MAC & CHEESE BITES(BALLS) RECIPE

Fried mac and cheese bites are the best of all worlds—creamy and rich, like the classic dish, but crispy finger food.These fried mac and cheese bites are an easy appetizer, perfect for using up leftover mac and cheese or for a party night!Fried mac and cheese balls are great for a party or as a way to use up leftover mac and cheese. The crunchy outside to creamy inside is just delicious.

Start by whipping up the a quick stove top macaroni cheese or best to use some leftover bake macaroni and cheese to scoop into bites, and coat with an egg-and-panko mixture before deep-frying to golden brown and gooey goodness.

Macaroni and Cheese Bite

Deep Fried Mac and Cheese Bites

Fried Cheese Bites

Cook Time:30 mins

Servings:6

Yield:12 pieces

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. elbow macaroni

• 1 tbsp.butter

• 1 c. plus 1 tbsp. all-purpose flour, divided

• 1 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

• 1 1/4 c. whole milk

• 8 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

• 4 oz Italian Cheese Blend

• 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

• 2 oz cream cheese

• 1 tsp. kosher salt

• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

• 1/4 cup creole seasoning

• 3 large eggs

• DivineKuizine Remoulade sauce

Directions:

1. Fill a pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally until macaroni is cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 7 minutes. Drain. Stir in butter, 1/4 cup milk, and cheeses. While macaroni is still hot, stir in Cheddar cheese, cream cheese , and Italian cheese blend, and continue to stir until melted.

2. Place the macaroni and cheese mixture into a container and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours.

3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the macaroni mixture from the refrigerator, and using a spoon or cookie scoop, scoop into balls. in the middle of each ball add additional mozzarella cheese. Place mac balls on the prepared baking sheet and freeze for at least 2 hours.

4. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

5. Make a breading station: Whisk flour with creole seasoning, in a shallow dish; set aside. Beat eggs with 3 in a small bowl and in 3rd have panko bread crumbs. Remove the mac and cheese balls from the freezer, coat in egg mixture, and then dredge in flour and panko breading.

6. Fry the mac balls in hot oil in small batches until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain briefly on a paper towel-lined plate; serve hot.