Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Bites

Featured in: Comfort Food

These crispy buffalo chicken bites combine tender chicken cubes coated in a crunchy panko breading, tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce. Each bite is layered with smoky bacon and nestled on mini crispy waffles, balanced with blue cheese crumbles and fresh chives. Quick to prepare, they're ideal as a flavorful appetizer or snack for game day and gatherings.

The method involves frying golden chicken pieces, baking bacon until crisp, and assembling flavorful layers with optional dressing drizzles. Swap blue cheese for feta or omit for milder flavors, and consider turkey bacon as a lighter alternative. Perfect for those seeking a bold combination of spicy, smoky, and crispy textures.

Updated on Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:19:00 GMT
Golden-fried buffalo chicken and bacon waffle bites, drizzled with creamy ranch, are ready to eat. Save
Golden-fried buffalo chicken and bacon waffle bites, drizzled with creamy ranch, are ready to eat. | whisknjoy.com

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 at a family party and everyone asked for seconds

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

Preheat Oven:
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Bake Bacon:
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.
Prepare Breading Station:
Place flour salt pepper and garlic powder in one bowl beat eggs in a second bowl place panko in a third bowl.
Bread Chicken:
Dredge chicken pieces in flour mixture dip in egg then coat with panko.
Fry Chicken:
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.
Make Buffalo Sauce:
Whisk together hot sauce melted butter and honey. Toss fried chicken pieces in the buffalo sauce to coat.
Toast Waffles:
Toast mini waffles according to package instructions.
Assemble Bites:
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.
Serve:
Serve immediately while warm and crispy.
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These bites always bring the family together on game day, with everyone enjoying the spicy and smoky flavors.

Required Tools

Baking sheet, Parchment paper, Mixing bowls, Tongs, Deep skillet, Paper towels, Waffle toaster or oven

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (gluten), Egg, Milk (butter blue cheese ranch blue cheese dressing). Bacon may contain preservatives check labels if sensitive.

Nutritional Information

Calories 160, Total Fat 9 g, Carbohydrates 12 g, Protein 9 g per bite

Spicy and savory crispy buffalo chicken and bacon waffle bites, garnished with fresh chives, look delicious. Save
Spicy and savory crispy buffalo chicken and bacon waffle bites, garnished with fresh chives, look delicious. | whisknjoy.com

Enjoy these flavorful bites fresh and crispy for the best experience.

Recipe FAQ

How do you get the chicken crispy and tender?

Coat chicken cubes in seasoned flour, dip in beaten eggs, then panko breadcrumbs before frying in hot oil. This creates a crunchy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.

Can I make the mini waffles from scratch?

Yes, homemade mini waffles add freshness and allow control over flavor, but store-bought frozen waffles work well for convenience.

What is a good substitute for blue cheese crumbles?

Feta cheese offers a milder tang, and goat cheese can also be used to complement the spicy and smoky elements.

Is there an easy way to crisp bacon evenly?

Arrange bacon on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes, flipping if needed, until crisp.

How can I adjust the spice level?

Modify the buffalo sauce by reducing hot sauce or adding honey for sweetness to balance the heat to your preference.

Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Bites

Tender buffalo-spiced chicken paired with smoky bacon on crispy mini waffles, ideal for sharing.

Prep duration
25 min
Cook duration
30 min
Complete duration
55 min
Created by Sophia Turner

Classification Comfort Food

Skill Level Medium

Cultural Background American

Output 16 Portion Count

Dietary considerations None specified

Components

Chicken

01 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 0.75 inch cubes
02 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
03 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 2 large eggs
07 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
08 Vegetable oil for frying

Buffalo Sauce

01 1/3 cup hot sauce (e.g., Franks RedHot)
02 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 1 teaspoon honey

Bacon

01 8 slices bacon

Waffles

01 16 frozen mini waffles

Toppings

01 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
02 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
03 Ranch or blue cheese dressing (optional)

Preparation Steps

Stage 01

Preheat oven and prepare bacon: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange bacon slices on the sheet and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then cut each strip in half once cooled.

Stage 02

Prepare breading stations: Set up three bowls: combine flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in the first; beat eggs in the second; place panko breadcrumbs in the third.

Stage 03

Bread the chicken: Dredge chicken cubes first in the flour mixture, then dip into eggs, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs.

Stage 04

Fry chicken bites: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat to about 0.6 inches depth. Fry chicken pieces in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked. Drain on paper towels.

Stage 05

Prepare buffalo sauce: Whisk together hot sauce, melted butter, and honey in a small bowl. Toss fried chicken bites in the sauce to coat evenly.

Stage 06

Toast waffles: Toast frozen mini waffles according to package directions until crisp and warm.

Stage 07

Assemble bites: Top each waffle with half a slice of bacon, one buffalo chicken piece, blue cheese crumbles, and chopped chives. Drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing if desired.

Stage 08

Serve: Serve the assembled bites immediately while warm and crispy.

Necessary tools

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowls
  • Tongs
  • Deep skillet
  • Paper towels
  • Waffle toaster or oven

Allergy details

Review all ingredients for potential allergens and consult with healthcare professionals if you're unsure about any item.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk (butter, blue cheese, dressing). Bacon may contain preservatives; check labels if sensitive.

Nutritional content (each portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 160
  • Fats: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Proteins: 9 g