Buffalo Sliders Baked

These oven-baked buffalo chicken mini sandwiches turn simple Hawaiian rolls into an addictive gameday snack that mixes hot buffalo chicken with smooth, creamy slaw. The ranch-infused butter topping elevates these little sandwiches, creating a tasty blend of flavors that'll have everyone coming back for more.

I whipped these sliders up for an impromptu Super Bowl party and they vanished quicker than anything else on the table. My brother-in-law usually stays away from anything spicy but ended up devouring four of them and wanted to know how I made them.

Ingredients

• Hawaiian sweet rolls: The subtle sweetness cuts through the spicy buffalo flavor perfectly. Go for packs that seem fresh and soft to touch.
• Shredded rotisserie chicken: This shortcut saves loads of time and gives you moist, flavorful meat. Grab a warm one straight from the grocery store.
• Buffalo sauce: Brings that zingy heat we all crave. Frank's RedHot works best for that classic taste.
• Plain coleslaw: Adds that needed crunch and cool contrast. Store-bought is totally fine but homemade takes it up a notch.
• Ranch dressing: Helps tame the buffalo spice. Pick one that's thick and rich.
• Melted butter: Creates the amazing topping that gets soaked up by the buns. Go with unsalted for better flavor control.
• Ranch dip seasoning: Adds garlic and herb notes throughout. Hidden Valley makes the most reliable mix.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Your Baking Dish Ready:

Turn your oven on to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for the right cooking temp. Put parchment paper in a 9×13 inch pan or spray it well so nothing sticks. This step makes sure your sliders come out clean and easy to serve.

Cut The Hawaiian Rolls:

Get a big bread knife and cut the whole block of rolls across the middle. Go slow to get an even cut between top and bottom. Don't pull the rolls apart yet – keeping them connected makes everything easier and helps hold the sliders together.

Mix Up The Buffalo Chicken:

Grab a bowl and toss your shredded chicken with buffalo sauce until every bit gets coated. You want it wet but not swimming. Spread this mix across the bottom half of your rolls and push down lightly to make it flat.

Layer On The Coleslaw:

Stir the plain slaw with ranch dressing in another bowl. This cool, creamy layer balances out the spicy chicken really well. Spread it evenly on top of the chicken, making sure to cover everything.

Put It All Together:

Set the top half of rolls back on carefully, lining up the edges as best you can. Press down gently to squish everything together a bit so the sliders won't fall apart when served.

Whip Up The Butter Mix:

Mix melted butter with the ranch seasoning in a small cup or bowl until everything's mixed in. This tasty liquid will soak into the rolls and make them extra flavorful.

Drizzle The Butter:

Pour the butter mix slowly over the top of your rolls, trying to cover the whole surface. Some will run off to the sides and that's totally fine – it'll soak into the bottom rolls and make them taste amazing.

Let Them Sit:

Cover the pan with foil and let everything sit for 5-10 minutes at room temperature. This break gives the rolls time to soak up some of that tasty butter before cooking.

Cook The Sliders:

Put the covered pan in your hot oven and let it bake for around 20 minutes. Keeping it covered helps everything heat through without burning the tops.

Get Them Golden:

Take the foil off and put the pan back in for about 5 more minutes. This last bit of baking gives you a nice golden top with a slight crunch while keeping everything else soft and juicy inside.

Pin it

The first time I threw these together, I accidentally poured in twice the buffalo sauce and thought I'd messed everything up. Turns out my family went nuts for the extra spicy version and now they won't let me make them any other way. Sometimes kitchen mistakes turn into the best family favorites.

Make Ahead Tips

These sliders are great for busy hosts who need to plan ahead. You can build everything up until the butter step, then wrap and chill for up to a day. When you're ready to cook, just pour on the butter mix and add 5 extra minutes to the covered cooking time. That makes them super handy for potlucks or parties when you don't want to be stuck in the kitchen.

Spice Level Adjustments

If some folks can't handle heat, cut the buffalo sauce down to 1/4 cup and add a tablespoon of melted butter to keep things moist while lowering the kick. For friends who love spice, drizzle extra buffalo sauce on top before serving or put some in a small bowl for dipping. You can also throw some thin jalapeño slices on the chicken layer for serious heat lovers.

Perfect Pairings

These buffalo chicken bites go great with fresh cut veggies and blue cheese dip to round out that buffalo wing experience. Drink-wise, cold beers, especially light lagers, taste awesome with the spicy flavors. If you're serving them as a meal, add a simple green salad with vinaigrette to balance out how rich the sliders are.

Pin it

Pull these sliders hot from the oven and watch how quickly they vanish—they're always the hit of any party!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap out the bread for something else?

Sure! Any soft pull-apart bread works, but Hawaiian rolls bring a sweet, light taste that complements the buffalo sauce perfectly.

→ Is it okay to make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble them a few hours early and stick them in the fridge, but baking them fresh gives the best flavor and texture.

→ What can I use instead of ranch dressing?

If ranch isn’t your thing, swap it for blue cheese dressing for a tangier kick or creamy Italian dressing for something softer.

→ How do I make the sliders spicier?

Turn up the heat by adding extra buffalo sauce, tossing in chili flakes, or mixing in diced jalapeños.

→ What sides go well with these?

Pair them up with crunchy chips, veggie sticks, or a simple green salad for a well-rounded meal.