Are you searching for a bold, crave-worthy snack that brings the party right to your kitchen? Meet Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders, the ultimate fusion of spicy buffalo chicken, crunchy tater tots, and creamy blue cheese—all snuggled inside a soft slider bun. These sliders pack a punch of flavor and texture that will have your friends begging for seconds, whether you’re hosting game day or just treating yourself to something special. With easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward steps, Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders make weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings memorably delicious!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders come together with a handful of straightforward ingredients, but each one plays a starring role. From the punchy buffalo sauce to the salty crumbled blue cheese, every component brings out the best in this dish’s flavor, color, and crunch.
- 1 pound ground chicken: The perfect canvas for soaking up buffalo flavors and forming tender, juicy patties.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds subtle warmth and depth to the chicken mixture for richer taste.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder: Provides a sweet-savory base without overpowering the other ingredients.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Essential for seasoning the patties and balancing the heat of the buffalo sauce.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Gives just a hint of sharpness to round out the chicken mixture.
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (divided): Use half for binding and half for tossing the cooked patties—hello, irresistible spice!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: A little oil is all you need to get those sliders golden brown and juicy in the skillet.
- 12 frozen crispy tater tots: Baked until extra crispy, they add that fun crunch and hearty bite to every slider.
- 6 slider buns: Slightly sweet and pillowy soft, these hold all those mouthwatering layers together.
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese: The tangy punch of blue cheese cuts through the heat and gives these sliders their signature flair.
- ¼ cup ranch or blue cheese dressing: For creamy, cooling balance in every bite—choose your favorite!
- ¼ cup thinly sliced celery: Adds crunch and brightness, just like the classic wings-and-celery combo.
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions: Lively, mild onion flavor that makes each slider pop visually and in taste.
- Butter lettuce or greens (optional): Offers a fresh, crisp base that also keeps your sliders from getting soggy.
How to Make Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders
Step 1: Bake Those Tots
Get started by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C), then spread the frozen tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake them according to the package directions—usually about 20 minutes—making sure to turn them halfway for all-over crunchiness. Don’t rush this part; those golden, crispy tots are essential for the best Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders experience!
Step 2: Mix and Season the Chicken
While your tots are crisping up, toss the ground chicken in a big bowl with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and half of your buffalo sauce. Mixing with your hands (or a sturdy spoon) ensures the flavors are fully incorporated and every bite is bold and crave-worthy.
Step 3: Form the Perfect Patties
Divide your seasoned chicken mixture into 6 equal portions and gently shape each one into a small, slider-sized patty. Try not to compact them too much—keeping them loose makes for the juiciest, most tender sliders.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken Patties
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the patties and cook for 4–5 minutes per side, or until each one is golden brown and cooked through. Resist the urge to flip too early; a good sear means more flavor and better texture!
Step 5: Toss in Buffalo Sauce
Transfer the cooked chicken patties to a bowl and toss them gently with the remaining buffalo sauce, making sure each one is coated in that glossy, spicy kick. This step transforms your sliders from good to utterly unforgettable.
Step 6: Assemble Your Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders
Now for the fun part! Start with the bottom half of each slider bun and layer on a little butter lettuce, followed by a piping-hot buffalo chicken patty. Top with two crispy tater tots, a hefty sprinkle of blue cheese, a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing, and scatter over some celery and green onion slices. Cap it with the top bun, press down gently, and you’re ready to eat—or serve to an eagerly awaiting crowd!
How to Serve Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders
Garnishes
To make your Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders pop even more, scatter extra crumbled blue cheese and sliced green onions on top just before serving. For color and crunch, a few sprigs of fresh parsley or extra thin celery ribbons add a cheerful, gourmet vibe. And if you love heat, an extra drizzle of buffalo sauce right before serving will make spice fans swoon.
Side Dishes
Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders are the main event, but they love a good supporting act! Serve with classic carrot and celery sticks, a simple green salad, or even a pile of kettle chips. If you want to go all out, pair with sweet potato fries or a tangy slaw to balance the bold flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Slide a toothpick through each completed slider and stack them onto a wooden board for a playful, party-ready display. You can also serve the components “build-your-own” style, with little bowls of sauces and toppings for a fun, interactive meal. Mini flags or football picks? Always encouraged for that festive game-day feel!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders are best enjoyed right away, but if you have leftovers, store the chicken patties, tater tots, and toppings separately in airtight containers. The buns can stay at room temp, but the rest go in the fridge, where they’ll keep for up to 3 days without losing too much texture or flavor.
Freezing
If you want to prep ahead, both the cooked chicken patties and the tater tots freeze beautifully. Cool them completely, then wrap each portion tightly before freezing for up to 2 months. When the craving hits, you’ll be just a quick reheat away from Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders perfection.
Reheating
For the best texture, reheat the sliders’ components separately. Bake tater tots in a hot oven until crispy again, and warm patties in a skillet or microwave. Assemble your Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders fresh for each serving, adding the garnishes and sauces just before eating for maximum flavor and crunch.
FAQs
Can I make Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders with ground turkey or beef instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Both ground turkey and beef make great alternatives and absorb those bold buffalo flavors beautifully. Just keep in mind that beef is slightly richer, while turkey lightens things up. Adjust the cooking time as needed, and enjoy the twist!
What can I use if I don’t like blue cheese?
No worries—shredded cheddar, pepperjack, or even crumbled feta are delicious in place of blue cheese on your Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders. The important thing is to add that creamy, tangy counterpoint to the heat!
How spicy are these sliders?
The heat level depends on your buffalo sauce. For mild sliders, use a mild sauce; if you want things extra fiery, choose a hot version or add a dash of hot sauce. The cooling ranch or blue cheese dressing and the tater tots keep everything nicely balanced.
Can I toast the slider buns?
Definitely! Lightly toasting the buns in a skillet or under the broiler gives Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders an added layer of crunch and helps keep them from getting soggy, especially if you’re making a big batch or serving them at a party.
Are Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders good for meal prep?
They sure are! Prepare the components (chicken patties and tater tots) in advance, refrigerate or freeze them, and assemble just before you’re ready to eat. This way, each slider is fresh, flavorful, and retain their signature crispiness!
Final Thoughts
Once you treat yourself to the bold, irresistible bite of Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders, you’ll find yourself whipping them up for every occasion—game day, gatherings, or just because you crave something fun! Bursting with personality, these sliders are proof that comfort food can be both playful and totally delicious. Go ahead, give them a try—you’ll be hooked from the very first bite!
Print
Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders are a perfect fusion of flavors, combining spicy buffalo chicken with the tangy goodness of blue cheese, all nestled between crispy tater tots and slider buns. They make a great option for game day or any casual gathering.
Ingredients
Slider Patties:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (divided)
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 frozen crispy tater tots
- 6 slider buns
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese
- ¼ cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- ¼ cup thinly sliced celery
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- butter lettuce or greens (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake the tater tots until golden and crispy.
- Prepare the chicken: Combine ground chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and ¼ cup buffalo sauce. Form into patties.
- Cook the patties: Cook the patties in a skillet until golden and cooked through.
- Assemble the sliders: Layer lettuce, chicken patty, tater tots, blue cheese, dressing, celery, and green onions on slider buns.
- Serve: Top with bun halves and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra heat, add hot sauce to the chicken mixture.
- You can use shredded cheddar instead of blue cheese.
- Toast slider buns for added texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
