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fried mac and cheese balls recipe

Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

Angela Sellari
Crisp up homemade Fried Mac and Cheese Balls! This indulgent recipe features gooey cheddar & smoked Gouda for the ultimate cheesy bite.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling + Freezing Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 40 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 559 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk warmed, plus 2 tablespoons for egg wash
  • 1 pound grated smoked Gouda
  • 1 pound grated Cheddar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 cups seasoned bread crumbs
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Marinara or Alfredo sauce to serve

Instructions
 

  • Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside.
    Cooking the creamy cheese sauce for Fried Mac and Cheese Balls in a saucepan.
  • In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour into the butter and stir it with a whisk. Cook for 2 minutes.
  • Whisk the warmed milk into the flour mixture, working out any lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
    Thickening the cheese sauce for Fried Mac and Cheese Balls in a saucepan.
  • Remove from the heat, add the cheeses, and stir until melted and smooth; season with salt and pepper.
    Creamy macaroni and cheese in a saucepan, prepared for Fried Mac and Cheese Balls.
  • Fold the cheese sauce into macaroni.
    Folding the cheese sauce into elbow macaroni for fried mac and cheese balls.
  • Pour the mac and cheese into a shallow pan and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours.
    Shaped Fried Mac and Cheese Balls on a parchment-lined tray, ready for freezing.
  • Shape the cold mac and cheese into meatball-sized balls and place them onto a waxed paper-lined tray. Freeze the balls overnight.
    Fried Mac and Cheese Balls after being breaded, arranged on a white plate.
  • Beat the eggs and 2 tablespoons milk together to form an egg wash. Dip each ball into the wash then into the bread crumbs. Put the balls back into the freezer until you are ready to fry.
    Frying mac and cheese balls in hot oil with a thermometer, turning golden brown.
  • Heat the oil in a deep-fat fryer to 350 degrees F. Fry the mac and cheese balls until they are golden brown and center is hot, about 5 minutes. Serve hot with our favorite Marinara or Alfredo sauce or combination of both for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 559kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 24gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 812mgFiber: 3g
Keyword Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
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