36 Bang-Bang Recipes That Turn Up the Heat

We love big-time spicy chicken wings. I do a caramel sauce to balance the heat, but you could also glaze the wings with melted brown sugar. —Nuraniza Salazar, Westminster, Colorado

I love to share my cooking, and this hearty meal-in-one has gotten a tasty reputation around town. People have actually approached me in public to ask for the recipe. —Laurie Sledge, Brandon, Mississippi

Dump everything in a slow cooker and watch these spicy-sweet sliders become an instant party time classic. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

With cayenne pepper and hot sauce (both optional), this delicious dip doubles up on the heat. Chock-full of crabmeat, this appetizer feels special, yet it only takes minutes to prepare. —Carol Forcum, Marion, Illinois

My family loves this chicken recipe. The coating keeps the chicken nice and moist, and with the taste enhanced by marinating, the result is delicious. —Stephanie Otten, Byron Center, Michigan

My husband loves the spicy Thai flavors in this speedy, simple dish and often breaks out the chopsticks for a more immersive experience. — Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas

This cross between a soup and a stew fits the meatless Monday bill quite nicely. It warms you right up, and satisfies without leaving you overstuffed.—Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas

To me, nothing sparks up a meal more than the smoky flavor of roasted green chilies. This is a quick and easy recipe, and I usually have the ingredients on hand, so when I don’t know what to fix for dinner, I make this quiche. —Linda Miritello, Mesa, Arizona

One time when making sloppy joes, I wanted mine spicy, so I doused it in hot sauce. After that, my mind went wild and I made it Buffalo-chicken style with ground chicken, diced celery and blue cheese crumbles. I’ve been making it this way ever since. —Jennifer Nielson, Spanish Fork, Utah

This dish combines the hearty, spicy flavors of my beloved slow-cooker short ribs with my all-time favorite comfort food: fries and gravy. With a little prep in the morning, it’s just about ready when I come home from work (plus, the kitchen smells amazing!). If you are sensitive to spice, reduce the amount of Sriracha chili sauce. —Erin DeWitt, Long Beach, California

These little sliders deliver big Buffalo chicken flavor without the messiness of wings. The spicy-sweet meatballs are a hit on game day with kids and adults alike. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

I wanted to find a way to use pineapple salsa in a recipe. I came up with this super simple, delicious and quick dish! —Erin Schillo, Northfield, Ohio

Think of this stir-fry as your chance to play with heat and spice. I balance the beef with coconut milk and a spritz of lime. —Joy Zacharia, Clearwater, Florida

Serve my fiery hot wings on game day or any time friends and family gather. If you don’t like a ton of sweetness, add the honey slowly and taste as you go. —Logan Holser, Clarkston, Michigan

I love healthy living and tilapia is a staple in my kitchen. Fresh vegetables are always good but take more prep time, so I use boil-in-bag rice for a shortcut. —Rosalin Johnson, Tupelo, Mississippi

I’m a small-business owner, so most of my recipes are a result of not having time to run to the store, and doing with what’s on hand. Here’s a perfect example. Dip these wedges in anything. —Dana Alexander, Lebanon, Missouri

I like to serve these Southern, slightly spicy and flavorful burgers with sweet potato fries. —Michele Claybrook-Lucas, Media, Pennsylvania

Slow cooker pork with green chilies always makes my hungry family happy. Getting creative with the leftovers is part of the fun. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma

When this homemade ketchup is bubbling on the stove, the aroma takes me back to childhood. One taste and I’m home again. —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii

Save yourself a trip to the store and check the fridge first. Chicken turns sweet and hot when you pull out the chili sauce, mustard and apricot preserves. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California

We’ve made these tacos with corn and flour tortillas, but naan flatbread is our favorite. Set out toppings and let people make their own. —Jessie Grearson-Sapat, Falmouth, Maine

I love a good Bloody Mary, which inspired this recipe. The soup packs a spicy punch, and it’ll warm you right up on a chilly day. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

In the Midwest, Bloody Marys garnished with meats, cheeses and veggies are works of art. My beverage has skewers of bratwurst, cheese curds and dill pickles. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

My family has always enjoyed Thai food, but we really love chicken curry. Since we have a two-year-old son, I wanted to make something that he would eat. Since his favorite food is chicken strips, I started making the strips with some curry flavor. Now my family prefers these even more than my chicken curry. —Daniel Fox, Queen Creek, Arizona

These crunchy peanuts have a caramel-like coating, and hot sauce gives them a touch of heat. They make a tasty snack any time of day. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

I first made this peppery beef with a recipe from my boss, who lived in Korea in the 1950s. Freeze the ribeyes and slicing’s a cinch. —Linda McCane, Chesapeake, Virginia

Used as a dip or a sauce on burgers, chicken or pork, this creamy queso is spiced with chilies, chipotle peppers and hot pepper sauce. —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California

Store-bought rotisserie chicken makes this spicy chili easy, but you could also cook your own. We like it with sour cream, green onions, cheese or salsa on top. —Emmajean Anderson, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

A tour guide in New Orleans gave me this recipe. It’s so easy to prepare, and the deliciously authentic Cajun flavors make it one of my favorite recipes. —Donna Lamano, Olathe, Kansas

My hot wings are a foolproof way to curry a little favor with the men in my life. Thanks to tons of sweet (orange marmalade) and hot (Sriracha) flavors bursting through with every bite, these wings are a winner on game day—or any day of the week. —Jennifer Locklin, Cypress, Texas

Need a quick appetizer? All you need is a can of refried beans, jalapeno pepper, seasonings and cheese. Serve with tortilla chips on the side for scooping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

When this homemade ketchup is bubbling on the stove, the aroma takes me back to childhood. One taste and I’m home again. —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii

Your guests are sure to get a kick out of these flavorful turkey legs. For less spicy flavor, reduce the amount of hot sauce and inject 1/2 ounce into each leg. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

This slightly spicy dip cleverly captures the flavor of buffalo chicken wings. Using canned chicken adds to the convenience. —Allyson, DiLascio, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania

This spicy soup, featuring shrimp, crabmeat and tomatoes, gets its zip from hot pepper sauce and cayenne pepper. It’s easy to prepare and dresses up any meal. Of all the recipes I’ve borrowed from my mom, this soup is the one that I’ve made most often. —Kevin Weeks, North Palm Beach, Florida

Tomatoes and green chiles give color and zip to this extra-cheesy egg bake. It’s a favorite for breakfast or brunch but it can be enjoyed for lunch or supper, too. —Mary Steiner, West Bend, Wisconsin