How Many Calories Are in BWW Wings and Other Menu Items?

December 9, 2025 •

3 min read

A 6-count of plain traditional wings at Buffalo Wild Wings contains 430 calories, while a similar portion of plain boneless wings contains 360 calories. However, the calorie count for BWW meals can vary dramatically based on the type of wing, sauce, and additional sides you choose. This comprehensive guide provides the key nutritional information you need to make healthier decisions without sacrificing flavor.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the caloric content and nutritional values of various Buffalo Wild Wings menu items, including traditional and boneless wings, popular sauces, dry seasonings, and healthier alternatives like naked tenders and salads. It highlights how ingredients and portion sizes can significantly impact the total calorie count and offers tips for more health-conscious ordering.

Key Points

Plain Wings Calorie Base: A 6-count of plain traditional wings is 430 calories, while plain boneless wings are 360 calories.
Sauces vs. Dry Rubs: Sauces, like Lemon Pepper (360 cal/side) or Parmesan Garlic (260 cal/side), add significant calories, whereas dry rubs like Desert Heat are only 5 calories per serving.
Healthier Alternatives: Opt for Naked Tenders (160 cal/3-count) or a Garden Side Salad (90 calories) to keep your meal lighter.
High-Calorie Traps: Appetizers such as the House Sampler (2,410 calories) and high-fat burgers like the Cheese Curd Bacon Burger (1,210 calories) can add up quickly.
Customization for Calorie Control: Ordering sauces on the side and swapping fried sides for healthier options like carrot and celery sticks (35 calories) can dramatically reduce your meal's total calorie count.

BWW Calorie Breakdown: Wings, Sauces, and Sides

The calories in your Buffalo Wild Wings order are determined by a combination of factors. The preparation style of the chicken (traditional bone-in vs. boneless), the size of your order, and, most importantly, the sauce or dry rub you choose all play a significant role in the final nutritional impact. For example, dry seasonings generally add far fewer calories than their saucy counterparts.

Traditional Wings vs. Boneless Wings

The base calories for the wings themselves are a good starting point. A small (6-count) order of plain traditional wings comes in at 430 calories, with zero carbohydrates. In contrast, the same size order of plain boneless wings is slightly lower at 360 calories, but it does contain 20 grams of carbohydrates from the breading. This initial difference is magnified by the sauces and rubs.

Traditional Wings (6-count, plain): 430 calories
Boneless Wings (6-count, plain): 360 calories
Naked Tenders (3-count): 160 calories (a much lower-calorie option)

The Impact of BWW Sauces and Dry Rubs

The signature BWW sauces are where the calorie count can skyrocket. Sauces are rich in sugar and fat, adding hundreds of calories to your meal. Dry rubs, on the other hand, add a negligible amount of calories. It is crucial to remember these values are per serving of sauce, and larger orders will use more.


Sauce / Dry Rub	Calories (per side serving)	Notes
Parmesan Garlic	260	One of the highest calorie options due to fat.
Lemon Pepper Sauce	360	The highest calorie sauce option.
Thai Curry Sauce	290	Another high-calorie, fat-rich sauce.
Asian Zing® Sauce	170	Higher in sugar content.
Blazin'® Carolina Reaper	60	One of the lower-calorie sauce options.
Wild® Sauce	100	Moderate calorie option.
Lemon Pepper Dry Rub	5	Adds minimal calories and fat.
Desert Heat® Dry Rub	5	Also a very low-calorie choice.

Navigating the Rest of the BWW Menu

Beyond the wings, other menu items show a wide range in calorie counts. Appetizers, in particular, can pack a punch. For instance, a regular order of French Fries is 840 calories, while the Cheddar Cheese Curds are 1310 calories. The good news is that there are healthier options if you know where to look. Grilled chicken substitutes can drastically cut down on fat and calories, as can selecting certain sides and avoiding high-fat dressings.

Appetizers: Many appetizers are deep-fried and have high calorie counts. The House Sampler, for example, is 2,410 calories. For a lighter choice, chips and salsa are 860 calories. The vegetable-based option of carrots and celery is only 35 calories for a sticks side.
Burgers and Sandwiches: The burgers and sandwiches often contain high-calorie proteins, cheese, and fatty toppings. The Cheese Curd Bacon Burger is an astonishing 1,210 calories before fries. A more balanced option could be the Southwestern Black Bean Burger patty alone, which has 200 calories. You can also opt for a grilled chicken breast, which is 90 calories, instead of a hand-breaded one at 310 calories.
Salads: Even with salads, the toppings and dressing can add significant calories. The Chopped Cobb Salad with Ranch dressing is 860 calories. To reduce the calorie and fat content, choose a Garden Side Salad (90 calories) and ask for a vinaigrette dressing on the side.

Making Smarter Choices at BWW

For those looking to enjoy a meal at Buffalo Wild Wings without overindulging, making strategic menu swaps is key. Dry rubs offer a flavorful alternative to sauces without the added sugar and fat. Ordering your sauce on the side allows for better portion control, giving you the taste without drenching your meal in calories. Swapping fried sides for a side salad or the carrot and celery sticks is another simple way to save calories. For a protein-packed, lower-calorie meal, consider ordering the Naked Tenders, which are 160 calories for a 3-count. Sharing larger, high-calorie items with a companion can also help manage portion sizes. By being aware of your choices, it is possible to enjoy a BWW meal that aligns with your health goals. The official Buffalo Wild Wings nutrition guide is a great resource for precise figures.

Conclusion

To determine how many calories are in BWW, you must look beyond the base protein and consider the type, size, and added sauces or rubs. While some menu items are significantly high in calories, others, such as Naked Tenders or dry-rubbed wings, offer more moderate options. Using the official nutrition information and practicing moderation with sauces and sides can help you control your calorie intake while still enjoying your meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 6-count of plain traditional wings contains 430 calories, while a plain 6-count of boneless wings contains 360 calories. The difference primarily comes from the boneless wings having breading and a different preparation, though both increase with added sauces.

Dry rubs like Lemon Pepper, Desert Heat, and Buffalo Seasoning are the lowest in calories, adding only 5 calories per serving. Among the sauces, the Blazin'® Carolina Reaper and Medium sauces are among the lowest, at 60 calories per side serving.

Yes, Naked Tenders are one of the healthiest and lowest-calorie protein options. A 3-count has just 160 calories and is high in protein, especially when ordered without added sauce.

To reduce calories, choose dry rubs instead of high-sugar or fat sauces, opt for Naked Tenders or traditional wings without sauce, and select a side of carrots and celery over fries or other fried appetizers.

A 10-count of plain traditional wings has 720 calories, and a 10-count of plain boneless wings has 610 calories. Sauces or rubs would add to this count.

The Cheese Curd Bacon Burger is one of the highest-calorie options on the menu, clocking in at 1,210 calories before any sides.

The official Buffalo Wild Wings website provides comprehensive nutrition and allergen guides. You can find links to these resources in the article content.