Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs are the game day snack you’ve been waiting for. After making these many times, I’ve perfected the crispy, golden exterior that hides a gooey, cheesy center. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting and Creamy Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake Recipe for Dessert.
Why This Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy golden exterior
- Gooey melted mozzarella center
- Perfect blend of buffalo and bacon flavors
- Easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser
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.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Mozzarella cheese sticks
- Bacon
- Buffalo wing sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Flour
- Eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Optional: Chopped green onions
- Optional: Ranch dressing for dipping
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use chicken tenders.
- Mozzarella cheese sticks: Part-skim mozzarella works best for less greasiness.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Makes quick work of chopping chicken and breading → See on Amazon
- Deep fryer or large pot — Ensures even cooking and a safe frying experience → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Pulse in a food processor until finely chopped.
- Assemble the bombs: Wrap each mozzarella stick with a piece of chicken, then wrap with a half slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick.
- Coat the bombs: Dip each bomb in flour, then egg, then panko breadcrumbs mixed with paprika.
- Fry the bombs: Fry in hot oil until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Toss in buffalo sauce: Toss the fried bombs in buffalo wing sauce until fully coated. Serve with ranch dressing for dipping.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 reason these bombs fail is overcooking the chicken, which makes the cheese rubbery. To prevent this, fry the bombs for a shorter time and use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Time-saving tip: You can prepare the bombs ahead of time and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before frying.
- Make-ahead tip: These bombs are best served fresh, but you can reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
- Substitution tip: For a healthier version, you can bake these bombs at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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: You can prepare the bombs ahead of time and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before frying.
Freezing Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day
These bombs do not freeze well due to the cheese and breading.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Microwave: Do not reheat in the microwave as it will make the breading soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the panko breadcrumbs.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken for cooked, shredded chicken to save time.
- Make-ahead: These bombs are best served fresh, but you can prepare them ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before frying.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the bombs are not crispy, you may need to fry them for a longer time or at a higher temperature.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon Mozzarella Bombs for Game Day
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Mozzarella cheese sticks
- Bacon
- Buffalo wing sauce
- Ranch dressing
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Flour
- Eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
Optional Toppings
- Chopped green onions
- Ranch dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Pulse in a food processor until finely chopped.
- Assemble the bombs: Wrap each mozzarella stick with a piece of chicken, then wrap with a half slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick.
- Coat the bombs: Dip each bomb in flour, then egg, then panko breadcrumbs mixed with paprika.
- Fry the bombs: Fry in hot oil until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Toss in buffalo sauce: Toss the fried bombs in buffalo wing sauce until fully coated. Serve with ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the panko breadcrumbs.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken for cooked, shredded chicken to save time.
- Make-ahead: These bombs are best served fresh, but you can prepare them ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before frying.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the bombs are not crispy, you may need to fry them for a longer time or at a higher temperature.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: These bombs do not freeze well due to the cheese and breading.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Do not reheat in the microwave as it will make the breading soggy.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the bombs ahead of time and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before frying.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sat. Fat: 8g
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, you can prepare the bombs ahead of time and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before frying. However, they are best served fresh.
The #1 reason these bombs fail is overcooking the chicken, which makes the cheese rubbery. To prevent this, fry the bombs for a shorter time and use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F.
Yes, for a healthier version, you can bake these bombs at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. However, the texture will not be as crispy as fried.
These bombs are best served with ranch dressing for dipping. You can also serve them with a side of celery sticks or carrot sticks.
These bombs do not freeze well due to the cheese and breading. It's best to make them fresh and serve immediately.
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!
