If you’re on the hunt for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that perfectly balances heat, creaminess, and a pop of fresh color, the Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pepper Bombs Recipe is your new best friend. These vibrant little peppers are bursting with a zesty buffalo chicken filling, baked until tender and topped with melty cheese and green onions, making every bite a party in your mouth. Whether you’re hosting a game day, casual get-together, or just craving a flavorful snack, these pepper bombs deliver big flavor with a fun, bite-sized punch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, quality ingredients is the secret to nailing this recipe. Each component plays a special role: the mini bell peppers bring sweetness and crunch, while the shredded chicken and cheeses create that irresistible creamy, spicy filling. Let’s dive into what you’ll need to bring these flavor-packed bites to life.
- 12 mini bell peppers, halved and deseeded: Small, colorful, and slightly sweet to balance the spice perfectly.
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken: The hearty base of the filling providing protein and texture.
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened: Adds luscious creaminess that binds everything together.
- ½ cup buffalo sauce: The bold, spicy kick that gives these bombs their signature flavor.
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully for that luscious, cheesy goodness.
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles (optional): For those who love a tangy, sharp contrast to the buffalo heat.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Boosts savory depth without overwhelming the other flavors.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder: Adds a mild sweetness and earthy undertone.
- ½ teaspoon paprika: Brings a subtle smoky note and vibrant color.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential seasoning to tie all the flavors together.
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions: Fresh garnish that adds a nice crunch and color contrast.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping: Creamy companions that cool down the heat and elevate the experience.
How to Make Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pepper Bombs Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. A properly heated oven ensures those peppers cook evenly and the filling gets nice and bubbly.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, buffalo sauce, shredded cheddar, blue cheese crumbles if you like a tangy touch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until you have a creamy, spicy, and well-seasoned filling that’s ready to pack inside the peppers.
Step 3: Stuff the Peppers
Carefully spoon the buffalo chicken mixture into each halved mini bell pepper. Don’t be shy—fill them generously so each pepper bomb bursts with flavor and that perfect balance of spicy and creamy.
Step 4: Bake
Place the stuffed peppers on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them out so they heat evenly. Pop them into the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the peppers soften slightly and the filling is hot and bubbly, with a golden cheesy top if you used cheddar.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, sprinkle the bombs with chopped green onions to add freshness and a pop of color. Serve immediately with some cool ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping—this contrast makes the spicy flavors even more irresistible.
How to Serve Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pepper Bombs Recipe
Garnishes
Adding chopped green onions is a simple way to boost both the visual appeal and the fresh flavor profile. You can also consider a light drizzle of extra buffalo sauce or a sprinkle of paprika for a finishing touch. These garnishes bring vibrancy and an inviting aroma to the dish.
Side Dishes
These pepper bombs work beautifully alongside cooling sides like crisp celery sticks, carrot sticks, or a fresh garden salad. If you want something heartier, pair them with creamy coleslaw or even garlic bread for an irresistible combo of textures and flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the pepper bombs on a wooden charcuterie board surrounded by dipping sauces, fresh herbs, and other finger foods. You could also thread a few onto skewers for a fun-to-eat presentation at parties. Presentation is half the fun with these colorful, crowd-pleasing bombs!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pepper Bombs Recipe delights, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days, ready to be enjoyed as a quick snack or reheated snack fix.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked, cooled pepper bombs. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze first, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. Frozen, they maintain good flavor for up to 2 months, perfect for those times you need a last-minute appetizer.
Reheating
To reheat, bake the pepper bombs in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes until heated through. Microwaving is also an option but may soften the peppers more, so baking is best to keep their texture intact.
FAQs
Can I use regular-sized bell peppers instead of mini ones?
Absolutely! Just keep in mind the cooking time might increase slightly, and the portion size will be larger. Regular bell peppers will give you a similar flavor but change the bite-sized nature of the dish.
Is this recipe very spicy?
The heat level largely depends on your buffalo sauce choice. Most store-bought buffalo sauces have a medium heat level, but you can adjust by choosing a milder or hotter sauce according to your taste.
Can I make these vegetarian?
Definitely! Swap the shredded chicken for a plant-based protein like seasoned jackfruit or crumbled tofu, and you’ll still get that creamy, spicy delight without the meat.
What’s the best cheese to use?
Cheddar cheese melts beautifully and adds a sharp flavor, but feel free to experiment with pepper jack for extra spice or mozzarella for a milder, gooey texture. Blue cheese crumbles are optional but add a classic buffalo wing flair.
Can I prepare the filling ahead of time?
Yes, preparing the filling in advance is a great time saver. Mix it up and store it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before stuffing the peppers and baking.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend making the Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pepper Bombs Recipe enough—these little bites are bursting with flavor, easy to make, and always a hit wherever they go. Whether for a party or a cozy night snacking, they bring together that perfect combination of creamy, spicy, and cheesy that keeps everyone coming back for more. Go ahead and give this recipe a try, and watch it become your new go-to appetizer obsession!
Print
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pepper Bombs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pepper Bombs are a perfect appetizer or snack, combining tender mini bell peppers stuffed with a creamy, cheesy buffalo chicken filling. Baked to perfection and garnished with fresh green onions, they’re served with ranch or blue cheese dressing for a tangy, cooling dip.
Ingredients
Peppers
- 12 mini bell peppers, halved and deseeded
Filling
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish & Serving
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, buffalo sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, optional blue cheese crumbles, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until the filling is well blended and creamy.
- Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture generously into each halved and deseeded mini bell pepper, filling them evenly.
- Bake: Place the stuffed peppers on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is hot and bubbly.
- Garnish & Serve: Remove the peppers from the oven and sprinkle with chopped green onions. Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to make the filling more or less spicy according to your preference.
- Blue cheese crumbles are optional; you can omit them or substitute with more cheddar cheese if desired.
- These peppers are best served fresh out of the oven while hot and bubbly.
- For a lower-fat version, consider using reduced-fat cream cheese and cheddar.
- Stuffed peppers can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add an extra couple of minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
