Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

Mac and cheese balls are a fun, delicious finger food. This mac takes cheese to the max with 3 kinds, then gets breaded and fried to golden goodness.

• Preparation Time: 40 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 543 Calories

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 1 (7.25 ounce) package macaroni and cheese mix
• 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
• 4 cups peanut oil for frying, or as needed
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.25 cup milk
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon white sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.75 cup pimento cheese spread

Recipe Instructions

Step 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 cheese packet from the macaroni and cheese package.

Step 2

While macaroni is still hot, stir in Cheddar cheese, pimento cheese spread, and Italian cheese blend, and continue to stir until melted.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the macaroni mixture from the refrigerator, and using a cookie scoop, scoop into balls. Place mac balls on the prepared baking sheet and freeze for at least 2 hours.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Gather the ingredients.

Step 7

Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Make a breading station: Whisk bread crumbs with paprika, chili powder, black pepper, sugar, salt, and cayenne in a shallow dish; set aside. Beat eggs with 3 tablespoons milk in a small bowl. Remove the mac balls from the freezer, coat in egg mixture, and then dredge in breading.