Alright, let’s talk about something that combines two major comfort foods—buffalo chicken and mac & cheese—and then wraps it all up into one epic little pinwheel.
These are cheesy, spicy, creamy, and baked into golden, bite-sized perfection. Perfect for game day, parties, or even just a fun family dinner where the kids won’t even think to argue.
🧡 Why I Love This Recipe
This recipe is a total crowd-pleaser at my house. It’s one of those “eat one and suddenly half the tray is gone” kind of situations. It also comes with this nostalgic, cozy feeling of game days and movie nights.
- Combines the best parts of buffalo chicken dip and creamy mac & cheese
- Kid-friendly but with a little grown-up heat
- Portable, dippable, and perfect for sharing
- Great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken
🍴Servings and Time
- Makes: 12–16 pinwheels
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
🛒 What You’ll Need
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie works great!)
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup buffalo sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 refrigerated pizza dough roll (or crescent dough sheet)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Optional: ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping
- Chopped parsley for garnish
🔧 Tools You’ll Need
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Knife or pizza cutter
- Pastry brush
👩🍳 Pro Tips
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time—super juicy and already seasoned.
- Don’t overfill the dough or it’ll spill out when baking.
- Chill the rolled dough before slicing for cleaner cuts.
- Add a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles for a flavor boost.
- Kids not into spicy? Cut the buffalo sauce in half and add more cheese.
🔁 Substitutions & Variations
- Swap out cheddar for mozzarella, pepper jack, or colby jack.
- Use crescent roll sheets if you can’t find pizza dough.
- Sub BBQ sauce for buffalo for a totally different vibe.
- Add a little ranch powder to the mac for extra zing.
⏰ Make-Ahead Tips
You can fully assemble the pinwheels, wrap them in plastic, and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Great for prepping ahead of a party!
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the cheese sauce
Melt 1 tbsp butter in a saucepan, whisk in 1 tbsp flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in 1 cup milk. Stir until it thickens (about 3–5 min). Add 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until smooth.
2. Add chicken, buffalo sauce, and pasta
Add 2 cups shredded chicken, 2 cups cooked elbow macaroni, and ¼ cup buffalo sauce to the cheese sauce. Mix until everything’s coated. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Roll it up
Unroll your pizza dough on parchment. Spread the buffalo mac-n-cheese evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border. Carefully roll it up like a cinnamon roll.
4. Slice into pinwheels
Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice the log into 1-inch pinwheels. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Brush with egg wash and bake
Brush the tops with beaten egg. Bake at 375°F for 18–22 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
6. Garnish and serve
Let cool slightly. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best texture (microwave works, but they’ll be softer). You can also freeze the unbaked slices for later!
🍽 What to Serve With
- Crunchy celery sticks (classic!)
- Carrot sticks with ranch dip
- A simple side salad
- Potato wedges or sweet potato fries
❓FAQ
Can I make these less spicy?
Yep! Just use less buffalo sauce or mix with a bit of ranch.
Can I freeze them?
Totally. Freeze before baking, then bake straight from frozen—just add 5-8 more minutes.
Do I have to use pizza dough?
Nope, crescent dough or puff pastry also works great!
👋 Wrap-Up
I hope you give these Buffalo Chicken Mac-n-Cheese Pinwheels a try! They’re a total win for parties, picky eaters, or just when you’re craving something fun and cheesy. Leave a comment and let me know how it goes—or if you tried a fun twist!
Happy baking! 💛