Salty, creamy, crispy, cheesy, this easy game day appetizer isn’t just the sum of football food greats (bacon! Buffalo chicken! chips! CHEESE!): it is EVERYTHING that game day eating should be, in one delicious bite!
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The only thing faster than making this game day appetizer is how quickly it disappears.
Salty potato chips smothered in melty cheddar, Buffalo chicken, and smoky bacon, all drizzled with a creamy ranch sauce, this appetizer is over-the-top in the unapologetic way that game day food is meant to be.
The original version of this appetizer called for regular potato chips and yellow cheddar, and while it’s certainly tasty that way, I am super partial to sweet potato chips instead.
Their sweetness pairs with and perfectly offsets the heat from the Buffalo chicken, and as these Sweet Potato Bites with Bacon attest, bacon and sweet potatoes are flavor besties.
Since you’ll be making Buffalo chicken anyway, I highly recommend adding Buffalo Chicken Sliders and/or Buffalo Chicken Pizza to your menu too. “There’s too much Buffalo chicken at this game day party” said no one, ever!
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.
- Sweet Potato Chips. You could use regular potato chips, but as mentioned above, I think sweet potato chips vibe better with the ingredients here—and they’re also a little sturdier to hold up to all the toppings.
- Cheddar Cheese. Sharp white cheddar cheese brings all the sassy flavor.
- Shredded Chicken. I like to use this Crockpot Shredded Chicken.
- Buffalo Sauce. I use Sweet Baby Ray’s.
- Ranch Dressing. I use Ken’s Ranch Dressing, but you could use my Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip and thin it out a bit so it’s drizzle-able.
- Bacon. This Air Fryer Bacon is EASY.
- Chives or Green Onions. For garnish.
How to Make Game Day Crack
Spread the Chips on a Baking Sheet. You want them overlapping a little, but not in a giant pile.
Layer on the Cheese. We’re using a whole 8-ounce block of sharp cheddar. I like white for the color contrast.
Mix Up the Buffalo Chicken. I start with my easy Shredded Chicken recipe. Add Buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.
Layer It Up. Scatter on the Buffalo chicken, then the bacon.
Bake. Just until the cheese is nice and melty, about 5 minutes or so.
Drizze and Devour. Add more ranch on top, some chives for color, and then watch it disappear.
More Easy Game Day Recipes
Game Day Crack
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Ingredients
- 5-ounce bag sweet potato chips
- 8-ounce block sharp white cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
- 3 tablespoons Sweet Baby Ray’s Buffalo Sauce
- ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon Ken's Ranch Dressing plus additional dipping
- 6 strips cooked bacon roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon milk of choice
- Thinly sliced chives or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 425°F.
- Spread the sweet potato chips out onto a large baking sheet so that they are slightly overlapping. Sprinkle generously with the cheese.
- In a small bowl, combine the chicken, Buffalo sauce, and 1 tablespoon ranch, stirring so the chicken is evenly coated and the sauces are combined. Sprinkle evenly over the cheese.
- Sprinkle on the bacon, the place the pan in the oven and bake until the cheese is hot and melted. Remove from the oven and let cool a few minutes to set.
- In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup ranch with 1 teaspoon of milk, so the dressing is still thick and creamy but drizzleable.
- Drizzle the chips with the thinned ranch, then sprinkle with chives. Enjoy hot, dipped in more ranch.
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We absolutely loved it!
Yay! Thank you Danielle!