingstop has over 1,400 locations across the U.S., so there’s likely one in your area.
The meltdown wings typically cost around $10-12 for 10 wings depending on your location. Wing prices can vary. When ordering, you can choose all meltdown flavor or mix and match them with other classic flavors like Louisiana Rub, Atomic, and Mango Habanero.
Since the meltdown wings are a temporary limited-edition item, it’s unclear how long they’ll be available. Check with your local Wingstop to see if they still have them in stock. With their extreme popularity among spice lovers, they may sell out quick.
Nutrition facts for the meltdown wings
Here are the nutrition facts for 10 wings of the meltdown flavor from Wingstop (with no sauce or seasonings):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 820 |
| Total Fat | 54g |
| Saturated Fat | 10g |
| Sodium | 730mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Protein | 48g |
Keep in mind that adding sauce or seasonings will increase the carb, sodium, and calorie counts. For example, blue cheese dressing adds about 140 calories and 360mg sodium per 2 fl. oz serving. So dipping your wings will pile on additional calories, carbs, and sodium.
In terms of protein, the meltdown wings deliver 48g per 10 wings, making them a high protein food. But they are also high in total and saturated fat, with over half the calories coming from fat.
Are the meltdown wings gluten-free?
Yes, the meltdown wings from Wingstop are gluten-free. Wingstop states that all their wings are gluten-free, meaning the meltdown flavor fits that same guideline. Since wings are naturally gluten-free, the frying oil and seasonings used on the wings just need to be devoid of gluten.
Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should still exercise some caution when eating out. Wings are often cooked in shared fryers, so there can be cross-contact with breaded menu items. But Wingstop claims to use a separate fryer only for their wings.
Some of the sauces and seasonings at Wingstop do contain gluten, like the Louisiana Rub seasoning. So opt for gluten-free dipping sauces like blue cheese or ranch when ordering meltdown wings.
Are there any vegetarian or vegan options?
No, currently there are no vegetarian or vegan options for the meltdown wings from Wingstop. The meltdown flavor is only available on bone-in chicken wings. Wingstop does not offer any plant-based or substitute wing options.
Those following vegetarian or vegan diets won’t be able to enjoy the meltdown wings. Wingstop’s menu is centered almost entirely around chicken wings and boneless wings. The only real vegetarian sides are fries, corn, and potato salad.
Hopefully in the future Wingstop may expand into more plant-based flavors and options. But for now, the meltdown wings remain a non-vegetarian experience.
What’s a good meltdown wing recipe to make at home?
Here is an at-home recipe inspired by Wingstop’s meltdown wings so you can recreate the flavors yourself:
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken wings, tips removed, drummettes and flats separated
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup hot sauce (Frank’s Redhot recommended)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Mix together all spices from cayenne pepper to black pepper in a small bowl.
- Season wings all over with spice mixture until evenly coated.
- Bake wings at 400°F for 30 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Meanwhile, whisk together hot sauce, honey, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until combined and warmed through.
- Toss cooked wings in sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve wings immediately while hot.
This recipe allows you to replicate the meltdown flavor at home. Adjust the cayenne pepper to your desired spice level. Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing and celery sticks.
Where can I find other extreme heat wing flavors?
Here are some other extra spicy wing flavors to try from popular wing chains:
- Buffalo Wild Wings – Blazin’ – Their hottest sauce using a blend of habanero, ghost, and cayenne peppers.
- Pluckers – Nuclear – Features a super hot habanero seasoning blend.
- Atomic Wings – Nuclear Meltdown – As the name implies, it delivers some serious heat.
- Quaker Steak & Lube – Atomic – Their hottest wing sauce made with ghost peppers.
Along with Wingstop’s meltdown, these are some of the hottest wing flavors you’ll find at popular wing joints. They all aim to bring the spice through some combo of habanero, ghost, and cayenne peppers.
Conclusion
Wingstop’s limited-edition meltdown wings certainly live up to their scorching name. Made with a custom blend of hot peppers and seasonings, they bring some intense heat that extreme spice lovers will appreciate. The sweet and sticky glaze provides nice balance to the burn. These wings definitely aren’t for the faint of heart, but fans of atomic and inferno flavors will find these right up their alley. Just be sure to have plenty of ranch, blue cheese, carrots, and celery on hand to cool things down.