Save The smell of buffalo sauce always takes me back to Sunday afternoons, messy fingers, and too many hot wings. One night I had leftover chicken and an open jar of buffalo sauce staring at me from the fridge, and I thought: what if I could roll all that saucy, creamy goodness into something crispy? I grabbed a pack of egg roll wrappers I had been saving for spring rolls and never got around to making. What came out of that hot oil was golden, crackling, and so dangerously good I burned my tongue twice before they even cooled.
I brought a tray of these to a potluck once, still warm and crackling in foil. They disappeared faster than anything else on the table. People kept asking if I ordered them from a restaurant, and I just smiled and said I threw them together with leftovers. One friend stood by the tray with a little cup of ranch, guarding the last two like treasure.
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Ingredients
- Shredded cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken is your best friend here, already juicy and seasoned, saving you from poaching or grilling from scratch.
- Cream cheese: Let it soften on the counter for at least 30 minutes so it blends smoothly without clumps that refuse to cooperate.
- Buffalo sauce: This is where the heat lives, so taste as you go and adjust based on whether you want a gentle warmth or full fire.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing: Ranch keeps it mild and crowd friendly, blue cheese brings a tangy sharpness that buffalo wing purists will appreciate.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: It melts into the filling and adds a rich, savory backbone that balances all that spice.
- Green onions: A little brightness and bite, finely chopped so they blend right in without big crunchy surprises.
- Egg roll wrappers: Keep them covered with a damp towel while you work or they dry out and crack when you try to roll them.
- Water: Just a fingertip dipped in water seals the wrapper edge like glue, no fancy brushes needed.
- Vegetable or canola oil: For frying, you need enough depth to let the egg rolls float and crisp evenly without burning.
- Cooking spray: A light mist before baking or air frying helps them turn golden instead of pale and sad looking.
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Instructions
- Mix the filling:
- Combine chicken, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, dressing, cheddar, and green onions in a bowl, stirring until everything is creamy and cohesive. Taste it now and adjust the heat or tang before you commit to rolling.
- Prep your workspace:
- Lay out an egg roll wrapper with one corner pointing toward you like a diamond. Keep the rest covered so they stay pliable.
- Fill and fold:
- Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling into the center, then fold the bottom corner up and over. Tuck in the side corners like you are wrapping a tiny burrito, then roll tightly away from you and seal the top corner with a dab of water.
- Fry (if frying):
- Heat about 2 inches of oil to 350°F in a deep skillet, then fry the egg rolls in small batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until they turn deep golden and crisp. Drain them on paper towels and resist the urge to bite into one immediately.
- Bake (if baking):
- Preheat your oven to 425°F, arrange the egg rolls on a parchment lined baking sheet, spray lightly with cooking spray, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. They will not be quite as shatteringly crisp as fried, but they are still delicious and way less messy.
- Air fry (if air frying):
- Set your air fryer to 400°F, place the egg rolls in a single layer without crowding, spray lightly, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning once. This method gives you crispy results without the oil splatter.
- Rest and serve:
- Let the egg rolls cool for about 5 minutes so the filling sets and you do not scald your mouth. Serve them with extra buffalo sauce, ranch, or blue cheese for dipping.
Save These egg rolls have this way of turning any casual hangout into something a little more special. I have served them during football games, movie nights, and once at a birthday party where they upstaged the cake. There is something about pulling apart that crispy shell and getting hit with all that creamy buffalo heat that makes people smile and reach for another one before they have even finished the first.
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How to Store and Reheat
Leftover egg rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in a 375°F oven or air fryer for about 5 to 7 minutes to bring back that crispness. Microwaving will make them soggy, so avoid it unless you are truly desperate and do not care about texture.
Freezing for Later
You can freeze uncooked egg rolls on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag where they will keep for up to 3 months. Cook them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to whichever method you choose. I always keep a stash in the freezer for those nights when I need something impressive but have zero energy to start from scratch.
Serving Suggestions
These egg rolls are perfect on their own, but pairing them with celery and carrot sticks gives you that classic buffalo wing experience. A cold beer or a tangy lemonade cuts through the richness beautifully. If you are feeling fancy, set out little bowls of different dipping sauces and let people mix and match.
- Serve them as an appetizer before a casual dinner or as the main attraction at game day gatherings.
- Pair with a simple green salad to balance out all that cheesy, spicy goodness.
- Try dipping them in honey mustard or sriracha mayo for a fun twist on the usual ranch or blue cheese.
Save Once you make these, you will find yourself inventing excuses to make them again. They are that good, that easy, and that worth every crispy, spicy, cheesy bite.
Questions & Answers
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, assemble uncooked egg rolls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to your preferred cooking method.
- → What's the best way to reheat leftover egg rolls?
Reheat in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes or air fry at 350°F for 4-5 minutes. This helps restore crispiness better than microwaving, which can make them soggy.
- → Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely. Rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time. You'll need about 2 cups of shredded meat from one store-bought chicken.
- → What dipping sauces pair well?
Extra buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, or blue cheese dressing are classic choices. For variety, try honey mustard or a garlic aioli.
- → How can I make these less spicy?
Reduce buffalo sauce to 2 tablespoons or substitute with mild wing sauce. You can also increase ranch dressing to 1/3 cup to balance the heat.
- → Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes. Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes on a parchment-lined sheet, flipping halfway. Lightly coating with cooking spray helps achieve golden color.