Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

Mac and Cheese Balls are crispy on the outside, cheesy and creamy on the inside which makes them the ultimate comfort food! An easy and delicious appetizer that is a great way to use up leftover macaroni and cheese.

Trust me when I say this, these are not like the mac and cheese bites I have had in a restaurant. This homemade version is 1000 TIMES BETTER. And let me show you why!

First off…

What are Mac and Cheese Balls?

Besides being tiny bite size bundles of cheesy goodness, of course. Seriously, they are the most delicious way to use up leftover macaroni and cheese.

Imagine scoops of creamy mac n cheese, rolled in Panko crumbs, and deep fried until they are a crispy, golden brown on the outside, and warm and gooey on the inside.

That’s these all right! Drooling now are we?

I can’t resist anything deep fried and cheesy, how about you? Some of my favorite appetizers include these cheeseburger egg rolls, this rotel dip, and these mini Big Mac sliders.

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Ingredients Needed

Macaroni and Cheese – I like to use my favorite mac and cheese and make a double batch so I have leftovers.

Shredded Cheese – I prefer to use mozzarella as it melts the best.

Eggs – Large eggs are the perfect size.

Panko – Feel free to use your favorite breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs.

Now that we are hungry and drooling, let’s make some!

What cheeses are in mac and cheese bites?

Aside from what’s already in the leftovers, I like to add a little American or mozzarella. Just to make sure that there is enough cheese.

I want it to really stretch when I bite into one.

How to make Fried Mac and Cheese Bites

First: In a bowl, combine the leftover cold mac and cheese and the extra cheese. Scoop into 1.5 inch balls and place on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Freeze for 15 minutes.

Second: Beat two eggs in a bowl with a little water. In a separate bowl, add the Panko crumbs. Remove the balls from the freezer, dip the balls into the egg wash, roll in Panko to completely coat, and place back on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining balls.

Third: Return the balls to the freezer while you heat the oil to 375F. When the oil is ready, fry the balls 3 to 4 at a time for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Fourth: Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Can you bake them?

Yes you can! If you don’t feel like breaking out the vegetable oil, you can bake them in the oven at 375 for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Just spritz with cooking spray before baking.

If that’s too much, you can also air fry them at 360F for 8-10 minutes.

How do you reheat them?

Bake in the oven at 400F for 5 minutes or place back in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350 to reheat.

How do you cook frozen mac and cheese bites?

For cooking in the oven from frozen, place on a baking sheet and bake at 400F for 18-20 minutes or until the internal temp is 160F.

I would not recommend microwaving these.

For more insider tips & tricks, and a candid behind the scenes look follow me on social media! Check use out on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (yes, people still use Twitter, LOL!)

Tapas Tips & Tricks

• I like to use Panko crumbs but feel free to use crackers, potato chips, or regular bread crumbs.
• When buying your cheese, opt for some from the deli or buy it in a block and grate yourself. The pre-shredded kind has other stuff in it which keeps it from melting.
• Want them a little richer? Add 2 tablespoons melted butter to the mixture.
• Chill or freeze the balls completely before frying. This will help them hold their shape.
• Make sure your oil is the correct temperature of 350 degrees F before frying. Too low and the oil will be absorbed, making them greasy. Too high and they will burn before the middle gets hot. Start at 375F to allow for a little temp drop when you start adding the frozen balls to it.

What dipping sauces go with them?

I like a spicy marinara sauce, but homemade salsa, Ranch, and BBQ sauce all taste delicious with these.

Freaky Friday is a quarterly blog hop, started and coordinated by Michaela at An Affair From the Heart. The event is where a group of bloggers are randomly assigned another blog, you make one of their recipes (with a twist if you want), and share it with your readers.

Some of my past Freaky Friday recipes include this indulgent Creamy Corn Dip, these Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, and these Spicy Taco Tater Tots.

I love looking at all the other participant’s blogs and trying to figure out who got me, what they made, and how they added their own spin on it!

This round I got my friend Brandi’s Blog – Aunt Bee’s Recipes. I was so excited because I haven’t had her yet and have been itching to make something of hers! I’ve known Brandi from the interweb for a while now and I look forward to her comforting recipes every week.

A self taught cook, Brandi loves collecting cookbooks (like me!) and enjoys feeding her BUSY and HUNGRY family. Her dishes are easy and always a hit.

She has the best dips like this Southwest Bean Dip and her Chicken Fajita Sliders are always gobbled up quickly.

Check out all my Dips and Spreads to add to your party menu!

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

These deep fried mac and cheese balls are a great way to use up leftover mac and cheese, if you have any. They are the perfect finger food for game day!

Take a look at all of our 2020 Freaky Friday Spring Edition Recipes:

1. An Affair from the Heart – Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
2. Aunt Bee’s Recipes – Homemade Loaded Queso
3. Bowl Me Over – Crispy Smashed Potatoes
4. Hostess at Heart – Chocolate Coffee Cake
5. House of Nash Eats – Asian Lettuce Wraps
6. Lemoine Family Kitchen – Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas
7. Life, Love & Good Food – Italian Grilled Burgers
8. Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish – Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprout Linguine 
9. Or Whatever You Do – Air Fryer Shrimp
10. Take Two Tapas –  Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
11. The Foodie Affair – Strawberry Bread
12. The Speckled Palate – Chicken Pesto Pasta
13. West Via Midwest – Loaded Baked Potato Skins – Air Fryer Recipes

{Originally Published 05/08/2020 – photos and recipe notes updated 04/14/2022}

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