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Got tired of plain old buffalo wings making a mess at every party, so I started playing around with turning those flavors into sliders. After lots of taste testing (tough job, I know), these little beauties became our go-to game day food. They've got all that buffalo kick you love, but you can eat them with one hand while cheering with the other.
First time I made these for a Super Bowl party, they disappeared before kickoff. Now they're requested for every gathering - sports or not.
What You'll Need
- Rotisserie chicken: Makes life easier
- Good buffalo sauce: I like Frank's
- Fresh mozzarella: None of that bagged stuff
- Hawaiian rolls: Keep them connected
- Real butter: For that topping
- Ranch dressing: Cuts the heat
- Local honey: Secret ingredient
- Fresh garlic: Worth the effort
- Italian seasoning: For the top
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Want me to walk you through how to build these game day beauties?
Building Buffalo Magic
- Chicken Mix:
- Start by shredding that chicken super fine - I just use two forks and pull it apart. Mix in your buffalo sauce, but here's the trick - add honey and ranch too. The honey balances everything out, makes people wonder what that little something extra is.
- Roll Prep:
- Take those connected rolls and slice them in half like one big sandwich. Don't separate them yet - that's what makes this work. Lay the bottom half in your pan and get ready for the good stuff.
- Layer Love:
- Spread that buffalo chicken mix evenly over the bottom. Don't be stingy - you want every bite to have plenty. Then comes the cheese layer - I go heavy here because, well, cheese.
- Butter Crown:
- Mix up that garlic butter with Italian seasoning and brush it all over the top. This is what makes them irresistible. Cover them tight with foil - keeps all that good stuff from escaping.
First batch, I made them too spicy and nobody could taste anything else. Now I know balance is everything.
Party Perfect Serving
These babies need to be served warm, when that cheese is all melty and the tops are golden brown. I cut them right before putting them out - keeps everything neat. Set up little bowls of extra ranch and buffalo sauce for dipping. Sometimes I'll make a double batch and keep the second tray warm in the oven on low. They go fast at parties.
Playing Around
Over time, I've tried different versions. Blue cheese instead of mozzarella for the fancy crowd. Sometimes I'll add crumbled bacon on top because, why not? My daughter loves when I make a milder version with BBQ sauce instead of buffalo. For big parties, I make one spicy tray and one mild - just mark them somehow so people know what they're grabbing.
Keeping Them Good
You can actually prep these ahead - just don't bake them. Keep them wrapped in the fridge, then pop them in the oven when your guests arrive. If you've got leftovers (which rarely happens), wrap them tight and reheat in the oven, not the microwave. Microwaving makes them soggy.
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You know what makes these sliders special? They're like buffalo wings grew up and got fancy. Perfect for feeding a crowd without making a mess. Sometimes the best party foods are the ones that let everyone stay in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why use rotisserie chicken?
- Saves time and provides tender, flavorful meat.
- → Why freshly grated cheese?
- Melts better than pre-shredded which has anti-caking agents.
- → Can I make these ahead?
- Best served fresh but keeps 2 days refrigerated.
- → How spicy are they?
- Customize heat by adjusting buffalo sauce amount.
- → Can I freeze these?
- Not recommended, texture best when fresh.