Jalapeno Cheese Bites (Printable Version)
Golden, crunchy bites with melty cheese, smoky bacon, and spicy jalapeños all packed into one irresistible snack.
# Ingredients:
→ Cheesy Cream Mix
01 -
2 cups of shredded pepper jack cheese
02 -
3 small jalapeños, chopped finely with seeds removed
03 -
8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
04 -
¼ cup of crispy bacon, diced
05 -
2 tablespoons of spicy sriracha
→ Coating Setup
06 -
½ cup of plain flour
07 -
½ cup of panko-style breadcrumbs
08 -
2 large eggs, whisked
09 -
½ cup of classic breadcrumbs
→ Spices & Frying Oil
10 -
Peanut or canola oil, for frying
11 -
¼ teaspoon of finely ground black pepper
12 -
¼ teaspoon of salt
13 -
½ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper
14 -
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
# Steps:
01 -
In a big mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, finely chopped jalapeños, crispy bacon pieces, and sriracha sauce. Stir until everything’s blended smoothly.
02 -
Scoop out the mixture with a spoon, roll them into small balls, and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Chill them in the freezer for half an hour until they’re firm.
03 -
Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with the whisked eggs, and the last one mixing panko, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne.
04 -
In a deep fryer or large pot, heat oil to 350°F. Use a thermometer to keep your oil at the ideal temperature for a good crispiness.
05 -
Take the chilled balls out. Dip each one in flour, cover it in egg, then roll it in the seasoned breadcrumbs until well coated.
06 -
Drop a few balls at a time into the hot oil and fry them for a couple of minutes. They’re ready when they’re crispy and a nice golden color all over.
07 -
Scoop the balls out with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to dab off any leftover grease.
08 -
Leave them for 1-2 minutes so the inside isn’t scalding, and serve immediately while they’re still crunchy and hot.
# Notes:
01 -
Freezing them before frying keeps them from falling apart during cooking.
02 -
Keep the oil around 350°F to get that perfect crunch.
03 -
Prep and bread them ahead, storing in the fridge overnight if needed.
04 -
You can freeze breaded balls for 3 months. Thaw them first before frying.