These are such fun snacks to make. It’s like taking regular Mac & Cheese over the top. My kids love Buffalo Mac & Cheese Bites, and so do the adults! The best news is that these aren’t fried like some others Mac & Cheese bites are. Instead, they are baked to perfection in the oven and served up piping hot.
The key to bringing these together is starting with the ingredients all measured and ready to be assembled. The pasta should be cooked and all ready to go, and the cheese shredded. When you mix everything together in the bowl you are essentially making Mac & Cheese from scratch. However, instead of baking it in a casserole dish you are making it wrapped up in little pockets of puff pastry. It’s incredibly delicious, but you want it all measured and mixed well so the cheese melts perfectly in the oven.
When you work with the puff pastry make sure it is defrosted, but not too warm. You’ll want to work quickly to make the pockets so they can be brushed with the egg washed and popped into the oven. Working at a good pace will ensure the cheese doesn’t get hardened or cold before you put everything in the oven. It will also make sure the puff pastry doesn’t get warm and overworked.
I’ve flavored these bites with buffalo sauce and blue cheese, but you can also make them plain or any other flavor you like. The buffalo flavor is particularly fun for football season since it’s typically associated with the Big Game. These are always a huge hit when I serve them on a buffet or grazing table. People always start by trying one, then move to placing several on their plates once they realize how delicious they are! Enjoy!
Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Bites
In this fun recipe we take classic buffalo chicken dip and mash it up with creamy mac & cheese!
Servings: 36 pieces
Ingredients:
8 oz cooked elbow macaroni
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup cooked and shredded chicken
1/4 cup hot sauce
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
1/4 cup ranch dressing
3 sheet puff pastry
Egg wash (1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine the cooked macaroni, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, chicken, hot sauce, blue cheese crumbles, and ranch dressing in a bowl.
Roll out each puff pastry sheet and cut into 12 squares. Scoop a tablespoon of the mac and cheese mixture in the middle of each square. Wrap each mac & cheese ball in a pastry square, pinching the edges to seal. Brush with egg wash.
Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. Serve with extra buffalo sauce and Blue Cheese Dip!
Nikki Glekas is the owner of Nikki Glekas Events, a full-service catering and events company located in Stamford, CT.. To discuss further please contact team@nikkiglekascollective.com or call 203.658.8659.