Description
These Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Cups are a fun and flavorful appetizer perfect for game day or parties. Crispy tater tots form a tasty cup filled with spicy buffalo chicken and gooey melted cheddar cheese, baked to perfection in a mini muffin pan. Easy to make and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Potato Base
- 48 frozen tater tots
Filling
- 24 pieces frozen popcorn chicken
- ¾ cup Frank’s Buffalo sauce
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 425ºF (220ºC) and spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Bake Tater Tots: Place 2 frozen tater tots into each cup of the mini muffin pan and bake for 15 minutes until they start to crisp and soften.
- Heat Chicken: While the tots bake, heat the frozen popcorn chicken in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes until thoroughly warmed.
- Toss Chicken in Buffalo Sauce: In a bowl, combine the hot popcorn chicken with ¾ cup of Frank’s Buffalo sauce, tossing until fully coated. Set aside.
- Form Tater Tot Cups: Remove the tater tots from the oven and use a tamper or similar tool to gently press the tots down, forming cup shapes in each muffin slot.
- Fill the Cups: Sprinkle a little shredded cheddar cheese into the bottom of each tot cup, then add the buffalo chicken on top, and finally sprinkle additional cheddar cheese over the chicken.
- Bake Until Cheese Melts: Return the muffin pan to the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
Notes
- Use a tamper or the back of a spoon to carefully press the tater tots into cup shapes without breaking them.
- If you prefer spicier bites, add extra buffalo sauce or sprinkle some cayenne pepper over the chicken before baking.
- Can be served with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
- Ensure chicken is fully heated before tossing in buffalo sauce for best flavor and food safety.
- These cups are best served warm but can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
