Description

Cheesy Ranch Buffalo Chicken Pretzel Bites are a delicious appetizer featuring tender shredded chicken mixed with spicy buffalo sauce, cooling ranch dressing, and melted cheddar cheese, all enveloped in soft pretzel dough pockets. These bites are boiled briefly for traditional pretzel texture, baked to golden perfection, and brushed with butter for extra flavor. Perfect for game day or parties, they offer a flavorful combination of spicy, cheesy, and tangy in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Buffalo Chicken Filling

1 lb cooked chicken, shredded
1 cup buffalo sauce (plus more for serving)
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Pretzel Dough

1 package refrigerated pretzel dough (or homemade dough)

For Assembly and Finishing

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Salt, for sprinkling
1 tablespoon melted butter (for brushing)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the pretzel bites.
Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated into a consistent mixture.
Shape Dough: Roll out the refrigerated pretzel dough on a clean surface and cut it into small squares or rounds, approximately 2 inches in diameter, which will serve as the base for your pretzel bites.
Fill Bites: Spoon a generous amount of the buffalo chicken mixture onto the center of each dough piece. Carefully fold the edges of the dough up and over the filling, sealing each to form a bite-sized pocket ensuring no filling escapes during cooking.
Boil Bites: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Gently drop the filled dough pockets into the boiling water for about 30 seconds; this step helps achieve the classic pretzel texture. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bites from the water and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Egg Wash and Season: Brush each pretzel bite with the beaten egg wash to promote browning. Sprinkle a pinch of salt on top to enhance flavor and mimic traditional pretzel saltiness.
Bake: Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Finish and Serve: Once baked, remove the pretzel bites from the oven and immediately brush them with melted butter for extra richness. Serve warm alongside additional buffalo sauce for dipping.

Notes

Boiling pretzel bites before baking is essential to achieve the traditional chewy pretzel texture.
Use cooked chicken leftover from rotisserie or grilled chicken for convenience and flavor.
Adjust buffalo sauce amount according to preferred spiciness.
For homemade dough, ensure the recipe is suitable for pretzel making to get the right texture.
Brush with melted butter immediately after baking for a glossy finish and enhanced taste.
Serve with extra ranch or blue cheese dressing as alternative dips if desired.