Fried Mac & Cheese Bites

If you love crispy, cheesy, and downright addictive snacks, these Fried Mac & Cheese Bites are about to become your new favorite indulgence! These golden, crunchy bites are packed with creamy, cheesy macaroni, coated in a crispy panko crust, and fried to perfection.

Perfect for game nights, parties, or a fun appetizer, these bites combine comfort food nostalgia with a crave-worthy crunch. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces like marinara, ranch, or spicy aioli for the ultimate snack-time experience.

Yield: 20-25 bites

Equipment:

Frying Pan

Pot

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Idle Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

1 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 ¼ cups whole milk
8 ounces cheddar cheese
8 ounces monterey jack cheese
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces elbow macaroni
Coating
⅓ cup all purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon milk
2 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs

Directions:

Boil salted water and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, drain, and set aside.

Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat, stir in flour, and whisk for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.

Gradually add milk, whisking constantly, and cook until thickened (3-4 minutes).
Lower heat, add cheddar, Monterey Jack, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Stir until smooth.

Mix the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce.

Transfer to a shallow dish, let cool to room temperature, and refrigerate until firm (at least 1 hour)

Whisk eggs and 1 tablespoon of milk in a small bowl.
Place panko breadcrumbs and flour in 2 separate bowls.

Roll chilled mac and cheese into 1-2 tablespoon-sized balls.
Dip each ball in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and lastly roll in breadcrumbs. Repeat the flour and egg dip twice before adding to the breadcrumbs for a thicker coating.