Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs are the game day hero you never knew you needed. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect crispy exterior and gooey cheese center. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice and Crispy Cheesy Potato Skins with Bacon.
Why This Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy bacon and chicken exterior
- Melty mozzarella cheese center
- Easy to make and perfect for parties
- Better than takeout and family favorite
What You'll Need for Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Mozzarella cheese sticks
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Bacon
- Buffalo wing sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
- Optional: Chopped green onions
- Optional: Ranch dressing for dipping
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Mozzarella cheese sticks: Cut in half if too long.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Saves time and ensures even chicken pieces. → See on Amazon
- Baking sheet — Even cooking and easy cleanup. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day
- Prepare chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Pulse in a food processor until ground.
- Assemble bombs: Wrap each mozzarella stick with a slice of bacon, then wrap with chicken mixture, pressing to seal. Secure with toothpicks.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place bombs on a baking sheet, bake for 20-25 minutes or until bacon is crispy and chicken is cooked through.
- Toss in sauce: Toss bombs in buffalo wing sauce, place back in oven for 5 minutes. Serve with ranch dressing and chopped green onions.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day
- Common mistake and fix: Overcooking can make the cheese stringy and dry. Keep an eye on them and remove from oven when bacon is crispy.
- Pro tip: For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture.
- Pro tip: For a crispier exterior, brush bombs with a little olive oil before baking.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
Freezing Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Not recommended for reheating in the microwave.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use breadcrumbs to coat the bombs.
- Best substitution: Use frozen mozzarella sticks if fresh are not available.
- Make-ahead: Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger parties.
- Troubleshooting: If bombs are not crispy enough, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Want to level up this recipe?
Deep fryer — Crispier exterior and easier cleanup than oven-frying. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Mozzarella cheese sticks
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Bacon
- Buffalo wing sauce
- Ranch dressing
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Chopped green onions
- Ranch dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Pulse in a food processor until ground.
- Assemble bombs: Wrap each mozzarella stick with a slice of bacon, then wrap with chicken mixture, pressing to seal. Secure with toothpicks.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place bombs on a baking sheet, bake for 20-25 minutes or until bacon is crispy and chicken is cooked through.
- Toss in sauce: Toss bombs in buffalo wing sauce, place back in oven for 5 minutes. Serve with ranch dressing and chopped green onions.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use breadcrumbs to coat the bombs.
- Best substitution: Use frozen mozzarella sticks if fresh are not available.
- Make-ahead: Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger parties.
- Troubleshooting: If bombs are not crispy enough, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended for reheating in the microwave.
- Make ahead: Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 19g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 9g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day FAQs
Yes, assemble the bombs and refrigerate until ready to bake. They can be made up to 24 hours in advance.
Overcooking can cause the cheese to string out. Keep an eye on them and remove from the oven when the bacon is crispy.
No, freezing can cause the cheese to become grainy and the texture to suffer.
Yes, cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes or until bacon is crispy and chicken is cooked through.
Serve with ranch dressing and chopped green onions for dipping. They also pair well with Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice or Crispy Cheesy Potato Skins with Bacon.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
