Enjoy Buffalo sauce without the wings.

These recipes sauce up dips, snacks with Buffalo kick

Regardless of who anyone is rooting for during the upcoming Super Bowl, we’re all on the same team when it comes to game day food: the fiery and tangy bite of Buffalo sauce must be on the table.

For most of us, that probably means basket after basket of fried chicken wings doused in the stuff. But the possibilities are nearly limitless with Buffalo sauce.

This week we’ve whipped up four dishes that are all deeply infused with the distinct cayenne and vinegar flavor of Buffalo sauce with nary a wing to be found.

First, a note on Buffalo sauce. The classic sauce doused over chicken wings hails from the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, N.Y. In their version, butter and Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce — the gold-standard for giving anything an undeniable Buffalo burn — are married in a 1-to-1 ratio for a heart-stopping and unforgettably fiery flavor. We’ve given all of this week’s recipes the instantly recognizable taste of Buffalo through the very liberal use of Frank’s, but have (for the most part) left the butter in the fridge.

Two of our dishes will feel right at home in South Texas.

The first, Buffalo Grilled Corn on the Cob, is inspired by elotes, the classic Mexican-style street corn on the cob. In our version, the mayonnaise typically brushed on grilled corn is spiked with Frank’s RedHot. The corn is then sprinkled with blue cheese and chives instead of the usual cotija cheese and cilantro. It’s a fun twist on a local favorite that tastes new while feeling familiar.

The second dish with a twist on a South Texas classic is Buffalo Chicken Queso Fundido. Here, shredded chicken breast swims in a creamy bath of Frank’s,

Mexican crema and a few types of cheese. The whole thing gets broiled until brown and gooey in a cast-iron skillet. If you drop this on the middle of the coffee table with a bowl of tortilla chips, expect a frenzied end-zone rush to follow.

Our other two options are more in the spirit of lightening up the Super Bowl spread. That particular feast is typically an artery-blocking binge of greasy wings, chips, beer and other high-calorie foods. Our Buffalo Hummus and Buffalo Cauliflower Bites will give your health-minded guests something that feels indulgent and appropriate without the guilt.

The Buffalo Hummus is very similar to other varieties of hummus made with spicy red peppers blended into the mix, but with the tang of vinegar complementing a familiar lemony acidity. The usual hummus ingredients — canned chickpeas, tahini, olive oil and lemon juice — get a pep talk from a serious glug of Frank’s.

Buffalo cauliflower has become something of a menu staple in restaurants looking to add a vegan option to their menus, but they’re normally far from health food with a thick, deep-fried crust coating the veggies. That’s where our version is different: we use a thin batter and bake the cauliflower for results that have all the flavor of Buffalo wings with very little of the guilt. And that’s a big win all around.

Paul Stephen / Staff Give your Super Bowl spread all the flavor of Buffalo wings in these hot sauce-spiked recipes.