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Switching up Tuesday night with these crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls with Cilantro Lime Ranch. Shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, herbs, and a little cheddar cheese, all rolled up into egg roll wrappers and oven baked. These egg rolls come together in minutes, they’re crunchy on the outside, and spicy and cheesy inside. Serve with the most delicious creamy, salty cilantro lime ranch, and additional buffalo sauce. Great for a fun weeknight dinner plus upcoming game nights too.
I can’t tell you all how long I’ve been meaning to share this recipe with you guys. Are you ready for this? Since the very first day of writing that first blog post on HBH almost eight years ago. Yupp. This recipe is eight years in the making and it’s safe to say I am pretty excited to share it.
These rolls feel almost “retro” to me at this point, very 2012.
Alright, so let me back up. Way back in the day before we even started HBH, I was cooking solely for my family and making the recipes they loved most. Everyone’s favorite dish I made was a good ole’ oven baked buffalo style chicken. To this day, my family members request it whenever we’re all together at home. In an effort to switch things up…and not make the same dinner every single night of the week, I started to get creative and play with the recipes I knew how to make and that everyone loved.
The way I work in the kitchen is pretty simple, open the fridge, take inventory, then create a dish. And that’s pretty much how these rolls came to be. I had egg roll wrappers and chicken. So why not toss the chicken in sauce, add a little cheese, roll them up, and bake until crispy? I didn’t really think much of it at all.
But guys, they were delicious.
Everyone loved them and I made them for most of 2012 on repeat. But then? Something happened and I just stopped making them.
That is until about a month ago when I was brainstorming my end of summer recipes. It’s back to school time, football season, and that transitional time into early fall. It’s the time of year when I’m always thinking back to being a bit younger and the foods I loved that feel homey and comforting.
And then the egg rolls floated into my thoughts and I couldn’t believe I had forgotten all about them.
The funny thing is that these really aren’t anything “new”. My cousin Maggie informed me that a spot in Rocky River, Ohio has fried buffalo chicken egg rolls on their menu. After a google search, you’ll see plenty of recipes for them. But it’s ok! These are my buffalo chicken eggs and they’re darn good. Even lightened up a bit and oven baked.
Great for a game day, but equally great as a fun Tuesday night dinner.
So with that, let’s (finally) get into the details….
I started with shredded cooked chicken. You can either roast, bake, or grill up some chicken breasts. You can also just use leftover chicken. Or simply grab a rotisserie chicken from the store. I happened to have made the rotisserie-style chicken recipe from the HBH Super Simple cookbook the night prior, so I just used that.
Toss the chicken with plain Greek yogurt and a good amount of buffalo sauce. I like to use greek yogurt to keep the rolls creamy, yet on the lighter side. Now toss in some fresh chives, dried herbs, and a handful of cheddar and blue cheese. You don’t need a lot of cheese for these, a little goes a long way!
Next, the wrappers. You need the larger size square egg roll wrappers, which can be found in most grocery stores these days.
Stuff the chicken onto the wrapper and simply roll them up. Easy.
Ok, crucial is a bit dramatic, but just go with me on this.
Instead of frying, which is traditional, I much prefer to oven bake. It’s healthier, easier, and to be honest, I like the flavor so much better. You taste the food, not the fried oil.
Here’s the key, you must rub each roll with olive oil before baking. This is the trick to getting the rolls crispy all around. Once the rolls are oiled, oven bake. Twenty or so minutes later you’ll have crispy, non-fried egg rolls.
I wanted to switch up the ranch a bit, but yet still keep it somewhat classic and make it healthier. Enter the cilantro-lime ranch. It’s delicious, but it’s also not your average ranch.
I used fresh cilantro and plenty of lime in place of the usual herb mix. I also stirred in some garden chives for a little oniony kick. It’s the perfect creamy dip for each cheesy, crispy, crunchy egg roll.
Think spicy crispy rolls, creamy cooling dip. So. Good.
I know times are very odd right now, some schools are starting up, others are going virtual. The NFL season is in limbo (though last I heard, it’s still game on). But, that’s all the more reason to cook up a fun dinner…or appetizer. But honestly, these are hearty enough to call dinner.
And regardless of school or no school, football or no football, these egg rolls are super easy to make and beyond good. And that’s what matters most!
Have fun with these and enjoy!
Looking for other buffalo recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Crispy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad with Goddess Dressing
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken French Bread
Fried Buffalo Goat Cheese Balls
Lastly, if you make these crispy baked buffalo chicken egg rolls with cilantro lime ranch be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
This seems to be a wonderful recipe,looking forward to making them . BUT as a resident of the city which invented”wings” they are NEVER to be served with ranch dressing! BLUE CHEESE ALL THE WAY
Go Bills! ???
Does the baking sheets help with crispness or could I do without? I want to make these tomorrow but don’t have the sheets
Yes, it helps with crispiness, but you should be fine without them! xTieghan
These are AMAZING! I saw the recipe awhile ago but have been procrastinating actually making it because it seemed involved. I found it was actually incredibly easy to make them, hardest part was finding egg roll wraps (got mine at Whole Foods). This was a huge hit for football Sunday and felt healthy while still being really good. Can’t wait to make this next week!
This recipe sounds so yummy! Can’t wait to try it. In your photos there is a second sauce. Is it buffalo sauce or something else?
Thanks!
Hey Jo,
I served with buffalo sauce and ranch. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This recipe looks so fun. I wonder if BBQ sauce could be subbed for the Buffalo, we don’t usually do spicy/hot foods!
Hey Susan,
Yes, BBQ sauce would also be great here! I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Any suggestions for temp/time to make these in the air fryer ? Any tips on freezing them (can I cook them and then freeze them ?)
Hey Erin,
So sorry, I have not tried these in the air fryer so I am unsure of the time and temp but I bet they will work well. I would probably freeze these before baking. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Could you make these ahead by getting through the assembly and then putting them in the fridge on a cookie sheet until ready to bake?
Hey Carrie,
Totally, that will work well for you. I hope this recipe turns out amazing, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
These were super. We love Buffalo anything – the herbs/blend of cheeses and tangy yogurt elevated them. Love that they bake in the oven all at one time and you’re not gluded to the stove frying in batches and splattering oil everywhere. Skipped cilantro ranch for my fav blue cheese, ’cause that how I roll.
Hey Charlotte,
Happy Monday! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xTieghan
Would 1 rotisserie chicken provide enough shredded chicken for the full recipe?
Hey Brian,
Yes, that should be plenty of chicken for the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you need use the yogurt as part of the filling with the chicken? I am dairy free and want to use dairy free Buffalo sauce and it’s creamy.
Hey Maggie,
You could skip the yogurt if your buffalo sauce is already creamy. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
What can you sub for blue cheese?
Hey Dee,
You can skip the blue cheese and use another cheese that you enjoy. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan
Do you think these could work in the air fryer?
Hey Kelly,
Sure, I bet they would work well in the air fryer. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan!
Thank you for sharing this recipe – can’t wait to try it! I’m from Rocky River and curious to know what restaurant you are talking about? 🙂
Hey Elain,
I hope you love the recipe, the restaurant is the Riverwood in Lakewood. xTieghan
These look delicious and all my people love Buffalo anything! Have you tried these in an air fryer?
Hey Becky,
I personally have not tried these in the air fryer, but I bet it would work well for you. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan
I can’t wait to try these next week. I was going to make it for a meal. Do you have any side recommendations for this?
Hey Amber,
I think serving these with cilantro lime rice would be fantastic! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan