Hooters Daytona Sauce Recipe [My New Personal Favorite] ⋆ We Want The Sauce (2024)

There’s more to Hooters than the food. Its… the sauce, of course!

With Daytona sauce being one of my personal favorites that they offer.

Only exclusively available at Hooters restaurants, this sweet, smokey and somewhat spicy condiment is guaranteed to take your meal to the next level; whether you use it for wings, as a dipping sauce, or something else altogether (I share my favorites later, so keep reading).

As for now, I’m here to present you with a complete recipe so that you can whip this up at home, in no time.

What Do You Need To Make Hooters Daytona Sauce?

BBQ Sauce

This is the base of the sauce, providing the classic sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors that are so essential in a BBQ style sauce.

When selecting BBQ sauce, go for one that is smoky and robust to give your Daytona sauce a deep, complex flavor.

Chipotle Pepper Hot Sauce

Brands like Cholula offer a rich, deep heat rather than a sharp, tangy one.

Chipotle hot sauce adds a smoky, spicy kick to the sauce and makes it more layered and interesting.

Chipotle peppers also have a slightly sweet undertone which complements the other ingredients well.

Honey

Honey introduces a natural sweetness that balances the heat from the hot sauce and the tang from the BBQ sauce.

It also contributes to a smoother, more syrup-like consistency.

Opt for raw honey if possible, as it retains more of its natural, complex flavors and health benefits.

Dark Brown Sugar

This type of sugar has a high molasses content, which gives it a deeper, caramel-like flavor compared to regular brown or white sugar.

It adds richness and depth to the sauce, and helps to give it a glossy finish.

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder offers a milder, more evenly distributed garlic flavor than fresh garlic.

It infuses the sauce with a savory, umami flavor that complements the sweetness and heat.

Be sure to store garlic powder in a cool, dark place to maintain its potency.

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce lends a deep, umami, salty flavor that enhances the other flavors in the sauce.

It’s much more than just a salt substitute – it brings its own unique flavor.

If you prefer less salt, consider using low-sodium soy sauce, or tamari for a gluten-free option.

Crushed Red Pepper

This adds a bit of heat to the sauce, but also a touch of fruitiness.

The amount can be adjusted according to taste, but remember that a little goes a long way.

Store your crushed red pepper in a cool, dark place to keep it fresh and potent.

How To Make Daytona Sauce

Step One – Mixing Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, pour in the BBQ sauce, chipotle pepper hot sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic powder, and tamari. Blend all ingredients together until a uniform mixture forms.

Step Two – Heating the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the ingredients until they start to simmer. Make sure all the sugar and honey have completely dissolved and the ingredients have melded well together.

Step Three – Adjusting the Heat: Once your sauce begins to simmer, turn down the heat to low and sprinkle in the crushed Aleppo pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure the pepper is well-incorporated into the sauce.

Step Five – Simmering: Allow your sauce to simmer on low heat for around 15 to 20 minutes. During this time, stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning, and allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to intensify.

Step Six – Cooling: After your sauce reaches the desired consistency, take it off the heat and allow it to cool.

Step Seven – Storage or Usage: Upon cooling, your homemade Daytona sauce is ready to be used immediately, or you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Enjoy this versatile sauce with your preferred dishes!

Expert Tips When Making Hooters Daytona Sauce

Tip #1: Tailoring the Heat

While the recipe calls for a specific amount of hot sauce and crushed red pepper, remember that everyone’s tolerance and preference for heat can vary.

Start with a smaller amount and gradually add more to suit your taste. You can always add more heat, but it’s tough to take it back out once it’s in there.

Tip #2: Enhancing the Sweetness

Just like the heat, the sweetness level can also be adjusted based on personal preference.

If you find that the sauce is not as sweet as you’d like, you can add more honey or dark brown sugar.

Just be sure to add it in small increments, tasting as you go, to avoid over sweetening.

Tip #3: The Importance of Simmering

Simmering the sauce helps all of the flavors to meld together and allows it to thicken to the perfect consistency.

Don’t rush this step – a slow, gentle simmer will give the best results.

Remember to stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the pan.

Tip #4: Letting the Sauce Rest

Although it can be tempting to use the sauce immediately, letting it rest for a while (or even overnight in the fridge) can enhance the flavors.

As the sauce rests, the ingredients have more time to interact and deepen the overall flavor profile.

So, if you can, make the sauce a day ahead of when you plan to use it.

What To Eat Hooters Daytona Sauce With?

Chicken Wings

Chicken wings and Daytona sauce are a match made in heaven. Besides, its how they are served at Hooters!

The smoky, slightly sweet, and spicy sauce perfectly complements the crispy, savory wings.

You can toss freshly fried or baked wings in the sauce, or serve it on the side for dipping.

Chicken Bites

If you prefer boneless chicken, try it with chicken bites or chicken nuggets.

The tender pieces of chicken provide the perfect vehicle for the robust flavors of the Daytona sauce.

Fries

Add an exciting twist to your regular fries by serving them with Daytona sauce.

The sweet and tangy flavors of the sauce will give your fries a unique kick.

It’s an excellent alternative to ketchup or mayonnaise.

Fried Shrimp

Seafood lovers, rejoice!

Daytona sauce pairs excellently with fried shrimp, adding a spicy and sweet note to the mild flavor of the shrimp.

You can either toss the fried shrimp in the sauce or use it as a dipping sauce.

Pork Ribs

Pork ribs slathered in Daytona sauce are a delight for the taste buds.

The sauce’s complex flavor profile works wonderfully with the rich, meaty taste of the ribs, especiall when they’re slow-cooked or barbecued to perfection.