Fried Mac and Cheese Bites
These fried mac and cheese bites feature a rich, creamy mac and cheese filling loaded with bacon, jalapenos, and more cheese is rolled into balls, coated with a seasoned panko breading, and fried to crispy perfection!
Servings: 34 Bites
Calories: 287kcal
Ingredients
Macaroni and Cheese Bites
- 8 cups prepared macaroni and cheese
- 1 ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 jalapenos, stem and seeds removed, diced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 12 ounce bacon, cooked until crispy, crumbled
Crispy Coating
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs, crushed
- 2 teaspoons Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1-2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with paper towels and place a baking rack on top. Set aside.
Macaroni and Cheese Bites
- Make the mac and cheese according to package directions. Let cool.
- Cook and crumble bacon, set aside.
- In a large bowl, add mac and cheese, whisked eggs, green onions, jalapenos, cheese and crumbled bacon. Stir to combine.
- Scoop macaroni mixture into 1-inch balls. Make sure they are tightly rolled up so they don’t fall apart.
- Flash freeze for 30 minutes.
Crispy Coating
- While the mac and cheese bites are in the freezer, set up a dredging station with 3 shallow containers.
- In the first container, add flour.
- The second container, add buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce. Whisk together.
- In the third container add breadcrumbs and all the seasonings for the coating.
- Heat oil over medium high heat.
- Add each ball into the flour, then into the egg mixture, and then into the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place about 6-8 balls into the hot oil and deep fry until golden on all sides.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a prepared baking sheet with a wire rack.
- Make sure to work in batches so the oil keeps the perfect temperature.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Tips
- Fry your bacon over medium heat. This allows it to get nice and crispy without burning.
- Be gentle when mixing your bite filling. You want to keep your noodles as intact as possible.
- When flash freezing the filling, line your baking sheet with wax paper, not parchment paper to ensure the balls are easily removed.
- Be sure your oil is hot before frying. If the oil isn't hot enough, your bites will be soggy rather than crispy.
- Fry your bites in small batches to ensure the oil stays nice and hot.
Nutritional values are approximate.
Please note that these values can change with different brands and any modifications made to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements.
Nutrition
Calories: 287kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 677mg | Potassium: 195mg | Vitamin A: 194IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 2mg