There’s something irresistibly fun about these Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe. Sweet, spicy, and super melty, these sliders bring together bold Buffalo flavor with soft, pillowy rolls — making every bite a little party on your plate. Trust me, they’re quick to whip up and perfect for sharing!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I absolutely love how these sliders balance bold Buffalo heat with the sweetness of Hawaiian rolls and a creamy ranch kick — it’s like comfort food elevated. Once I discovered this combo, I started making them for game days and weeknight dinners alike.
- Easy Prep: You’ll have these sliders ready in just about 20 minutes, which is perfect when you want something tasty without fuss.
- Flavor Harmony: The spicy Buffalo chicken paired with creamy ranch and sweet rolls hits all the right notes in every mouthful.
- Party Pleaser: These sliders disappear fast at any gathering — they’re simple, handheld, and so satisfying.
- Flexible and Customizable: You can easily adjust the heat, cheese, or add your favorite toppings to make it your own.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe plays a key role — the rolls provide sweetness and tenderness, while the Buffalo sauce packs spicy punch, and the ranch balances with creaminess. Here’s a quick rundown so you know why they’re worth grabbing fresh.
- Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls: These rolls are soft, lightly sweet, and perfect for mini sandwiches that hold up to juicy fillings.
- Shredded chicken breast: Using shredded chicken helps the sauce cling better, giving every bite even flavor.
- Hot sauce (Buffalo-style): Choose a classic brand like Frank’s RedHot — it offers that iconic tangy heat Buffalo wings fans expect.
- Ranch dressing: I prefer Greek-yogurt based ranch for extra tang and creaminess with less heaviness.
- Garlic powder: Adds depth and a mild savory note without overpowering the Buffalo sauce.
- Shredded mozzarella (or provolone/Havarti): Melts beautifully and helps bind the sliders, plus its mild flavor complements the spicy chicken.
- Unsalted butter: When melted with Italian seasoning, brushing this over the top gives the buns a shiny, flavorful crust.
- Italian seasoning: Brings an herbal note that rounds out the richness and heat perfectly.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love about this Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your tastes or what you have on hand. Feel free to mix and match cheeses, spice level, or even add crunchy extras.
- Variation: I sometimes swap mozzarella for pepper jack to up the heat, and it adds a nice kick that my spice-loving friends adore.
- Dairy-Free Option: Try vegan cheese and a dairy-free ranch to make it friendly for that crowd — still delicious!
- Extra Crunch: Adding thinly sliced celery or pickles inside the slider layers gives a refreshing crunch that balances the richness.
- Mild Version: Use less Buffalo sauce or mix it with a bit of honey for a sweeter, gentler flavor kids often enjoy.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Prep your rolls and oven
Start by placing your oven rack in the center and preheat to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper — I do this every time to keep cleanup quick. Then take your package of Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls and slice them in half horizontally, but don’t separate the individual buns; leave them connected like a casserole. I find this really helps keep the sliders intact while assembling and baking.
Step 2: Mix the Buffalo chicken filling
In a mixing bowl, toss together shredded chicken, Buffalo hot sauce, ranch dressing, and garlic powder. Make sure everything is nicely coated — the ranch really smooths out the heat and adds that creamy tang I adore. Be generous here; you want every bite to be flavorful.
Step 3: Assemble the sliders
Scatter a small handful of shredded cheese over the bottom half of the rolls. This layer creates a melty base that keeps the chicken from soaking into the bread. Spread the Buffalo chicken evenly across, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Finally, place the top half of the rolls back on.
Step 4: Add buttery seasoning and bake
Mix melted butter with Italian seasoning and brush it liberally over the top buns. This step gives you golden, flavorful tops with just a little extra love. Pop the whole tray into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until cheese is bubbling and the tops are nicely toasted.
Step 5: Cool and slice
Once out of the oven, let the sliders rest a few minutes to set up so the cheese doesn’t spill everywhere. Then, using a serrated knife, carefully slice along the spaces between buns. Serve warm and watch them disappear!
Top Tip
From making these Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe countless times, I’ve learned that a few small touches take this from good to unforgettable. Here are some pro tips to nail every batch:
- Keep the rolls attached: Leaving the buns connected during assembly and baking prevents toppings from falling out and makes cutting so much cleaner.
- Don’t skip the cheese under the chicken: It acts like a barrier to keep the bread from getting soggy and adds an extra layer of melty goodness.
- Brush the tops generously: I learned the hard way that skimping on the butter mixture results in less flavorful, pale buns — so be generous for that perfect golden finish.
- Use a serrated knife: This is the best way to avoid squishing your sliders when slicing—plus, it gives nice clean edges.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping mine with a sprinkle of chopped fresh celery or a few dill pickle chips — they add a refreshing crunch that complements the saucy chicken perfectly. A drizzle of extra ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side is always a crowd-pleaser too.
Side Dishes
Pair these sliders with some classic sides like sweet potato fries, crunchy carrot sticks with dip, or even a simple garden salad for balance. For game days, I often serve with crispy onion rings or loaded nachos to keep the party vibe going.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive twist, I’ve arranged the sliders on a large cutting board with small bowls of extra Buffalo sauce and ranch dressing for dipping. Sometimes, I sprinkle chopped green onions or fresh cilantro over the top for color and a flavor boost. They also look great wrapped in parchment paper tied with twine if you’re taking them to a picnic or potluck.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover sliders store beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I usually place a piece of parchment between layers to keep the cheese from sticking and reheat gently to preserve moisture.
Freezing
These sliders freeze well either assembled or deconstructed. I’ve had great results wrapping individual sliders tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freezing up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven for that fresh-baked taste.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop sliders into a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, loosely covered with foil to keep them moist. Avoid microwaving if you can, as the buns tend to get chewy or soggy that way.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can assemble the sliders a few hours ahead, keep them covered in the fridge, and bake just before serving for fresh, melty sliders.
Mozzarella melts wonderfully and has a mild flavor that balances spicy Buffalo sauce perfectly. However, provolone or Havarti make delicious alternatives if you want a slightly different taste and melt.
Definitely! Homemade Buffalo sauce with melted butter, hot sauce, and a splash of garlic powder works beautifully here and lets you control the heat level exactly.
Yes! Just reduce the hot sauce or mix it with a little honey to tame the spice, and the sweet Hawaiian rolls help balance flavors that even picky eaters will enjoy.
Final Thoughts
I still remember the first time I made these Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe for a game day — they were gone within minutes and everyone was asking for seconds! They’re such a fun, flavorful way to get your Buffalo chicken fix without the mess of wings. I can’t recommend them enough; I know you’ll enjoy serving them as much as I enjoy making them. Give this recipe a try, and watch how fast they become a favorite in your home too!
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Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Buffalo Chicken Sliders are a perfect game day treat combining spicy shredded chicken with melty cheese and sweet Hawaiian rolls. These sliders are quick to prepare and bake to golden perfection, making them a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Slider Buns
- 1 (12-ounce) package Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls (such as King’s Hawaiian)
Buffalo Chicken Filling
- 3 cups shredded chicken breast
- ¾ cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot or Frank's Buffalo)
- ¼ cup ranch dressing (Greek-yogurt based preferred)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Cheese and Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella (or provolone or Havarti cheese, divided)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Buns: Without separating the buns, slice the slider rolls in half horizontally. Lay the bottom halves flat in the center of the prepared baking sheet.
- Mix Buffalo Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, hot sauce, ranch dressing, and garlic powder thoroughly until well mixed.
- Assemble Sliders: Sprinkle a small amount of shredded cheese over the bottom buns, then evenly spread the Buffalo chicken mixture on top. Follow by sprinkling the remaining shredded cheese over the chicken layer.
- Top and Butter: Place the top halves of the buns over the chicken layers. In a small bowl, mix melted butter and Italian seasoning, then brush this mixture generously over the tops of the buns.
- Bake: Place the assembled sliders in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and transfer sliders carefully to a cutting board. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing apart with a serrated knife. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use ranch dressing based on Greek yogurt for a tangy flavor and healthier option.
- Choose your preferred melty cheese such as mozzarella, provolone, or Havarti for best results.
- Keep the slider buns connected while slicing to assemble easily and bake evenly.
- Brush the tops with seasoned butter to achieve a flavorful golden crust.
- These sliders are perfect for game days and can be made in about 20 minutes total time.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to retain crispness and melted cheese texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 254 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
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