If you’re craving a fun, flavorful bite that combines crispy, spicy, and tangy all at once, the Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. These sliders bring together golden, crunchy tater tots that double as buns, juicy buffalo-seasoned chicken patties, and that iconic punch of blue cheese to make every bite simply irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a game day party or need a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these sliders deliver the perfect balance of texture and bold flavor that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Putting together these sliders is straightforward because each ingredient plays a key role in creating that unforgettable texture and taste. From the crispy tater tots to the spicy buffalo sauce and tangy blue cheese, every element adds a layer of excitement to the dish.
- Frozen tater tots: The crunchy base and top “buns” that give this dish its playful, crispy character.
- Ground chicken or turkey: A lean protein that takes on the buffalo sauce beautifully for flavorful patties.
- Buffalo wing sauce: Adds that signature spicy tang and moisture to the meat.
- Garlic powder: Infuses the patties with savory depth.
- Onion powder: Enhances flavor subtly without overpowering the sliders.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings that balance the buffalo heat.
- Crumbled blue cheese: Provides a creamy, pungent contrast that complements the spicy sauce.
- Blue cheese dressing: A cool, creamy topper to mellow the spice.
- Chopped chives or green onions: Adds fresh color and mild onion bite.
- Shredded lettuce or slaw mix (optional): Brings a refreshing crunch and brightness.
- Oil spray for baking: Helps the tots crisp up perfectly in the oven.
How to Make Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Tater Tots
Start by heating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread out the frozen tater tots on a baking sheet in a single layer so they can bake evenly. After about 15 minutes, flip each tot to help both sides get that perfect golden crisp. By the time 25 to 30 minutes have passed, your tots will be irresistibly crunchy and ready to act as the sturdy slider buns.
Step 2: Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Patties
While the tots bake, combine your ground chicken or turkey with buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mixing everything well ensures every bite packs that classic buffalo heat with a savory backbone. Shape this mixture into small, flat patties the size of your tot stacks for a balanced slider.
Step 3: Cook the Patties
Warm a skillet over medium heat and cook each patty for 3 to 4 minutes per side. You want them cooked through but juicy—those spicy patties are the heart of these sliders, carrying the bold flavor. Once cooked, set them aside while you get ready to assemble.
Step 4: Assemble Your Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders Recipe
Press 3 to 4 baked tater tots closely together on the baking sheet to form small stacks that act like buns. Place a buffalo chicken patty on each tot base, then drizzle with extra buffalo sauce for an extra kick. Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over the patties, add a generous dollop of blue cheese dressing, and finish with chopped chives or green onions for a pop of color and mild oniony freshness. For extra crunch and balance, add shredded lettuce or slaw, if you like. Cap each slider with another tot stack and serve immediately while warm and crispy.
How to Serve Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders Recipe, garnish with chopped fresh chives or green onions for color and a subtle onion flavor. A small handful of shredded lettuce or crisp slaw mix adds a refreshing crunch that perfectly contrasts the rich, spicy filling. A drizzle of extra buffalo sauce or a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles right before serving adds flavor and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
These sliders shine alongside classic game day sides like celery sticks and carrot sticks, which cool off the heat. For a heartier option, pair them with crispy French fries or a fresh garden salad to balance the richness. A cool, creamy dip, like ranch or additional blue cheese dressing, also complements these sliders beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders Recipe the star of any gathering by arranging them on a rustic wooden board with little bowls of buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing for dipping. You can also serve them open-faced for a casual vibe or stack multiple sliders on skewers for easy sharing at parties. Adding edible flowers or fresh herbs around the serving platter amps up the presentation to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store your sliders separately to maintain their texture. Keep the cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, and store the baked tater tot stacks separately to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the cooked patties in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a zip-top bag or container. While tater tots freeze well unbaked, avoid freezing the assembled sliders to preserve the texture of each component.
Reheating
Reheat tater tots in the oven or air fryer to restore their crispiness, and warm patties gently in the microwave or skillet. Then, assemble your sliders fresh for the best flavor and crunch. This method keeps everything tasting close to freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use ground beef instead of chicken or turkey?
Absolutely! Ground beef works wonderfully in this recipe, bringing a richer flavor that pairs well with buffalo sauce and blue cheese.
Is there a vegetarian alternative for these sliders?
You can easily swap the meat with vegetarian patties, such as plant-based burger patties or chickpea burgers, to keep the flavor and texture exciting.
Can I make the buffalo sauce from scratch?
Yes, mixing hot sauce with melted butter works perfectly to make your own buffalo sauce. This allows you to adjust the heat level to your preference.
What if I don’t like blue cheese?
No worries! You can substitute ranch dressing for blue cheese dressing and leave out the crumbled blue cheese for a milder, yet still delicious, experience.
How spicy are these sliders?
The sliders have a spicy kick thanks to the buffalo sauce, but the creamy blue cheese and dressing help balance the heat so they’re enjoyable even for those who prefer moderate spice.
Final Thoughts
There is truly something special about the Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders Recipe that makes every gathering a hit. The crispy tots, spicy chicken, and tangy blue cheese come together in a way that feels both playful and comforting. I can’t recommend these sliders enough for when you want a snack that’s easy to eat, packed with flavor, and sure to get everyone asking for seconds. Go ahead, give them a try—you’re going to love every bite!
Print
Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Kid-Friendly
Description
Buffalo Blue Crispy Tot Sliders combine crispy baked tater tots with flavorful buffalo-seasoned ground chicken patties, topped with tangy blue cheese and creamy dressing. Perfect as a fun appetizer or game day snack, these sliders deliver a delightful mix of spicy, cheesy, and crunchy textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Slider Components
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 lb ground chicken or turkey
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese
- ¼ cup blue cheese dressing
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives or green onions
- Shredded lettuce or slaw mix (optional for garnish)
- Oil spray for baking
Instructions
- Preheat and Bake Tater Tots: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet and spray lightly with oil. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare Chicken Patties: While the tots bake, combine ground chicken with buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and shape the mixture into small, flat slider-sized patties.
- Cook Patties on Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side until they are fully cooked through and no longer pink inside.
- Assemble Sliders: Once the tots are baked, create small stacks of 3 to 4 tots pressed together to form the buns. Place a cooked chicken patty on top of each tot stack. Drizzle extra buffalo sauce over the patties, sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese, and add a dollop of blue cheese dressing.
- Add Garnishes and Top Slider: Sprinkle chopped chives or green onions and add shredded lettuce or slaw if desired for freshness and crunch. Finish by topping each slider with another tot stack to complete the bun.
- Serve: Serve the sliders immediately while warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use vegetarian patties to make this recipe meatless and suitable for vegetarians.
- Ranch dressing can be used as a substitute for blue cheese dressing if preferred.
- These sliders are perfect for parties, game day appetizers, or casual entertaining.
