Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups are a fun and tasty treat! These crispy cups are filled with spicy buffalo chicken and topped with creamy ranch dressing. They’re easy to make and perfect for parties!
Every bite is a burst of flavor, and your guests will love them! I always make extra because they disappear fast. Who can resist that crunchy, spicy goodness? 🥳
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Wonton Wrappers: These give the cups their crispy texture. If you’re in a pinch, you can use egg roll wrappers cut into smaller squares, but the crunch won’t be quite the same. I love the way wonton wrappers turn golden and crisp in the oven!
Cooked Chicken: I recommend using rotisserie chicken for ease, but you can cook fresh chicken breasts too. If avoiding meat, substitute with shredded jackfruit for a vegetarian option.
Buffalo Wing Sauce: Frank’s RedHot is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment with other brands or make your own sauce by mixing hot sauce with butter. You can adjust the heat level to suit your taste!
Cheese: Cheddar adds great flavor! A blend of cheddar and mozzarella melts beautifully. If you want to try something different, pepper jack can add a little extra spice.
Ranch Dressing: For the classic taste, stick with ranch! But if you’re looking to lighten things up, you can use Greek yogurt mixed with herbs as a healthier alternative.
How Do I Get My Wonton Cups Crispy?
Getting those wonton cups crispy is key for the perfect texture. Follow these steps for great results:
- Preheat your oven properly; a hot oven helps them crisp up right away.
- Grease the muffin tin well to prevent sticking. Cooking spray works wonders here!
- Don’t rush the baking time. Bake the wrappers until they are light golden brown; this means they’ll be crispy and delicious when finished.
- Don’t overfill the cups when adding the chicken mixture; it can cause them to become soggy. Just a spoonful will do.
Following these tips will help you achieve that perfect crunch in each bite!
Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella)
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing (plus extra for drizzling)
- 2 tbsp cream cheese, softened (optional, for creaminess)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Cooking spray or oil (for greasing muffin tin)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15-20 minutes of prep time and an additional 15-20 minutes of baking time, making it a quick and delicious treat to whip up. In total, you’re looking at around 35-40 minutes before you can enjoy these tasty bites!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Oven and Muffin Tin:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). As it warms up, lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin with cooking spray or a little oil to prevent sticking. This will help the wonton cups release easily later.
2. Shaping the Wonton Cups:
Take a wonton wrapper and press it gently into each mini muffin cup, folding the edges if needed to create a cup shape. It’s okay if the edges crinkle a bit; that adds to their charm!
3. Baking the Wonton Wrappers:
Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake the wonton wrappers for about 6-8 minutes, or until they start to turn a light golden brown and become crispy. Once done, remove them from the oven and let cool briefly.
4. Mixing the Buffalo Chicken Filling:
In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo wing sauce, softened cream cheese (if you’re using it), and about 3/4 cup of the shredded cheese. Mix everything together until it’s well blended and coated in that spicy sauce – yum!
5. Filling the Wonton Cups:
Using a spoon, evenly share the buffalo chicken mixture into each baked wonton cup. Be mindful not to overfill; a heaping spoonful per cup is just right!
6. Topping with Cheese:
Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of each filled cup. This step is crucial for that melty goodness you want!
7. Baking Again for Perfection:
Pop the muffin tin back in the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly—this is where the magic happens!
8. Cool and Garnish:
Once they’re melted and perfectly golden, take the tin out of the oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Then, drizzle ranch dressing over the top of each cup and finish with a sprinkle of sliced green onions for extra flavor and color.
9. Serve and Enjoy!
These Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups are best enjoyed warm. Serve them as finger foods for game day, parties, or just a fun weekend snack. Trust me, they’ll disappear fast!
Can I Use Fresh Chicken Instead of Cooked Chicken?
Absolutely! You can boil, bake, or sauté chicken breasts until fully cooked. Once cooled, shred the chicken before mixing it with the buffalo sauce. Just make sure to season the chicken well during cooking for added flavor!
How Can I Make These Wonton Cups Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the wonton cups and the buffalo chicken mixture in advance. Store the baked cups in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two, and keep the chicken mixture in the fridge. When ready to serve, fill the cups and bake until heated through!
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can pop them back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. This will help regain some of that original crispiness!
Can I Make Them Spicier?
Definitely! You can add extra buffalo sauce to the chicken mixture or even incorporate spicy ingredients like diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper. Adjust to your heat preference for an extra spicy kick!
