I just want to preface this post by saying that this recipe started off completely and wholeheartedly as a joke. I never actually intended to write down a recipe, let alone a whole blog for it. But it honestly turned out so good that I just couldn’t resist sharing it. Now, over the last few weeks, this trending photo of buffalo dino nuggets has been circulating over threads, and some variation of this post has actually gone viral over Twitter and Instagram over the last handful of years, too. So while the story of the photo itself may not be real, I couldn’t help thinking to myself, “these dinosaur nuggets lowkey look incredible”, and later that night, I convinced myself to recreate them at home. While I was taking those first few bites, I knew I had to share it, not just as a joke, but as a legitimate recipe because it’s crispy, buttery, tangy, and the dinosaur shapes just make it so much fun to eat! So whether you came here ironically or because you saw that post too, you’re in the right place.
The photo in question
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Nuggets
12 dino nuggets (Yummy Dino Buddies are my go-to, but Tyson and any store brand work beautifully)
Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut all work great)
For the Buffalo Sauce
1/3 cup Crystal hot sauce (this is non-negotiable for that classic Buffalo flavor)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon honey (optional, but it rounds out the heat beautifully)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for those who want an extra kick)
For the Garnish
Lemon pepper seasoning (be generous, this is what makes the recipe)
Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Dino Nuggets
Fast. Start to finish in 15 minutes, including the sauce
Cheap. A bag of dinosaur nuggets, a bottle of Crystal hot sauce, butter you should already have, and lemon pepper
Genuinely delicious. The lemon-pepper finish over Buffalo sauce is the move. It’s tangy, citrusy, and savory all at once
Crowd pleaser. Adults laugh when you bring them out… Then they eat all of them
No dry chicken. Frozen dino nuggets are already perfectly seasoned and stay juicy. You’re just making them glow up
Buffalo Dino Nuggets
1-2
servings5
minutes10
minutesIngredients
12 12 Dino Nuggets
Oil, For Frying
- Buffalo Sauce:
1/3 cup 1/3 Crystal Hot Sauce
2 tbsp 2 Unsalted Butter
1/2 tsp 1/2 Garlic Powder
1 tbsp 1 Honey, optional
1/4 tsp 1/4 Cayenne Pepper, optional
Directions
- Cook the Dino Nuggets:
- Heat about two inches of vegetable, canola, or peanut oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet to 350F. Drop in your frozen dino nuggets (no need to thaw) and fry for 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack or a paper towel-lined plate to drain, while you make the sauce. Alternatively, feel free to cook the nuggets in the air fryer or oven according to the package instructions. Avoid the microwave, unless you love limp and soggy nuggets
- Make the Buffalo Sauce:
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt your butter. Once it’s fully melted, whisk in the Crystal hot sauce, garlic powder, honey, and cayenne, if using. Let the sauce come together for about a minute, whisking the whole time, until it looks glossy and emulsified. Pull it off the heat
- Toss and Garnish:
- Add your hot, crispy dino nuggets to a large bowl. Pour the buffalo sauce over the top and toss. Sprinkle with lemon-pepper and toss until each nugget is fully coated. Transfer to a serving plate, and garnish with more lemon-pepper and pair with ranch.
- Serve immediately while they’re still hot and crispy. Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @feedthepudge on Instagram and hashtag it with #feedthepudge
If you like this recipe, make sure you pin it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Frank’s RedHot instead of Crystal? You can, and it’ll still be delicious, but it’ll taste more like classic Buffalo, NY-style wings. Crystal gives you that thinner, tangier sauce that’s traditional in Louisiana-style buffalo wings, and it pairs better with the lemon pepper finish.
Can I bake the dino nuggets instead of frying? Absolutely. I personally deep-fried mine for the crispiest result, but baking or air-frying according to the package instructions works great. Just skip the microwave because it makes the breading sad.
Are dino nuggets just for kids? Absolutely not. Dino nuggets are for everyone. The shape is a vibe. The shape is the whole point. Adults who tell you otherwise are lying to themselves.
How spicy is this recipe? Mild to medium. Crystal is on the milder end of hot sauces, and the butter and honey mellow it out further. If you want serious heat, double the cayenne or add a splash of your favorite extra hot sauce.
