Save Savory, spicy buffalo chicken and smoky bacon atop crispy mini waffles—perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or game day snack.
I first served this...
Ingredients
- Chicken: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 400 g), cut into 2 cm cubes, 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 large eggs, 1 cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs, Vegetable oil, for frying
- Buffalo Sauce: 1/3 cup (80 ml) hot sauce (e.g., Franks RedHot), 2 tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter, melted, 1 teaspoon honey
- Bacon: 8 slices bacon
- Waffles: 16 frozen mini waffles (or homemade, if preferred)
- Toppings: 1/4 cup (30 g) blue cheese crumbles, 2 tablespoons (8 g) chopped fresh chives, Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2:
- Arrange bacon slices on the prepared sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes until crisp. Transfer to paper towels once cool, cut each strip in half.
- Step 3:
- While bacon cooks, set up a breading station: place flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in one bowl; beat eggs in a second bowl; place panko in a third bowl.
- Step 4:
- Dredge chicken pieces in flour mixture, dip in egg, then coat with panko.
- Step 5:
- Heat 1.5 cm vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken pieces in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 6:
- In a small bowl, whisk together hot sauce, melted butter, and honey. Toss fried chicken pieces in the buffalo sauce to coat.
- Step 7:
- Toast mini waffles according to package instructions.
- Step 8:
- To assemble, top each waffle with a piece of bacon, a buffalo chicken bite, blue cheese crumbles, and a sprinkle of chives. Drizzle with dressing if desired.
- Step 9:
- Serve immediately while warm and crispy.
Save Family really enjoys these bites during game day gatherings.
Notes
Substitute blue cheese with feta or omit for a milder flavor. Use turkey bacon for a lighter option. Mini waffles can be made from scratch for extra freshness. Serve with celery sticks for a classic Buffalo pairing.
Required Tools
Baking sheet, parchment paper, mixing bowls, tongs, deep skillet, paper towels, waffle toaster or oven
Nutritional Information
Calories: 160, Total Fat: 9 g, Carbohydrates: 12 g, Protein: 9 g per bite
Save These bites deliver a perfect balance of spicy, smoky, and crispy in every mouthful.
Recipe Guide
- → How do you achieve a crispy coating on the chicken?
Coat the chicken cubes in seasoned flour, dip in beaten eggs, then cover with panko breadcrumbs before frying in hot oil for a crunchy exterior.
- → Can I prepare the waffles from scratch?
Yes, homemade mini waffles enhance freshness and add a personal touch, but frozen ones work well for convenience.
- → What sauce ingredients create the buffalo flavor?
A blend of hot sauce, melted butter, and honey gives the chicken its signature spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet buffalo coating.
- → Is there a suggested substitute for blue cheese?
Feta cheese can be used as a milder alternative without overpowering the other flavors.
- → How should the bacon be cooked for best texture?
Bake the bacon slices in the oven until crisp, then cool and cut in half to maintain crunch on the bites.