Picture this: it’s Friday, the kids are hangry, and you’re craving chaos-but-make-it-cheesy. These Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns are lighting up Pinterest and group chats everywherebecause, yes, we’re stuffing buttery buns with crispy chicken and molten cheese like it’s 1999.
This cozy homemade snack is basically what would happen if Ramen Chicken met up with its crunchy BFF Doritos Chicken inside a soft dinner roll. You’ll need a few pantry staples, melted cheese, and that spicy-sweet sauce we all swoon for. Full details in the blog!
We made a chicken version of this for my niece’s sleepover and the chaos was REAL (chips in hair, someone tried to grill a marshmallow on the stovetop). But listenI tested it. You’ll love the secret that takes this humble chicken starter into snack hero status.
These Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns are easy to make and irresistibly flavorful. Perfect as a snack or meal, they combine a soft dough with a spicy chicken mixture and a cheesy topping. Enjoy a unique twist on classic chicken recipes with a hint of heat and richness.
Ingredients
Scale
75 ml water
200 ml milk
15 g honey
9 g instant yeast
1 egg
30 ml sunflower oil
600 g flour
8 g salt
25 g butter
40 g Parmesan cheese
2 g cayenne powder
1.5 g onion powder
1 g black pepper powder
700 g chicken filet
5 g salt
3 g onion powder
3 g garlic powder
4 g cayenne powder
1.5 g black pepper powder
15 g sambal oelek
10 ml soy sauce
1 egg
milk
150 g cornstarch
2 g salt
1.5 g black pepper powder
3 g onion powder
120 g mayonnaise
75 g chili sauce
20 g sambal oelek
Instructions
Prepare the dough by mixing water, milk, honey, instant yeast, egg, sunflower oil, flour, salt, and butter. Knead well and let it rise for about 1 hour.
While the dough rises, mix chicken filet with salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne powder, black pepper powder, sambal oelek, soy sauce, and egg to create the chicken mixture.
Prepare the cornstarch mixture by combining cornstarch, salt, black pepper powder, and onion powder. Coat the chicken pieces in this mixture.
Roll out the risen dough, fill it with the chicken mixture, and shape into buns.
Mix Parmesan cheese, cayenne powder, onion powder, and black pepper powder to create the topping, and sprinkle over the buns.
Bake the buns in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for about 25 minutes until golden brown.
Mix mayonnaise, chili sauce, and sambal oelek to prepare the sauce served on the side.
Serve the buns warm with extra milk to brush if desired for a shiny finish.
Notes
For extra kick, adjust the amount of sambal oelek according to your spice preference
These buns are delicious served fresh but can be reheated while retaining their softness
Prep Time:40 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Category:Snack
Method:Baked
Cuisine:Fusion
Nutrition
Serving Size:1 bun
Calories:320 kcal
Sugar:3g
Sodium:450mg
Fat:15g
Saturated Fat:5g
Unsaturated Fat:8g
Trans Fat:0g
Carbohydrates:28g
Fiber:1g
Protein:20g
Cholesterol:75mg
Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns
Let’s be real: these buns are the snack/dinner hybrid you didn’t know you needed. Here’s why they’ll be a hit in your kitchen:
Nostalgic and fun: Think cozy comfort vibes, but with a crispy, spicy twist. Perfect for gatherings or game nights.
Beginner-friendly: The recipe might look fancy, but it’s just simple steps with pantry basics. No crazy chef skills needed!
Customizable: You can tweak the spices, sauce, or even go heavy (or lighter) on the gooey cheese factor.
Portable: These little bundles make an excellent addition to picnics, potlucks, or school lunches.
Breaking Down the Key Ingredients
Let’s take a closer look at what makes these buns tick. The ingredients are simple yet mighty, giving us that irresistible blend of flavor and texture.
The Dough: Soft, buttery, with a slight sweetness from honey. It wraps around the chicken like the world’s tastiest hug.
The Chicken Mixture: A flavorful fusion of sambal oelek’s heat, soy sauce’s umami, and a crispy coating that’ll make you think “Doritos Chicken” but homemade.
The Sauce: Mayo and chili sauce come together with sambal for a creamy, spicy finish. This is the dynamite touch that lives up to the name.
Ingredient Group
Key Usage
Swaps
Dough
Soft and buttery base
Butter for olive oil; milk for almond milk
Chicken Mixture
Spiced, crispy filling
Cayenne for paprika; sambal for sriracha
Sauce
Spicy, creamy topping
Sambal oelek for hot sauce
Step-by-Step: Making Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns
Ready to make magic? Here’s how to pull it all together, step by step:
Start with the dough: Mix water, milk, honey, and yeast. Let it foam while you gather the other dough ingredients. Then combine, knead, and let it riseit’s nap time for the dough!
Prep the chicken: Dice chicken filets, toss them with spices, sambal, soy sauce, and an egg. Coat in the cornstarch mixture for that crispy “battered chicken” texture later.
Cook and Assemble: Fry the chicken pieces until golden and crisp. Set them aside to cool slightly while you divide and roll out the dough into small circles.
Stuff and shape: Add chicken, sauce, and a sprinkle of Parmesan to each circle. Pinch and seal the dough like little packages of joy.
Bake to perfection: Brush the buns with milk, sprinkle with the cayenne-Parmesan topping, and bake in a preheated oven. Be prepared for the cheesy, spicy aroma to fill your kitchen!
Step Name
Key Timing
Notes
Dough Rising
1-1.5 hours
Let rise in a warm spot
Chicken Coating
10 minutes
Don’t skip the cornstarchit’s essential for crispiness!
Baking
15-20 minutes
Keep an eye out to avoid “burnt chicken.”
Troubleshooting and Swaps
Even the best home cooks hit a bump in the road! Here are a few tips to help if things go haywire:
Sticky dough? Add a dusting of flour, tablespoon by tablespoon, until it’s manageable.
Soggy chicken? Increase your frying oil temperature slightly or ensure the batter is thick enough before frying.
No sambal oelek? Replace with your favorite chili paste or hot sauce.
Low on time? You can use pre-cooked chicken fingers or shredded chicken and focus on the dough and sauce instead.
Serving & Storage Tips
These buns are best enjoyed fresh, when that cheese pull is in its prime. But if you have leftovers (unlikely!), here’s how to handle them:
Storing: Place buns in an airtight container or zip-top bag. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Pop them in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes for that freshly baked feel.
Freezing: Freeze unbaked buns on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozenjust add 5 extra minutes.
Storage Method
Duration
Reheating Suggestion
Fridge
Up to 3 days
Oven at 350°F for 5-7 mins
Freezer
Up to 3 months
Bake from frozen, +5 mins
Expert Insight: Crafting the Perfect Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns
Cheesy dynamite chicken buns balance bold flavors with comforting textures, a technique rooted in layering moisture and cheese for optimal melt and bite. Achieving the right dough elasticity ensures the buns remain soft yet sturdy enough to hold the spicy filling without sogginess, making each bite as satisfying as intended.
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Perfecting My Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns
These Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns took several rounds to nail down. At first, I underestimated how much cheese to fold in, ending up with a gooey mess. After trial and error, I finally found the balance that melts just right without spilling everywherea real win born from a bit of kitchen chaos and patience.
FAQs ( Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns )
What makes Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns “dynamite”?
The “dynamite” in Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns comes from the explosive combination of spicy mayo, melted cheese, and perfectly seasoned chicken. This popular fusion dish originated from Japanese-style dynamite sauce, which features a creamy, spicy kick that transforms ordinary chicken into something spectacular. The heat level can be adjusted to your preference, making it as mild or fiery as you like. It’s the perfect balance of creamy, cheesy, and spicy that creates that signature “wow” factor in every bite.
Can I use chicken fingers instead of regular chicken pieces?
Absolutely! Chicken fingers work wonderfully for Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns and are actually a popular choice. Pre-cooked or frozen chicken fingers can save you time, while fresh chicken fingers give you more control over seasoning and texture. Simply slice or chop the chicken fingers into bite-sized pieces that fit well in your buns. This substitution is perfect for busy weeknight dinners or when you want to simplify the cooking process without sacrificing flavor.
What type of buns work best for this recipe?
Brioche buns are the gold standard for Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns because they’re sturdy enough to hold all the cheesy, saucy goodness without falling apart. Hawaiian sweet rolls also work beautifully, adding a subtle sweetness that complements the spicy dynamite sauce. Regular hamburger buns or even toasted sourdough slices can work in a pinch. The key is choosing a bun that can handle moisture from the sauce while providing a good texture contrast to the tender chicken and melted cheese.
How long do Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns stay fresh?
These buns are best enjoyed immediately after preparation for optimal texture and flavor. However, you can store assembled buns in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, though the buns may become slightly soggy from the sauce. For meal prep, it’s better to store the dynamite chicken mixture separately and assemble fresh buns when ready to eat. The chicken mixture itself can last 3-4 days refrigerated and reheats beautifully in the microwave or oven.
Are Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns good as chicken starter recipes for parties?
Yes! Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns make excellent chicken starter recipes for parties and gatherings. You can prepare mini versions using slider buns for easy one-handed eating, or serve the dynamite chicken mixture in small bowls with toasted bread pieces for dipping. They’re crowd-pleasers because the flavors are bold and satisfying, plus they’re easy to customize for different spice preferences. Consider making a large batch since these tend to disappear quickly at parties – the combination of cheese, spice, and tender chicken is absolutely irresistible.
Final Thoughts on Your Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns
You’ll love how these Cheesy Dynamite Chicken Buns come together in under an hour soft, gooey, with just the right kick of spice. Perfectly crispy from that “battered chicken” coating, they’re a cozy homemade treat that feels fancy but is totally doable.
Try swapping sambal for sriracha if you like it milder, or add shredded cheese for extra goo. A quick tip from a baking pro: let your dough rest a little longer if it’s stubborn, it makes all the difference. Leftovers reheat beautifully, so don’t be shy about doubling the batch!
If you give these a whirl, snap a pic or share your favorite twist below. Did this remind you of your go-to chicken starter recipes? Pass it on to family and friends these buns are pure kitchen comfort that’ll bring everyone back for seconds.
Sharing a handpicked collection of easy, healthy recipes made in our family kitchen. Rachel brings comforting classics, while Emily adds fresh, modern ideas together creating meals that are simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.
