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    Home » Recipes » Family Dinners » Mac n Cheese Bites

    Published: Jun 12, 2020 · Modified: Jan 30, 2023 by Marianne Rogerson · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Mac n Cheese Bites

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    These Mac n Cheese Bites are super yummy and a great way to use up leftover mac and cheese. Crisp on the outside, gooey and cheesy in the middle, they make the perfect lunch, snack or appetiser.

    My daughter absolutely loves these fried mac and cheese balls. We first tried them in a restaurant and she immediately insisted we work out how to make them at home.

    Mac n Cheese balls

    Whenever I make mac and cheese for the kids I now make some extra so that we can make up some of these mac n cheese balls the next day.

    But they are so yummy it's worth make up a batch of mac and cheese specially too. You could of course use store bought or packet mac n cheese too.

    If you have a Thermomix, then I totally recommend you use this Mac and Cheese recipe.

    How to Make Mac and Cheese Balls

    Making macaroni cheese balls is super easy.

    Firstly I would recommend making your mac and cheese ahead and keeping it in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. This is why leftovers are so good for mac & cheese balls.

    Macaroni cheese leftovers

    To make the balls of macaroni, I use a cookie scoop, but you could also use a spoon if you don't have one. Then squeeze the mixture together a bit into a ball shape.

    Mac n cheese balls ready for breading

    Next prepare two bowls: One with beaten egg and the other with breadcrumbs, parmesan and seasoning. I like to use panko breadcrumbs as they crisp up nicely, but any breadcrumbs will do.

    Making mac n cheese balls

    To season, I sprinkle in a little garlic salt, pepper and Italian seasoning - but you could also add in other herbs or spices such as paprika or cayenne, depending on your taste.

    Breaded mac n cheese bites

    Once you have your breaded mac and cheese bites, it's time to fry them. Heat some oil in a skillet and pop in the balls - don't crowd the pan, you may need to do them in batches.

    Fried mac n cheese balls in skillet

    Cook until they are golden brown all over, turning frequently.

    pan fried mac and cheese bites in bowl

    These fried mac and cheese bites are best served when still warm, although my daughter happily eats them cold in her lunch box.

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    Did you try this recipe? Please leave me a ⭐ review below!

    Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @mamalovestocookblog and follow along on Pinterest and Facebook! Enjoy!!! 

    Pin it for Later!

     Mac n Cheese Bites Pinterest pin

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    Mac and cheese balls

    Mac n Cheese Bites

    These Mac n Cheese Bites are a great way to use up leftover mac and cheese. Crisp on the outside, gooey and cheesy in the middle, they make the perfect lunch, snack or appetiser.
    4.72 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Family Dinners
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 12 balls
    Calories: 238kcal
    Author: Marianne Rogerson

    Equipment

    • 12 Inch Fry Pan
    • Boxed Grater
    • Balloon Whisk

    Ingredients

    For the Mac n Cheese

    • 1 tablespoon butter (20g)
    • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour (20g)
    • 1 cup milk (200ml)
    • ⅔ cup grated cheese (80g)
    • ½ pound macaroni (250g)

    For the Mac n Cheese Balls

    • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
    • ½ cup grated parmesan
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 2 eggs beaten
    • 1 cup vegetable oil

    Instructions

    For the Mac n Cheese

    • Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat.
    • Stir in the flour.
    • Using a whisk or wooden spoon, gradually add in the milk, stirring all the time.
    • Continue stirring over a medium heat until the mixture has thickened to sauce consistency.
    • Stir in the grated cheese and continue stirring until the cheese has all been incorporated and you have a thick creamy sauce.
    • Meanwhile cook the macaroni according to packet instructions.
    • Drain the cooked macaroni and return to saucepan.
    • Stir in the cheese sauce to the macaroni. Place in a bowl in the refrigerator for a few hours, or overnight.

    To make the Mac n Cheese Bites

    • Use a cookie scoop to scoop out balls of the chilled mac and cheese. Use your hands to shape and squeeze them gently into balls.
    • Take two bowls. In one bowl mix together the breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic salt and Italian seasoning. Beat the eggs in the other bowl.
    • Take each mac n cheese ball and dip into the egg, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture until well coated. Set aside.
    • Once all your balls are ready, heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over a medium heat. Place the balls into the hot oil and cook until golden brown all over, turning frequently. Don't overcrowd the pan; you may need to do this in batches.
    • Place fried mac n cheese balls on a piece of kitchen paper until ready to serve.

    Video

    Notes

    If you have a Thermomix, you can make the cheese sauce in the Thermomix very easily. Follow the instructions in our Mac and Cheese recipe.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4g | Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 150mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @mamalovestocookblog or tag #mamalovestocook!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Megan says

      September 03, 2020 at 5:10 am

      Hi Marianne, just wondering if you have cooked these in oven before instead of frying? Thanks, Megan

      Reply
      • MamaLovesToCook says

        September 04, 2020 at 3:00 am

        Hi Megan. I haven't tried it actually, but I do put chicken tenders and nuggets in the oven with a similar coating, so I don't see why they wouldn't work. Maybe spray them with a little oil before you put them in.

        Reply
    2. Stacey says

      November 28, 2020 at 3:35 pm

      Hi! Wondering if these could be quick chilled in the freezer.. thinking of making them for a bday party this afternoon!

      Reply
      • MamaLovesToCook says

        December 07, 2020 at 11:15 pm

        Sorry I'm probably a bit late to answer this. I don't see why not. Did you try it? How did it go?

        Reply
    3. Tory says

      February 12, 2022 at 4:30 pm

      What is the best cheese to use for the mac-n-cheese?

      Reply
      • Marianne Rogerson says

        February 14, 2022 at 2:16 am

        Hi Tory - I always use cheddar - depending on how strong you like the cheese taste to be you could use a stronger flavor cheddar and/or add some parmesan.

        Reply

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