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These buffalo chicken poppers are the perfect game day meal. They’re paleo, whole30, and can even be made AIP-friendly.

buffalo chicken poppers on plate with sauce

Buffalo Chicken Poppers

January isn’t even over, and Super Bowl season is already here! Is it just me, or did that go really fast? I feel like I had no time to make the mental transition from reset time back into party food yet. But once I started thinking about all of the yummy super bowl snacks to make, I was ready for it! And what better way to dive into the Super Bowl than with these fun Buffalo Chicken Poppers?

These Buffalo Chicken Poppers are so simple to make, and are easily made Paleo, AIP, and Whole30 friendly. The base of the recipe is just a few simple ingredients, and you’re free to use whatever bufaalo sauce that you’d like to jazz it up – your own sauce, or my homemade AIP version! No nightshades or sugar required if you don’t want them, all while having a perfect meal for game day!

The Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Poppers

For the Chicken Poppers:

  • Sweet Potato
  • Coconut Flour: This binds the poppers.
  • Coconut Oil: You can also sub oils like olive or avocado.
  • Green Onion: you’ll need 2-3 sprigs for this recipe.
  • Garlic Powder & Onion Powder
  • Sea Salt & Black Pepper: Omit pepper for AIP.
  • Buffalo Sauce: For AIP, see the below option instead!

For the AIP Buffalo Sauce:

  • Coconut Cream & Coconut Milk
  • Honey & Coconut Aminos
  • Garlic Powder & Onion Powder
  • Ginger Powder & Turmeric
  • Smoked Salt
  • Horseradish Powder
  • Arrowroot Starch

How To Make Buffalo Chicken Poppers

  • Make Poppers: Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper lightly greased with oil. To make the chicken poppers, combine all of the popper ingredients (reserving 1 tbsp of green onion for topping) in a large mixing bowl and thoroughly mix. Begin rolling the mixture into small, slightly flattened poppers about one inch in diameter (you’ll have about 20-25 poppers) and place them on the baking sheet.
  • Bake Poppers: Place in the oven for 25-28 minutes, flipping halfway through. Crisp further in a pan or place under the broiler if desired for 1-2 minutes to crisp further. Remove from the oven when thoroughly cooked through to 165 F.
  • If you are making AIP buffalo sauce: While the poppers cook, combine the ingredients for the sauce in a pot and whisk well. Cook on the stove on medium heat for 5 minutes, whisking often until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat and separate out about 3-4 tbsp of sauce for dipping if desired.
  • Cool & Serve: Allow the poppers and the sauce to cool slightly before carefully dipping each popper into the sauce until well coated. Serve with extra buffalo sauce and ranch dressing on the side.

buffalo chicken poppers on plate with sauce

What can you serve these with?

You definitely want to serve these with ranch dressing! Some good sides could also be…

Can you use ground turkey instead of chicken?

You can! It works just as well.

Can you freeze these for later? 

Here’s the best method for freezing and defrosting this recipe…

  • Fully cook the chicken poppers (without the sauce) and freeze when cooled.
  • Defrost in the fridge overnight.
  • Reheat under the broiler for a few minutes.
  • Make the sauce fresh and coat in the sauce.

buffalo chicken poppers on plate with sauce

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Buffalo Chicken Poppers (Paleo, Whole30, AIP option)

  • Author: Michelle
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
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Description

These buffalo chicken poppers are the perfect game day meal. They’re paleo, whole30, and can even be made AIP-friendly.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the chicken poppers

  • 2 cups finely shredded sweet potato
  • 1 lb ground chicken (uncooked)
  • 2–3 sprigs green onion (reserve 1 TBSP for topping)
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp coconut flour
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper (omit for AIP)
  • 1/3 cup buffalo sauce (see below for AIP buffalo sauce)

For the AIP buffalo sauce

  • 3 1/2 tbsp coconut cream
  • 2 1/2 tbsp coconut milk
  • 2 1/2 tbsp honey
  • 2 1/2 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp ginger powder
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp smoked salt
  • 1–3 tsp horseradish powder (adjust to taste)
  • 3/4 tsp arrowroot starch

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper lightly greased with oil.
  2. To make the chicken poppers, combine all of the popper ingredients (reserving 1 tbsp of green onion for topping) in a large mixing bowl and thoroughly mix.
  3. Begin rolling the mixture into small, slightly flattened poppers about one inch in diameter (you’ll have about 20-25 poppers) and place them on the baking sheet
  4. Place in the oven for 25-28 minutes, flipping halfway through. Crisp further in a pan or place under the broiler if desired for 1-2 minutes to crisp further. Remove from the oven when thoroughly cooked through to 165 F.
  5. If you are making AIP buffalo sauce: While the poppers cook, combine the ingredients for the sauce in a pot and whisk well. Cook on the stove on medium heat for 5 minutes, whisking often until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat and separate out about 3-4 tbsp of sauce for dipping if desired
  6. Allow the poppers and the sauce to cool slightly before carefully dipping each popper into the sauce until well coated. Serve with extra buffalo sauce and ranch dressing on the side.

Notes

All nutritional information are estimations and will vary. Estimations do not include optional ingredients.

  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 30

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 329
  • Fat: 19.2g
  • Carbohydrates: 18.1g
  • Fiber: 3.9g
  • Protein: 21.8g