Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Cups

Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Cups tuck creamy, spicy shredded chicken into golden tater tot shells. Add a drizzle of ranch, and you’ve got a fun little appetizer for game day or your next get-together.

Rotisserie chicken keeps the prep simple, and a muffin pan gives these potato bites their shape. With just six ingredients, they’re easy to put together—and easy to grab from the snack table!

Why You’ll Love These Tater Tot Cups

• Two favorites in one bite. Buffalo chicken meets golden tater tots—hard to argue with that combo!
• Just six ingredients. Grab a rotisserie chicken and a bag of tots, and you’re well on your way.
• No forks required. These little cups are right at home on the game-day snack table.
• Dress them up your way. Finish with ranch, extra buffalo sauce, or a sprinkle of green onions.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Tater tots: Cook them first so you’re starting with golden, crispy tots before pressing them into cups.
• Cream cheese: Let it soften to room temperature so the filling mixes easily.
• Buffalo sauce: Use your favorite—this is where that tangy kick comes from!
• Garlic powder and dried chives: A little extra flavor without extra chopping.
• Shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken keeps things easy. Leftover cooked chicken works, too.

You’ll find the full ingredient list, measurements, and step-by-step instructions in the recipe card below.

Cetcu Tip: Cold cream cheese likes to put up a fight! Let it soften before mixing so you get a smooth filling without chasing little cream cheese clumps around the bowl.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Cups

1. Cook the tots. Bake or air fry according to the package directions, then set your oven to 350°F.
2. Mix the filling. Stir the softened cream cheese, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, dried chives, and shredded chicken together until well combined.
3. Press and fill. Place 5–6 cooked tots in each muffin cup. Press with a small glass to form a shell, then spoon in the chicken filling.
4. Bake and rest. Bake for 15 minutes, then let the cups rest for 10–15 minutes before removing and adding your favorite toppings.

Cetcu Tip: Give these little guys a breather! Resting helps the potato shells hold together when you lift them out of the pan.

That’s the quick version! Scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements and all the details.

Bring On the Toppings

Set out homemade ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing, extra buffalo sauce, and sliced green onions so everyone can finish their cups just how they like them. A little drizzle, a little sprinkle—you know the drill!

Serve them warm with celery and carrot sticks for that classic buffalo chicken combo. They’re a fun addition to a game-day spread, or a snack worth turning the oven on for!

Storage and Reheating

If a few escape the snack table: Store leftover cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

To reheat: Try the air fryer at 360°F for about 5 minutes, or until heated through, to perk up those potato edges. For a quick snack, microwave 1–3 cups for about a minute, adding more time as needed.

Save the ranch drizzle and fresh toppings for after reheating!

Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Cups FAQs

Can I use chicken other than rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely! Any cooked, shredded chicken works here. Rotisserie chicken just saves you a little kitchen time.

Do I cook the tater tots before putting them in the muffin pan?

Yes! Cook them according to the package directions first, then press them into the muffin cups. Frozen tots won’t squish into those little shells.

How do I keep the cups from falling apart?

Press the tots firmly into the pan and let the baked cups rest for 10–15 minutes before removing them. A little patience goes a long way!

More Game-Day Snacks

Feeding a hungry cheering section? Add Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders, Jalapeño Popper Dip, and Ham & Cheese Roll-Ups to the lineup.

A little something to grab, a little something to dip—and plenty of reasons to hang out by the snack table!

Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Cups

Yield: 12 cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Golden tater tot cups filled with creamy buffalo chicken bring a little kick to the snack table! Made with six simple ingredients and rotisserie chicken, they’re a fun game-day appetizer finished with your favorite ranch drizzle.

Ingredients

• 21 ounces frozen tater tots, cooked according to package directions
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup buffalo sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried chives
• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• Optional toppings: ranch dressing, extra buffalo sauce, and sliced green onions

Instructions

1. Cook the frozen tater tots according to the package directions, using the oven or air fryer. Set the oven to 350°F for baking the cups. Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin pan.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, and dried chives. Fold in the shredded chicken until well combined, with no unmixed cream cheese clumps.
3. Place 5–6 cooked tater tots in each muffin cup. Use the bottom of a small glass to press them firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides, forming a potato shell.
4. Divide the buffalo chicken filling evenly among the 12 potato shells.
5. Bake for 15 minutes, until the filling is hot. Let the cups rest in the pan for 10–15 minutes before carefully removing them. Add desired toppings and serve warm.

Notes

Tater tots: A 2-pound bag is plenty for this recipe. You’ll use 5–6 tots per muffin cup (60–72 total), so you’ll have some left over. The weight will vary slightly by brand.

Chicken: Any cooked, shredded chicken works. Rotisserie chicken is an easy shortcut.

Cream cheese: Soften it before mixing for a smooth filling. A hand mixer can help combine the cream cheese, sauce, and seasonings before folding in the chicken.

Removing the cups: Let them rest in the pan for 10–15 minutes so the potato shells hold together.

Timing: Allow extra time to cook the frozen tots according to your package directions; this isn’t included in the listed times.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1 tater tot cup

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 242
Total Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 58mg
Sodium: 710mg
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 1g
Protein: 14g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.