Big Game Wing Hacks

The Super Bowl is known as one of the biggest sporting events held in the United States and pulls in views and fans from around the globe! It’s also known for tailgate party foods! Huge parties may be off the plate for many due to the way things have gone in 2020 and now into 2021 – but there’s no reason you can’t please your game day tastebuds at home!

Chicken wings are probably the most recognized traditional game day foods! They fit right into a countertop covered with assorted chips, dips, and game-day snacks. The trick is adding your own twist to your recipes. Here are a few hacks for upping your Big Game wings as well as some Super Bowl Trivia questions.

Question: How many chicken wings are consumed on Super Bowl Sunday?
Answer: 1.3 billion

The BBQ Wing Sauce Hack

You can melt butter, add hot sauce for a traditional wing sauce. And, you can whip up a batch of your own BBQ sauce for your wing sauce. You can even combine the two flavor styles!

Or, grab a bottle of spicy wing sauce and a bottle of barbecue sauce from the store – combine the two – add a splash of citrus juice and you have an almost instant Spicy BBQ Citrus Wing sauce. Here are some additional flavor boosters you can add to your wing sauce.

• A splash of your favorite craft beer
• A splash of your favorite whiskey or bourbon
• Other juices such as apple, pineapple, peach

Question: How much do Americans spend on beer for Super Bowl Sunday?
Answer: $1.3 billion

The Marmalade Glazed Wing Hack

Are you looking for a glazed style wing? How about going the marmalade route? Open a jar of marmalade or preserves – maybe even jelly, and warm! I like using apricot or peach, but it really depends on your taste buds.

Easy Citrus Spicy Wing Sauce

Here’s a simple recipe that’s packed with flavor that only uses four ingredients.

• 1 cup of BBQ Sauce
• 1/2 cup Hot Sauce
• 1/2 cup orange juice, or try splashes of pineapple juice!
• 1/2 stick butter

Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over warm heat. Allow the sauce to reduce and thicken.

Question: What teams haven’t appeared in a single Super Bowl?
Answer: Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars

The Grill/Smoker to Air Fryer Hack

Do you want the AWESOME flavor that your grill or smoker offers as well as the crispy crunch that comes from cooking in an air fryer? No problem, do both! Grill your wings as normal on your grill or smoke them on your smoker. Just be sure to not overcook them. I remove my wings from the grill when my BBQ Dragon thermometer reads just under 165 degrees.

Next, toss them in the air fryer for about five minutes at 400 degrees. Just long enough to crisp up the skin! There is a real chance of overcooking – so try a few at a time to get the timing right for your air fryer.

• Coat the wings with sauce before transferring to the air fryer if desired
• Starting with raw chicken wings in the fryer? Try this – dust lightly with corn starch for extra crispy wings.

Question: How much did a ticket to the very first Super Bowl cost?
Answer: $12

Author Bio: Kent Whitaker, also known as “The Deck Chef,” is an award-winning culinary writer and cookbook author. He’s also penned Young Reader, NASCAR, and History titles. The former winner of the Emeril Live Food Network Barbecue Contest also covers football, motorsports, and bass fishing. Kent currently lives in East Tennessee with his wife, son, and a couple of dogs that love when he fires up the smoker or grill. You can reach out to Kent at www.thedeckchef.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Super Bowl Trivia: via Parade.com