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Easy Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

Crispy, golden brown fried macaroni bites featuring a rich cheddar center wrapped in a crunchy panko breadcrumb coating. Perfect for utilizing leftover pasta into a fun family favorite appetizer.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups leftover macaroni and cheese Must be chilled and firm
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese For extra melt factor
  • 2 large eggs Beaten smoothly
  • 1.5 cups Panko breadcrumbs Provides maximum external crunch
  • 4 cups vegetable oil For deep frying process

Equipment

  • 1 Cookie Scoop For measuring portions
  • 1 Saucepan To hold frying oil
  • 3 Shallow bowls For breading setup

Method
 

  1. Stir the extra shredded cheddar cheese thoroughly into your cold leftover macaroni mixture until evenly distributed.
  2. Scoop the cold pasta using a cookie scoop and compress firmly into tight dense spheres.
  3. Arrange the shaped spheres onto a lined sheet pan and freeze for thirty minutes until solid.
  4. Whisk the large eggs in a wide shallow bowl until completely fluid and uniform.
  5. Pour the crisp panko breadcrumbs into a separate wide dish next to your egg wash station.
  6. Roll each frozen pasta sphere directly into the egg mixture until completely wet on all sides.
  7. Dredge the wet sphere thoroughly inside the breadcrumbs pressing gently so the coating sticks securely.
  8. Fry the breaded portions inside hot oil for four minutes until deep golden brown throughout.

Notes

Always freeze the shaped macaroni portions completely solid prior to cooking to prevent them from breaking apart in the hot frying oil.