Chaos Buffalo Chicken Pretzel Balls (Print)
Golden pretzel balls stuffed with savory buffalo chicken and cheese, perfect for sharing at gatherings.
# Components:
→ Buffalo Chicken Filling
01 - 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, finely shredded
02 - 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot)
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
04 - 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
06 - 2 green onions, finely sliced
07 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Pretzel Dough
09 - 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
10 - 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F)
11 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
12 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
13 - 1 teaspoon salt
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
→ Pretzel Bath & Topping
15 - 1/2 cup baking soda
16 - 8 cups water
17 - 1 large egg, beaten
18 - Coarse salt, for sprinkling
# Directions:
01 - In a bowl, combine shredded chicken breast, buffalo hot sauce, melted butter, mozzarella cheese, blue cheese, sliced green onions, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until evenly blended and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, dissolve active dry yeast and granulated sugar in warm water. Leave for 5 minutes until foamy.
03 - Add all-purpose flour, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly to form a soft dough.
04 - Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
05 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes until doubled.
06 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
07 - Punch down the risen dough and divide into 24 equal portions. Flatten each piece into a 3-inch disk.
08 - Place about 1 tablespoon of buffalo chicken filling in the center of each disk. Pinch the edges tightly to seal and form into a smooth ball.
09 - In a large pot, bring 8 cups water and baking soda to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
10 - Gently lower 4–6 balls at a time into the simmering bath for 30 seconds. Remove using a slotted spoon and transfer to the parchment-lined baking sheet.
11 - Brush each pretzel ball with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt.
12 - Bake in the preheated oven for 13–15 minutes until balls are golden and crisp. Serve warm with extra buffalo sauce or ranch dressing if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Bold buffalo flavor and cheesy filling at each bite
- Perfect for parties, sharing, or snacking while watching sports
02 -
- Freeze unbaked balls after filling for a make-ahead snack.
- Double-check all ingredient labels for possible allergens.
03 -
- Swap blue cheese for extra mozzarella if blue cheese is too strong for your crowd.
- Serve warm with ranch or blue cheese dip and crunchy celery sticks on the side.