Wingstop Brazilian Citrus Pepper Wings
Crispy fried chicken wings in a tangy citrus butter sauce with peri peri spice. Zingy, zesty, and packed with Brazilian-inspired flavours.
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Why you’ll love it
Wingstop's Brazilian Citrus Pepper Wings deliver an exotic flavour journey combining the bright tang of lime with the fiery kick of peri peri spice. These crispy fried wings are tossed in a buttery citrus sauce that's sweet, spicy, and refreshingly zesty all at once. The inspiration comes from Brazilian cuisine's love of bold citrus flavours and Portuguese peri peri influence, creating a wing that's unlike anything else on the menu. Fresh lime juice and zest provide natural brightness while peri peri seasoning brings heat and depth. A touch of brown sugar balances the acidity and helps create a glossy, flavourful coating. These wings are perfect for adventurous eaters who want something different - they're tangy, spicy, and absolutely addictive.
About the original
Brazilian Citrus Pepper is one of Wingstop's more exotic flavour offerings, inspired by the vibrant food culture of Brazil where citrus fruits play a starring role in countless dishes. The addition of peri peri seasoning nods to Portuguese influence in Brazilian cuisine, creating a unique fusion that's become a fan favourite.
This flavour showcases Wingstop's commitment to global flavours and bold experimentation. The combination of tangy lime and spicy peri peri creates a wing that's refreshing yet fiery, perfect for those who want heat with brightness. It's summer in a wing - vibrant, exciting, and full of life.
This recipe brings Wingstop's Brazilian adventure to your kitchen, with crispy wings and a citrus-peri peri butter that'll transport your taste buds straight to Rio.
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Ingredients
Wings
- 1000 g Chicken wings — cut into drumettes and flats
- 1000 ml Vegetable oil — for deep frying
Coating
- 150 g Plain flour
- 50 g Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Fine sea salt
Brazilian Citrus Butter Sauce
- 80 g Unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp Peri-peri seasoning — low salt if possible
- 0.5 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 0.5 tsp Dried parsley
- 2 piece Lime — zested and juiced
- 1 tbsp Lime juice — additional
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- 2 tbsp Light brown sugar
Method
Pat the chicken wings completely dry with kitchen paper to ensure maximum crispiness when fried.
In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix well to create your coating.
Toss the wings in the coating mixture until evenly covered, then shake off excess flour.
Heat vegetable oil in a large, deep pot or deep fryer to 175°C (350°F). Maintain this temperature throughout frying.
Fry wings in batches for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through to 75°C internal temperature.
Remove wings with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Continue with remaining batches.
While wings are frying, make the sauce. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Add peri peri seasoning, cayenne pepper, dried parsley, lime zest, lime juice, garlic powder, and brown sugar.
Stir the sauce constantly over low heat for about 30-60 seconds until everything is combined and the sugar is dissolved. Do NOT cook longer than 1 minute or it will caramelise into a spicy toffee!
Place hot fried wings in a large bowl. Pour the Brazilian citrus butter sauce over the wings immediately.
Toss wings thoroughly to coat them completely in the citrus-peri peri butter. The sauce should create a glossy, flavourful coating. Serve immediately while hot.
Tips & Variations
- Don't cook the butter sauce for more than 1 minute - the sugar will caramelise quickly and turn into sticky toffee rather than a glossy sauce.
- Use fresh limes for the best flavour - bottled lime juice doesn't have the same brightness or aromatic oils from the zest.
- Zest limes before juicing them - it's much easier when the fruit is whole.
- If you can't find peri peri seasoning, substitute with 1 tablespoon paprika, 1/2 tablespoon cayenne, and 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder.
- For less heat, reduce cayenne to 1/4 teaspoon or omit entirely - the peri peri seasoning provides plenty of spice.
- These wings are fantastic served with extra lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
FAQs
- What is peri peri seasoning?
- Peri peri (also called piri piri) is a spicy seasoning blend featuring African bird's eye chili, garlic, paprika, and herbs. It's Portuguese-African in origin and brings heat with complex flavour. Look for it in the spice aisle or make your own blend.
- Can I use lemon instead of lime?
- Yes, but lime is more authentic to Brazilian cuisine and has a slightly different, more aromatic flavour. If using lemon, the wings will still be delicious but taste slightly different from Wingstop's version.
- Why did my sauce turn into caramel?
- The brown sugar caramelises quickly when heated. Keep the heat very low and stir constantly. Only cook for 30-60 seconds, just until the sugar dissolves - then remove from heat immediately.
- How spicy are these wings?
- They're medium-hot with a citrus brightness that balances the heat. The spice level comes from both peri peri seasoning and cayenne. Reduce cayenne to 1/4 teaspoon for milder wings.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 452 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 27 g |
| Fat | 31 g |
| Carbs | 17 g |
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