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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cook until they are golden brown all over, turning frequently.
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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Mac n Cheese Bites
Equipment
- 12 Inch Fry Pan
- 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.
Hi Marianne, just wondering if you have cooked these in oven before instead of frying? Thanks, Megan
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.
Hi! Wondering if these could be quick chilled in the freezer.. thinking of making them for a bday party this afternoon!
Sorry I'm probably a bit late to answer this. I don't see why not. Did you try it? How did it go?
What is the best cheese to use for the mac-n-cheese?
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.