Buffalo Chicken Bombs
Let’s talk about party food for a second. There’s the sad, forgotten veggie tray, the predictable bowl of chips, and then there’s the dish that people talk about for weeks.
The one that disappears in ten minutes flat. The one you have to make a double batch of “just in case.”
A few years ago, I brought these Buffalo Chicken Bombs to a friend’s game day party. I set the plate down on the coffee table and turned around to grab a drink. By the time I turned back, half of them were gone.
These aren’t just appetizers; they’re an event. Each one is a perfect little package of flaky, buttery dough wrapped around a core of creamy, spicy, cheesy buffalo chicken filling. Biting into one is a full-on flavor explosion.
They look impressive, like you spent all day in the kitchen, but the secret is they are ridiculously easy to make. This is the recipe that will make you a legend among your friends.
What You’ll Need
The ingredients are simple and easy to find at any grocery store. No need for a special trip to a gourmet shop for this one.
- Canned Biscuit Dough: One 16.3-ounce can of large refrigerated biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands!).
- Cooked Chicken: 2 cups of shredded or finely diced cooked chicken. Rotisserie chicken is a huge time-saver here.
- Cream Cheese: 8 ounces of full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature. This is crucial for a creamy filling.
- Buffalo Sauce: 1/2 cup of your favorite buffalo wing sauce (like Frank’s RedHot). You can add more if you love extra heat.
- Shredded Cheese: 1 cup of shredded cheddar or a Monterey Jack blend.
- Green Onions: 2 tablespoons of finely chopped green onions.
- Butter: 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted.
- Garlic Powder: 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Dipping Sauce: Ranch or blue cheese dressing for serving.
Recipe at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview to help you plan your time in the kitchen.
| Detail | Time / Amount |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Total Time | 30-35 minutes |
| Servings | 8 bombs |
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Bombs: Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have perfect, golden-brown bombs ready in no time.
Step 1: Prep Your Station
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Make the Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, shredded cheese, and chopped green onions. Mix everything together until it’s well combined. Don’t be afraid to use your hands if you need to.
Step 3: Assemble the Bombs
Separate the biscuit dough and flatten each biscuit into a 4-inch circle. Place about 2 tablespoons of the buffalo chicken filling into the center of each biscuit circle.
Step 4: Seal Them Up
Carefully pull the edges of the dough up and over the filling. Pinch the seams together tightly to form a sealed ball. This is the most important part to prevent the cheesy goodness from escaping while baking.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Place the bombs seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are a deep golden brown on top.
Step 6: Add the Garlic Butter Topping
While the bombs are baking, melt the butter in a small bowl and stir in the garlic powder. As soon as the bombs come out of the oven, brush them generously with the melted garlic butter.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Let them cool for a few minutes because the filling will be incredibly hot. Serve them warm with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Pro Tips for Success
After making these dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make a huge difference.
- Don’t Overfill: It’s tempting to stuff as much filling as possible into each biscuit, but resist the urge. Overfilling is the number one cause of blowouts in the oven. Two tablespoons is the sweet spot.
- Soften the Cream Cheese: If your cream cheese is cold, the filling will be lumpy. Let it sit on the counter for at least 30 minutes before mixing. If you’re in a rush, you can microwave it in 15-second intervals.
- Cool the Filling: If your chicken is still warm, let the filling mixture cool down for a few minutes before you assemble the bombs. Hot filling can make the biscuit dough soft and difficult to seal.
- Get a Good Seal: I can’t stress this enough. Pinch, twist, and roll the seams to make sure they are completely sealed. A little bit of leakage is okay, but a good seal keeps most of the deliciousness inside.
Required Kitchen Tools
You probably already have everything you need. No fancy gadgets required.
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper (optional, but recommended)
- Medium Mixing Bowl
- Small Bowl (for garlic butter)
- Spatula or Spoon
- Pastry Brush
Substitutions and Variations
This recipe is very forgiving. Feel free to play around with it to match your taste or what you have on hand.
Dough Alternatives:
If you don’t have biscuits, crescent roll dough works well. Just press two triangles together to form a rectangle before adding the filling. You can also use regular pizza dough, cutting it into small squares.
Cheese Swaps:
Spice it up with pepper jack cheese or go for a classic sharp cheddar. A mix of mozzarella and cheddar gives you a great cheese pull. Crumbled blue cheese in the filling is also a fantastic addition if you’re a fan.
Add-Ins:
Want more texture and flavor? Try adding a few tablespoons of crispy, crumbled bacon or finely diced celery to the chicken mixture.
Diet-Friendly Ingredient Swaps
Here are a few ways to adapt the recipe for different dietary needs. Keep in mind that results may vary.
| Diet | Suggested Swap | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Use GF biscuit mix | Baking times may differ. |
| Lower-Carb | Fathead dough | Makes it keto-friendly. |
| Dairy-Free | DF cream cheese/cheese | Use plant-based butter. |
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Making Ahead: You can prepare the buffalo chicken filling up to two days in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also assemble the bombs, place them on the baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before baking. You might need to add a minute or two to the baking time.
Leftovers: If you somehow have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: The best way to reheat them is in an oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. This will make the outside crispy again. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the dough soft and chewy.
Nutritional Information
Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown. This can vary based on the specific brands of ingredients you use.
| Nutrient (per bomb) | Approximate Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Protein | 15g |
| Carbohydrates | 25g |
| Fat | 18g |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I make these in an air fryer?
Ans: Absolutely! Place the bombs in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch. Cook at 330°F (165°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown. You might need to work in batches.
Q2. My bombs leaked cheese everywhere. What went wrong?
Ans: This usually happens for two reasons: they were overfilled, or the seams were not sealed tightly enough. Next time, use a little less filling and really focus on pinching those edges together to create a strong seal.
Q3. Can I use homemade biscuit dough?
Ans: Yes, you can. Homemade dough is delicious! Just make sure it’s a sturdy dough that can hold the filling without tearing. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will be amazing.
Q4. Can I freeze Buffalo Chicken Bombs?
Ans: Yes. The best way is to freeze them unbaked. Assemble the bombs, then place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour until they’re firm. Transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake them from frozen, just add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Q5. My filling seems too runny. How can I fix it?
Ans: This can happen if your buffalo sauce is thin or your cream cheese was extra soft. You can thicken it by adding a little more shredded cheese or by chilling the mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before assembling.
Wrapping Up
There you have it—the ultimate party appetizer that’s secretly simple to make. These Buffalo Chicken Bombs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for any gathering from a casual movie night to the biggest game of the season.
The combination of soft, buttery dough with that spicy, creamy, cheesy center is just unbeatable. Now it’s your turn to become the hero of your next get-together.
Give this recipe a try and let me know how it goes! I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. Feel free to share any fun variations you come up with or ask any questions you might have.
