🧀🔥 Homemade Fried Cheese Bites 🍽️✨
These crispy, gooey cheese bites are the ultimate snack or appetizer! Perfect for dipping in marinara, ranch, or your favorite sauce. They’re super easy to make and incredibly addictive!
🛒 Ingredients:
✔ 8 oz block of mozzarella cheese (or your favorite cheese: cheddar, pepper jack, etc.)
✔ 1 cup all-purpose flour
✔ 2 large eggs
✔ 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
✔ 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crispiness)
✔ 1/2 tsp garlic powder
✔ 1/2 tsp onion powder
✔ 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
✔ 1/2 tsp salt
✔ 1/4 tsp black pepper
✔ Vegetable or canola oil (for frying)
✔ Marinara sauce or ranch (for dipping, optional)
🔥 Instructions:
1. Prep the Cheese
1️⃣ Cut the cheese block into bite-sized cubes (~1-inch pieces).
2️⃣ Place the cheese bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them for at least 30 minutes (this prevents them from melting too fast when frying).
2. Set Up the Breading Station
1️⃣ In one shallow bowl, add the flour.
2️⃣ In a second bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth.
3️⃣ In a third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, panko, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. Bread the Cheese Bites
1️⃣ Take each frozen cheese bite and coat it in the flour.
2️⃣ Dip it into the egg wash, ensuring full coverage.
3️⃣ Roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to make it stick.
4️⃣ For extra crispiness, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating (double breading makes them extra crispy!).
4. Fry Until Golden
1️⃣ Heat oil (about 2 inches deep) in a heavy-bottomed skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
2️⃣ Fry a few cheese bites at a time for 30-45 seconds, or until golden brown.
3️⃣ Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate.
4️⃣ Let them cool for a minute (they will be HOT inside!).
🍽️ Serve & Enjoy!
Serve immediately with warm marinara, ranch, or honey mustard for dipping.
💡 Pro Tip:
For a fun twist, try using different cheeses like gouda, pepper jack, or cheddar!
If you don’t want to fry, you can air fry at 375°F for 5-7 minutes until crispy!
Enjoy your homemade fried cheese bites—cheesy, crispy, and oh-so-delicious! 🧀🔥😋