Cheesecake Factory Buffalo Blasts are my new favorite appetizer – but they’re really more like a meal – and you’ll definitely want to share with friends! Chicken, cheese and a spicy buffalo sauce all stuffed in a spiced shell and deep fried. So crunchy and spicy!
Cheesecake Factory has a pretty great happy hour menu and I went with friends and tried about half the menu including these crunchy delights! This copycat version has all the crunchy and cheese but you get to make it at home! It’s a bit messy to make but so worth it!
How to Make Cheesecake Factory Buffalo Blasts
These Buffalo Blasts aren’t difficult but they are messy! It’s best to lay out everything in advance to help during the preparation. I used leftover rotisserie chicken for this recipe – which makes the prep super easy!
- Start by mixing your filling together in a bowl – chicken, cheese, and wing sauce
- Then, set up breading stations. Whisk together eggs and water in one tray. Stir together Hooters breading, cornstarch and salt in a second tray.
- On a cutting board, lay out one wonton wrapper and place 2-3 tbsp chicken filling in center of wrapper.
- Dip basting brush in egg mixture and brush lightly around edges of wrapper.
- Fold wrapper over filling, forming a triangle, pressing to seal edges. Set aside, and repeat with remaining filling and wrappers.
- Once you have all your buffalo blasts formed – you’re ready for the messy part!
- Preheat oil to 350°F in a Dutch oven over medium to medium-high. (Temp check with an instant read thermometer)
- Bread stuffed wontons in Hooters mixture, then dip in egg mixture and repeat two more times – you want a really thick breading! That’s the key to make them just like the Cheesecake Factory!
- Hand wash break! Your fingers are going to be coated! Be sure to wash up before you fry!
- Fry 2 at a time until golden brown and flaky, flipping occasionally, about 5 minutes.
- Place a baking rack with paper towels underneath on a cookie sheet. Put buffalo blasts on rack and set in warm oven (250) while you’re frying the remaining blasts.
- Serve immediately with celery sticks, and buffalo sauce and blue cheese for dipping.
These Buffalo Blasts quickly became a favorite – they’re extra crunchy – and I love using the Hooters Wing Breading. Cheesecake Factory uses a spiced breading and the Hooters Breading is my favorite!
Are Buffalo Blasts spicy?
They can be as spicy as you like! The spice comes from the Buffalo Wing sauce that you mix your chicken and cheese with. I’m not big on spicy so I used a mild variety that I got at Kroger but if you like it hot – use a hot wing sauce! I did use a Buffalo Wing sauce rather than Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo.
Can you make Buffalo Blasts in the Air Fryer?
I’m obsessed with my air fryer – but I wouldn’t make these in it. They’ve got a very thick coating of a flour breading and you just couldn’t spray it with enough olive oil for them to come out right in the air fryer. I love my air fryer – but but it’s best with a light breading or a panko crust vs. flour. You’re better off just making them the old fashioned way in oil!
What to serve with Cheesecake Factory Buffalo Blasts
Besides a side of celery with Blue Cheese – these are crying out for some veggies or other appetizers for a big fun dinner of snacks! Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Buffalo Blasts
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 3 eggs
- 3 tbsp water
- 3 cups Hooters Wing Breading
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 8 7" square wonton wrappers
- 4 cups canola or vegetable oil
- celery sticks
- Blue Cheese Dressing
Instructions
- Stir together chicken, cheese, and wing sauce in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Set up breading stations. Whisk together eggs and water in one tray. Stir together Hooters breading, cornstarch and salt in a second tray.
- Lay out one wonton wrapper and place 1 tbsp chicken filling in center of wrapper.
- Dip basting brush in egg mixture, and brush lightly around edges of wrapper.
- Fold wrapper over filling, forming a triangle, pressing to seal edges. Set aside, and repeat with remaining filling and wrappers.
- Do not discard egg mixture.
- Preheat oil to 350°F in a Dutch oven over medium to medium-high (or a FryDaddy if you have one). Be sure to check temp with an instant read thermometer.
- Bread stuffed wontons in Hooters mixture, then dip in egg mixture and repeat TWO more times
- Fry 2 at a time until golden brown and flaky, flipping occasionally, about 5 minutes.
- Place a baking rack with paper towels underneath on a cookie sheet. Put buffalo blasts on rack and set in warm oven (250) while you're frying the remaining blasts.
- Repeat process with remaining pieces.
- Serve immediately with celery sticks, and buffalo sauce and blue cheese for dipping.
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