Description
Buffalo Blitz Bites are a flavorful, bite-sized appetizer combining creamy, spicy chicken and cheese filling inside flaky puff pastry cups. Topped with a vibrant carrot and celery slaw and served with ranch dressing, these crowd-pleasing bites pack a punch ideal for game day or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetable Slaw
- 1 large carrot, peeled, grated (optional)
- 1 large stalk celery, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Kosher salt, to taste
Filling
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup hot sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp store-bought or homemade Cajun seasoning
- 2 1/4 cups chopped rotisserie chicken (about 12 oz)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles, plus more for serving
- 4 tbsp sliced chives, divided
Dough & Assembly
- All-purpose flour, for surface
- 1 (8 1/2-oz) sheet puff pastry
- Cooking spray
Serving
- Ranch dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetable Slaw: In a small bowl, combine the grated carrot, thinly sliced celery, and apple cider vinegar with a pinch of kosher salt. Toss well and set aside to allow flavors to meld until ready to serve.
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, melted unsalted butter, hot sauce, and Cajun seasoning until you get a smooth, creamy mixture. Gently fold in the chopped rotisserie chicken, shredded cheddar, blue cheese crumbles, and 3 tablespoons of the sliced chives, evenly distributing all ingredients.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the puff pastry sheet into a 12-inch by 10-inch rectangle. Using a bench scraper or a sharp knife, cut the dough into 12 equal squares for the bites.
- Assemble the Bites: Spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place one square of puff pastry into each muffin cup, pressing lightly so the dough molds to the cup bottom.
- Fill and Bake: Spoon the prepared chicken and cheese filling evenly into each lined muffin cup. Place the tin in a preheated oven at 450°F (232°C) and bake for 17 to 20 minutes until the puff pastry is golden brown and the filling bubbles.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove the tin from the oven and let the bites cool within the muffin tin for 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer them to a serving platter, topping each bite with the reserved carrot and celery slaw and the remaining 1 tablespoon of sliced chives. Serve alongside ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
- The carrot in the slaw is optional but adds a refreshing crunch and color contrast.
- For extra heat, choose a spicier hot sauce or add a pinch of cayenne to the filling mixture.
- Leftover bites can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- For a milder version, reduce the amount of hot sauce or omit the blue cheese crumbles.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easier mixing and a smooth texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Buffalo chicken bites, appetizer, puff pastry, game day snack, spicy chicken bites, cheese-filled bites, easy party food
