Buffalo Dipping Sauce: Easy, Spicy, and Made in Minutes

By:

Sarah

May 24, 2025

Buffalo dipping sauce served with celery and chicken

The Flavor We Keep Coming Back To

I still remember the first time I made buffalo dipping sauce from scratch. I was in the middle of prepping wings, only to realize I had no store-bought bottle in the fridge. So, I reached for some Franks Red Hot, butter, and garlic powder—gave it a quick stir over heat—and just like that, I had something better than anything from a jar.

Now this buffalo dipping sauce is a staple in our kitchen. Whether it’s for wings, wraps, or even veggie trays, it adds that perfect tangy heat that makes you want another bite.

What I love most? It takes 5 minutes and uses ingredients we always have on hand. No preservatives, no fillers—just bold flavor that makes everything better. If you’re already a fan of our Franks Red Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip, this sauce is the heart of that recipe, and so many others.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Buffalo dipping sauce served with celery and chicken

Buffalo Dipping Sauce: Easy, Spicy, and Made in Minutes


  • Author: Sarah
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

A bold, creamy 3-ingredient buffalo dipping sauce made with Franks Red Hot. Ready in 10 minutes.


Ingredients

Scale

½ cup Franks Red Hot sauce

¼ cup unsalted butter

½ teaspoon garlic powder


Instructions

1. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat.

2. Add Franks Red Hot sauce and garlic powder.

3. Whisk until smooth and warm.

4. Serve immediately or store in fridge up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Customize with a splash of vinegar for tang or honey for sweetness.

Use as a dip, drizzle, or base for buffalo chicken dip.

Freezes well in small portions for future use.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Condiment
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
  • Calories: 45
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 360mg
  • Fat: 4g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 0g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: buffalo dipping sauce, hot sauce, spicy dip

Ingredients & How to Make It

What Is Buffalo Sauce Made Of?

Buffalo dipping sauce is as simple as it is legendary. At its core, it’s a blend of three ingredients: hot sauce, melted butter, and garlic powder. That’s it. This combo creates the creamy, spicy, tangy kick that defines everything from wings to dips.

The Three Key Ingredients

  • Franks Red Hot sauce – The original and still the favorite for that authentic buffalo flavor.
  • Unsalted butter – It gives the sauce richness and smooths out the heat.
  • Garlic powder – Just a pinch deepens the flavor without overwhelming it.
Ingredients for buffalo dipping sauce
Simple 3-ingredient base for buffalo dipping sauce

Making buffalo dipping sauce is easy: just melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat, stir in the Franks and garlic powder, and whisk until smooth and combined.

You can tweak it depending on what you’re using it for. Want it tangier? Add a splash of vinegar. Prefer a thicker dip-style version? Stir in a spoonful of mayo or Greek yogurt. That’s the beauty of buffalo dipping sauce—it’s totally customizable.

And if you’re ready to turn it into a full dip, just check out our Cottage Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip where buffalo sauce meets creamy, high-protein goodness.

From Sauce to Dip

Buffalo dipping sauce isn’t just for wings—it’s the base of every great buffalo chicken dip. Once you’ve got your sauce made, turning it into a creamy, crowd-pleasing dip is just a few ingredients away.

To build a dip, start with your buffalo sauce. Then mix in something creamy—like cream cheese, ranch dressing, or even blended cottage cheese. Add shredded chicken, a bit of cheddar, and bake until it’s bubbly and golden.

One of our favorite ways to do this is in our High Protein Buffalo Chicken Dip, where we blend cottage cheese and Greek yogurt into the sauce for a lighter, protein-rich version. You get all the flavor, but none of the guilt.

If you want a bold, classic version that sticks closer to the traditional route, try our Franks Red Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip. It’s thick, spicy, and made to disappear fast—perfect for game day or a potluck.

Whether you’re making a dip for the big game or a quick lunch wrap, it all starts with good buffalo dipping sauce. That spicy, buttery base pulls everything together.

Creative Ways to Use Buffalo Dipping Sauce

Buffalo dipping sauce isn’t just for chicken wings. Once you have a jar of it in your fridge, you’ll start finding excuses to drizzle, dip, and spoon it onto just about everything.

Here are a few easy, unexpected ways we love using buffalo sauce around our kitchen:

  • Buffalo Roasted Veggies – Toss cauliflower, sweet potatoes, or Brussels sprouts in a little olive oil and buffalo sauce before roasting.
  • Buffalo Grilled Cheese – Spread buffalo dipping sauce inside your sandwich before grilling for an extra punch.
  • Buffalo Egg Wraps – Add a spoonful to scrambled eggs and roll it up in a tortilla for a spicy breakfast.
  • Buffalo Mayo or Yogurt – Stir a spoon of the sauce into mayo or Greek yogurt for a zippy sandwich spread or burger topping.
  • Buffalo Grain Bowls – Drizzle it over quinoa bowls loaded with chicken, avocado, and greens.

The sauce’s tangy heat balances beautifully with creamy, crunchy, or rich foods—making it one of the most versatile condiments we’ve ever made.

If you haven’t yet, try it as a drizzle over our Cottage Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip or mix a little into your next batch of mashed potatoes. Once you start thinking outside the wing, there’s no going back.

How to Store and Customize Buffalo Dipping Sauce

One of the best things about buffalo dipping sauce? You can make a batch in five minutes, store it for weeks, and pull it out anytime your meal needs a little extra flavor.

How to Store It

Once your buffalo dipping sauce has cooled, pour it into a glass jar or airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Before each use, give it a stir—or reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave to bring back the smooth texture.

Want to freeze it? You can. Just make sure it’s fully cooled first. Freeze in small containers, then thaw in the fridge and whisk it back to life before serving.

Customizing Your Sauce

Every kitchen has its own take on buffalo dipping sauce, and you can totally make it your own. Here’s how to adjust it:

  • Milder: Use more butter or add a spoonful of sour cream.
  • Tangier: Add a splash of white vinegar or lemon juice.
  • Sweeter: Mix in a little honey or brown sugar.
  • Creamier: Stir in a bit of mayo or ranch for a dipping sauce that doubles as a spread.
Serving buffalo dipping sauce with tenders and fries
Perfect for dipping, drizzling, or smothering your favorites

Whether you’re whipping it up for buffalo chicken dip or saving it for the week ahead, this sauce is one of the easiest ways to boost flavor fast.

FAQs About Buffalo Dipping Sauce

What is Buffalo sauce made of?
Buffalo sauce is a blend of hot sauce (usually Franks Red Hot), melted butter, and sometimes garlic powder or vinegar. This combination creates the creamy, tangy heat we all love in buffalo dipping sauce.

What are the three ingredients in Buffalo sauce?
The classic buffalo dipping sauce recipe uses just three ingredients: Franks Red Hot sauce, unsalted butter, and garlic powder. That’s all it takes to make the bold, zesty flavor that works with everything.

What is buffalo dip made of?
Buffalo dip builds on buffalo dipping sauce by adding creamy elements like cream cheese, ranch dressing, and shredded chicken. It’s baked until bubbly and is perfect for scooping with chips or veggies.

What sauce to use for buffalo chicken dip?
Start with a good buffalo dipping sauce—either homemade or store-bought Franks. That’s the flavor base. Then blend it with your creamy ingredients to create the perfect buffalo chicken dip.

Conclusion

Buffalo dipping sauce is one of those recipes that’s so simple, you wonder why you ever bought the bottled stuff. With just hot sauce, butter, and a little seasoning, you can make a bold, creamy dip that works on everything from wings to wraps.

Once you’ve made your own buffalo dipping sauce, you’ll start finding new ways to use it all week long. It’s quick to whip up, easy to store, and adds serious flavor to every meal.

If you love easy, flavor-packed recipes like this one, be sure to follow us on Pinterest @RecipesFaza for more kitchen inspiration straight from our home to yours.

Readers Love These Recipes!

  • High protein banana bread with cottage cheese on marble
    High Protein Banana Bread with Cottage Cheese – Moist & Easy
  • Cottage Cheese Banana Bread Sliced
    Cottage Cheese Banana Bread and How It Came to Be
  • creamy-lasagna-soup-without-ricotta-featured.webp
    Creamy Lasagna Soup Without Ricotta – Cozy, Cheesy & Fuss-Free

1 thought on “Buffalo Dipping Sauce: Easy, Spicy, and Made in Minutes”

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating