Description
Mac and cheese lovers rejoice with these crispy mac and cheese bites, a delightful twist on classic comfort food. Golden brown exteriors crunch perfectly, revealing creamy cheese-laden centers that promise pure deliciousness. You’ll crave these irresistible appetizers at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups mac and cheese (chilled)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 eggs (beaten)
Coating and Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Cooking Ingredient:
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Chill prepared mac and cheese in the refrigerator until firm and moldable.
- Shape chilled mac and cheese into compact, uniform spheres approximately one inch in diameter.
- Arrange mac and cheese spheres on a parchment-lined tray and transfer to freezer for 30 minutes to solidify.
- Combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika in a shallow dish.
- Create a three-stage breading station: one bowl with all-purpose flour, another with whisked eggs, and the third with seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
- Carefully roll each frozen mac and cheese sphere first in flour, ensuring complete coverage and shaking off excess.
- Dunk floured spheres into beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off.
- Roll egg-coated spheres in seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure even, thorough coating.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F, monitoring temperature with a cooking thermometer.
- Gently lower breaded mac and cheese spheres into hot oil, working in small batches to maintain oil temperature.
- Fry for 2-3 minutes, rotating occasionally, until exterior turns golden brown and crispy.
- Remove fried bites using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
- Allow bites to cool slightly, then serve immediately while crisp and warm.
Notes
- Chill mac and cheese thoroughly before forming balls to ensure they hold their shape during frying.
- Use cold, previously prepared mac and cheese for the best texture and easier handling.
- Experiment with different cheese blends to create unique flavor profiles in your mac and cheese balls.
- Keep the oil temperature consistent at 350F to achieve a perfectly crispy exterior without burning the coating.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 325 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg