Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites
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Extra creamy, extra cheesy and extra flavorful – these Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites (Fried Cheese Balls) are PERFECT for game day snacking and entertaining! Quick and easy, and can be frozen for later too. Gluten free options also included.
Ingredients
  • Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites
  • ▢4 oz cream cheese softened
  • ▢4 oz mozzarella cheese shredded from a block (please see notes)
  • ▢4 oz white cheddar shredded from a block (or monterey jack cheese)
  • ▢2 - 3 jalapenos seeds removed, chopped finely (about ½ cup)
  • ▢6 oz of bacon sliced finely and cooked to crispy bits
  • ▢1 tbsp hot sauce
  • ▢Salt to season
  • Dredging Station
  • ▢Spiced flour mix recipe below
  • ▢2 eggs
  • ▢1 ½ - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs or gluten free breadcrumbs
  • Spiced Flour Mix
  • ▢½ cup AP flour or gluten free flour
  • ▢½ tsp paprika
  • ▢½ tsp onion powder
  • ▢½ tsp garlic powder
  • ▢½ tsp salt
  • ▢Oil for deep frying
Instructions
  1. Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites
  2. Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine well. Add salt to season ONLY if needed. I add extra hot sauce, and usually don't need to add extra salt.
  3. Using a spoon, portion out the cheese mix and make 1 inch balls. Place the balls on a tray, and freeze for about 10 - 15 minutes until they are firm (but not frozen). You can keep them covered in the fridge overnight as well.
  4. Get the dredging station ready. Mix all the ingredients for the spiced flour mix. Lightly whisk the eggs, and place the panko crumbs in a plate.
  5. Coat the chilled cheese balls in the spiced flour mix, and then coat with eggs, followed by the flour again, and the egg mix again, for a double coating. This created an extra crunchy coating (flour - egg - flour - egg).
  6. Finally coat the cheese balls with the panko crumbs and set aside until all the cheese balls are coated.
  7. At this stage, you can place the cheese balls in the fridge overnight (in a single layer, on a tray, covered with plastic wrap) until you are ready to fry them and serve. OR you can freeze them as well. However, if you do freeze them, allow the cheese balls to thaw in the fridge overnight before frying.
  8. Heat enough oil to deep fry the cheese balls, to 350°F/180°C. Deep fry, without over-crowding the pan, for about 1 - 1 ½ minutes.
  9. Remove the cheese balls from the oil and let them drain for a couple of minutes. Serve warm with dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Recipe by The Best Video Recipes for All at https://recipes-for-all.com/crispy-cheese-jalapeno-bacon-bites/