Popeyes Spicy Mayonnaise – Chicken Sandwich Sauce

This homemade Popeyes spicy mayonnaise is perfect for adding to your chicken sandwiches, dipping your fries, and spreading on your burgers. It’s everything you’ve been missing – tangy, sweet, and with just the right amount of spiciness.

Jump to Recipe

Do you know what makes the famous Popeyes chicken sandwiches so next level delicious? It’s not just the buttermilk-marinated crispy fried chicken or its tangy pickles. The secret is the spicy mayonnaise spread on the soft brioche buns. 

And guess what? You can make it at home in five minutes using ingredients you already have.

Forget about regular, plain mayonnaise. Once you taste this spicy, creamy mayonnaise, you’ll want to dip everything in it. You can take your regular mayonnaise and make it even better with this recipe.

And the best part? You can store this fantastic sauce in the refrigerator for two to three weeks, so you’ll have plenty to enjoy whenever the mood strikes.

How to Make Popeyes Spicy Mayonnaise

This copycat recipe is one of the simplest spreads to make at home. It really complements a classic chicken sandwich. Most ingredients are already in your pantry.

Ingredients You Need

• Mayonnaise – Use storebought mayonnaise or make it at home by blending egg yolk and a neutral-tasting oil.
• Ground cayenne pepper 
• Paprika powder – Sweet or smoked
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Ground cumin
• Salt
• White vinegar

Ingredient Substitutions

Even though this is such a simple recipe, you might be missing one of the key ingredients. Review the recommendations here for quick and clever substitutions.

Here are suggested substitutions:

• Mayonnaise – Classic mayonnaise can be substituted with Greek yogurt or sour cream. Both offer a similarly creamy texture and tangy flavor.
• Ground cayenne pepper – Swap for chili powder, red pepper flakes, or in a pinch, black pepper.
• Paprika powder – Any other mild chili powder.
• Onion powder – You can use a tablespoon of finely minced onions or shallots instead. However, the addition of fresh ingredients can cause the mayonnaise to spoil more quickly.
• Garlic powder – You can substitute one-fourth teaspoon of garlic powder with an equal amount of dry garlic flakes or one clove of minced garlic.
• Ground cumin – Make ground cumin by toasting and roughly pounding cumin seeds in a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder.
• White vinegar – Substitute with apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or pickle juice. Also, lemon juice or, in a pinch, lime juice.

You can substitute the individual cayenne pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin with two teaspoons of your favorite taco seasoning or cajun seasoning.

I buy organic herbs in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs because they have great selection, quality, and customer service. They have been a favorite resource of mine for herbs, tea, DIY bath and body ingredients, and essential oils for over a decade.

This is a spicy sauce. However, you can adjust the spice level per your taste buds and personal preferences.

Variations

Want to add your spin? Make these fun variations and stretch this recipe into more delightful renditions.

Try these fun variations ideas:

• Smoked – Use smoked paprika or smoked chipotle powder chili
• Shortcut version – Add hot sauce like sriracha or Frank’s hot sauce instead of the dry spices.
• Tangier version – Add chopped-up pickle, jalapenos, or half a tablespoon of lemon juice.
• Sweet and spicy mayonnaise – Add a small spoon of honey or maple syrup to balance the heat.
• Herb-infused – Mix in one-half tablespoon of freshly minced parsley or chives.
• Curry mayonnaise – Add one teaspoon of curry powder while adding the other spices and blend well.

Step-By-Step Instructions

This homemade spicy mayo has a medium heat level, which means it has a moderate level of spiciness.

If I make it for fried chicken sandwiches, I usually like the sauce spicy, with a nice kick. However, if you plan on using it for dipping french fries and chips, you can reduce the ground cayenne powder to half a teaspoon.

Follow these simple directions, and you can’t go wrong!

Step 1: Mix

Add the mayonnaise to a mixing bowl.

Add all the other ingredients – ground cayenne, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, salt, and vinegar. 

Whisk everything together.

Step 2: Taste

Taste and adjust to your preferred level of spicy.

If it’s too hot, dilute it with more mayonnaise or add a teaspoon of sugar.

For best results, cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving.

Expert Tips

• Taste and adjust! I always recommend tasting while cooking so you can get to know the dish and adjust the seasoning as you like best. 
• Start with high-quality mayonnaise – The main ingredient in this recipe is mayonnaise, so choose a high-quality brand or make your own at home. Mayonnaise becomes softer and more pliable at room temperature, making it easier to mix evenly.
• Avoid lumps – While mixing, sprinkle the spices and seasonings over top of the mayonnaise instead of dumping them all in a single pile. This will help avoid lumps.
• Allow flavors to meld: For best results, let your spicy mayonnaise chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before using.

How to Store This Recipe

I like to store this spicy mayo sauce in a transparent airtight container or recycled glass bottle. That way, I know how much is left and can keep an eye on it so it doesn’t go bad.

This next level sauce lasts three to four weeks when kept in the refrigerator.

Can I make Spicy Mayonnaise ahead of time?

Absolutely. I like to make this at least 15 minutes before you are serving so that all the flavors have time to mix.

Since it can last a bit in the refrigerator, you can make it a couple of days before using it.

Can I freeze Spicy Mayonnaise?

I don’t recommend freezing this, as it takes only five minutes to make. Freezing will also change the texture of the mayonnaise, especially when made at home.

What to serve with Popeyes Spicy Mayonnaise

Beyond spreading it on the toasted brioche bun to make a spicy chicken sandwich like the one from Popeyes, you can serve, slather, and dip the sauce in many more ways.

• DIY Popeyes chicken sandwich – Spread the spicy mayonnaise generously over a buttery brioche bun or sesame seed buns. Deep fry the skinless chicken breasts marinated in a buttermilk mixture in hot oil. Place the crispy fried juicy chicken and a few crunchy pickles on the bun.
• Popeyes Blackened Chicken Tenders – This copycat Popeyes blackened chicken tenders will taste amazing dipped in spicy mayonnaise.
• Air fryer zucchini fries – This addictive, easy-to-make air fryer zucchini fries which combines fresh zucchini and parmesan is the perfect dipper for spicy mayo.
• Hot dogs served with Popeyes Coleslaw for a complete meal.
• Swap regular mayo for spicy mayonnaise in salads like potato salad, egg salads, and tuna salads.
• Serve as a dip for french fries and chicken wings.
• As a sandwich spread on a classic BLT or a ham sandwich.

More Easy Homemade Sauces To Try

Here are more sauces and dips for you to try.

• McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce 
• Lawson’s Copycat Chip Dip
• 3 Ingredient Easy Onion Dip
• 4-Ingredient Guacamole
• Blackened Ranch Sauce

If you make this Popeyes spicy mayonnaise, please leave a review. I appreciate each 5-star rating and review comment!