Fried Macaroni Cheese Balls (Printable)
Crispy macaroni balls with creamy cheddar, served hot alongside tangy marinara dipping sauce.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Macaroni and Cheese
01 - 7 oz elbow macaroni
02 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
05 - 1 cup whole milk
06 - 1/2 tsp salt
07 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
08 - 1/4 tsp paprika
→ Breading
09 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
10 - 2 large eggs
11 - 2 tbsp milk
12 - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Vegetable oil for frying
→ Marinara Sauce
15 - 1 1/2 cups jarred or homemade marinara sauce, warmed
# How-To Steps:
01 - Cook elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually add milk while whisking constantly. Cook 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens.
03 - Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar, salt, pepper, and paprika until melted and smooth. Fold in cooked macaroni. Spread on tray and refrigerate minimum 1 hour until firm.
04 - Scoop chilled mixture into 1.5-inch balls, pressing firmly. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze 30 minutes until solid.
05 - Arrange three shallow bowls: flour in first, beaten eggs whisked with milk in second, panko mixed with Parmesan in third.
06 - Coat each ball in flour, dip in egg mixture, then press into panko-Parmesan blend. Ensure complete coverage.
07 - Heat 2 inches vegetable oil to 350°F. Fry balls in batches 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, until deep golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
08 - Arrange hot cheese balls on serving platter. Accompany with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- They turn yesterday's leftovers into today's crowd-pleasing appetizer
- The contrast between the crunchy exterior and molten cheese center is absolutely addictive
02 -
- The chilling step is not optional, and I learned this the hard way when my first batch fell apart in the hot oil
- Your oil must be at the right temperature, or the balls will either absorb too much oil or burn before the inside heats through
03 -
- Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain your oil temperature, as the temp drops when you add cold balls
- Scoop and portion all the balls before you start breading to ensure consistent sizing