Buffalo Wild Wings is a popular restaurant chain known for its chicken wings and wide variety of sauces. When ordering traditional or boneless wings at Buffalo Wild Wings, customers have the option to choose from 16 signature sauces ranging from sweet BBQ to extremely spicy blazin’ sauce. With so many sauce options to flavor the wings, one common question from customers is: what kind of oil does Buffalo Wild Wings use to fry their famous chicken wings?
Quick Answer
Buffalo Wild Wings fries their traditional bone-in and boneless chicken wings in a blend of canola oil and beef tallow.
More Details on the Oil Used at Buffalo Wild Wings
While many restaurants and fast food chains rely solely on vegetable oils like canola, corn or soybean oil for frying, Buffalo Wild Wings takes a different approach by incorporating beef tallow into their fry oil blend. Tallow is a rendered form of beef fat that remains solid at room temperature.
Using a combination of oils allows Buffalo Wild Wings to utilize the stability and high smoke point of canola oil combined with the unique texture and flavor imparted by beef tallow. The result is juicy chicken wings with a lightly crispy battered exterior that are able to hold up well when sauced or dipped in a variety of flavors.
Benefits of Using a Tallow and Canola Oil Blend
There are a few key advantages to frying in a blended canola oil and beef tallow mixture:
- Higher smoke point – The blend of the two oils allows for a higher cooking temperature than using beef tallow alone.
- Improved texture – Tallow helps contribute to the distinctive crispy outside layer and tender, juicy interior of the wings.
- Enhanced flavor – The beef fat infuses the wings with a rich, meaty flavor that complements the sauces.
- Stability for repeated frying – The oil blend maintains integrity better than a single vegetable oil when used for ongoing frying.
Nutritional Profile of Frying Oils
When looking at the nutritional data of wings fried in different oils, the results are fairly comparable:
| Oil | Fat (g) | Saturated Fat (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canola Oil | 10 | 1 | 0 | 90 |
| Beef Tallow | 13 | 5 | 30 | 117 |
| Canola/Tallow Blend | 12 | 3 | 15 | 108 |
As shown, the canola and tallow blend results in slightly higher fat and saturated fat compared to using 100% canola oil. However, the overall calorie count is quite similar. The beef tallow contributes small amounts of cholesterol not found in the vegetable oil. So while the oil blend changes the flavor and texture, it does not drastically increase the wings’ calories or fat grams compared to frying in solely canola oil.
Frying Procedure at Buffalo Wild Wings
To achieve the signature taste and texture of their fried wings, Buffalo Wild Wings uses the following frying method:
- Wings are seasoned with a proprietary blend of spices and coated in a thin layer of flour-based batter.
- The oil blend of canola and beef tallow is heated to 350°F in a deep fryer.
- Batched of wings are lowered into the hot oil and cooked for 12-14 minutes, flipping occasionally.
- The wings are removed once golden brown and crispy. They are held in a warming tray until ordered.
- Fried wings are then tossed in a sauce or dry rub when ordered tableside.
This process allows Buffalo Wild Wings to achieve the perfect balance of a crispy fried exterior that gives way to a juicy, tender interior. The floured batter also helps the signature sauces adhere well to each wing.
Is the Oil Used at Buffalo Wild Wings Healthy?
While fried foods are rarely considered a healthy option, Buffalo Wild Wings aims to use an oil blend that provides great flavor and texture with a slightly improved nutritional profile compared to alternatives. However, those looking to eat healthier should consider ordering the wings grilled, which eliminates the added fats from frying entirely.
Comparison of Fried Wings from Other Chains
Here is an overview of the frying oils used at some other popular wing chains:
| Restaurant | Frying Oil |
|---|---|
| Wingstop | 100% canola oil |
| Pluckers | Peanut oil |
| Atomic Wings | Soybean oil |
| Wing Zone | Trans fat free canola blend |
| Salt & Pepper Wings | Palm oil |
Buffalo Wild Wings stands apart from competitors by incorporating tallow for a unique flavor and texture. This shows the effort they put into perfecting their wings using a tailored blend of frying oils.
Future Changes to Frying Oil at Buffalo Wild Wings
While Buffalo Wild Wings plans to stick with their signature canola and beef tallow oil blend for traditional bone-in wings, they are exploring alternative oils for their boneless wings:
- Avocado oil – Has a high smoke point and mild flavor well suited for boneless wings.
- Sunflower oil – A monounsaturated oil that is light and healthy for frying.
- Non-GMO canola oil – More sustainable and environmentally friendly option.
By expanding their oil options for boneless wings, Buffalo Wild Wings can cater to varying consumer preferences. However, true wing enthusiasts agree that the canola and tallow combo is tough to beat when it comes to full-flavored bone-in wings.
Conclusion
Buffalo Wild Wings has found the perfect oil blend for cooking up their famous fried chicken wings. By frying in a proprietary mixture of canola oil and beef tallow heated to 350°F, they are able to achieve ideal texture, flavor, and integrity for repeat frying batches. The addition of tallow offers benefits over solely using a vegetable oil, providing a more stable, meaty-flavored product. Competitors may opt for healthier oil choices, but Buffalo Wild Wings sticks to their signature tallow and canola blend to highlight the indulgent, craveable qualities that set their wings apart from the rest.