Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites – Welcome to my kitchen, where today we’re embarking on an adventure featuring our star recipe; Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites! These delectable bites are bursting with cheeses, spicy jalapenos and the irresistible crunch of bacon creating a blend of flavors and textures. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply enjoying a family snack these bites have become a staple, in our home.
I still remember the first time I whipped up these morsels for a laid-back family movie night. I wanted something that stood out while remaining effortlessly simple. What happened next? They became a hit! My husband couldn’t stop raving about the balance of cheese and spice and even my picky child asked for seconds. These bites transformed an evening into a memory for our entire family.
What makes this Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites truly special?
What sets our Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites apart is their combination of flavors and textures. Just imagine sinking your teeth into a crispy layer that gives way to a lusciously center enriched with finely chopped jalapenos for that subtle kick. Let’s not forget about the sensation of savoring the rich savory crunch of bacon in every bite! Not only are they incredibly delicious but versatile enough to be enjoyed on any occasion – whether it’s as a comforting family snack or as an impressive appetizer, at a glamorous party. Moreover these delectable bites offer the flexibility to customize the level of spiciness and accommodate preferences by being gluten-free. As a result they have become an all-time favorite, in households delighting taste buds, across the board.
What You Need To Make This Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites Recipe?
Cream Cheese: Our bites start with softened cream cheese, which gives them a creamy texture. It serves as the perfect base for all the other flavors to shine.
White Cheddar: Instead of using pre-shredded cheese we hand-shred Mozzarella and White Cheddar, from a block. This ensures freshness. Provides a meltability factor resulting in a gooey and satisfying cheese pull.
Jalapenos: These little gems are the stars that add heat to our bites. By chopping them we ensure that every bite has a distribution of spice. Feel free to adjust the quantity based on your preference for heat or experiment with types of peppers for a twist.
Crispy Bacon: Choose high-quality bacon. Cook it until it reaches crispiness. Not only does this add a crunch but it also infuses our bites with smoky depth.
Hot Sauce: A touch of sauce brings in a flair that goes beyond just heat. It adds a layer of flavor that beautifully complements the cheeses and bacon.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the flavors, in our bites. Keep in mind that both the bacon and cheese already contribute some saltiness so adjust accordingly to maintain balance.
Dredging Station: We create the crispy coating by combining flour, eggs and panko breadcrumbs at our dredging station. Every ingredient has its purpose. The seasoned flour brings a taste, the eggs hold everything in place. The panko ensures a crispy, golden coating.
Spiced Flour Mix: An easy yet impactful combination of spices turns the flour into an enhancer of taste imparting hints of garlic, onion and paprika.
Steps To Make Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites:
Want To Save This Recipe?
Step 1: Begin by lovingly combining all the ingredients in a bowl. Feel the textures as you mix, ensuring everything is well-blended. Season with salt only if your taste buds demand it! I often add a bit more hot sauce for that extra kick.
Step 2: Now, the fun part – shaping! Use a spoon to scoop out the cheese mix and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place these little bundles of joy on a tray and freeze for about 10-15 minutes until they’re firm yet not completely frozen. Pro tip: you can also prep these the night before and leave them in the fridge.
Step 3: Set up your dredging station like a pro. Whisk the eggs lightly, spread out the panko crumbs, and prepare the spiced flour mix with love and care. Dip each cheese ball first in the flour, then the egg, repeating the process for that extra crunchy embrace, and finally coat them with panko crumbs.
Step 4: If you’re not ready to fry them immediately, no worries! They can be refrigerated overnight or frozen for later use.
Step 5: When you’re ready to cook, heat the oil to a perfect 350°F/180°C and fry the cheese balls, making sure not to crowd them. After a quick 1 – 1½ minute bath in the oil, they emerge golden and crispy.
Step 6: Let them drain for a moment, and then it’s time to enjoy! Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce and watch them disappear.
Tip:
To achieve the best texture, for your Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites it’s important to freeze the cheese balls before frying. This helpful tip ensures that the cheese maintains its shape and doesn’t leak out while cooking. By chilling them until they’re firm but not completely frozen you create a structure that can withstand the heat of frying. As a result you’ll enjoy bites that are crispy on the outside and wonderfully gooey, on the inside. Freezing also makes it easier to handle and coat the cheese balls resulting in a visually appealing final product.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make these bites ahead of time?
Definitely! You have the option to refrigerate the cheese balls with the coating overnight or freeze them for later use.
Are there gluten-free options for this recipe?
Certainly! Just substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour to make a gluten-free variation.
How can I adjust the spice level?
Feel free to adjust the quantity of jalapenos and hot sauce based on your personal taste preferences. You can decrease them according to your liking.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites
Ingredients
Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites:
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded from a block
- 4 ounces white cheddar shredded from a block (or Monterey Jack cheese)
- 2 - 3 jalapenos seeds removed, chopped finely (about ½ cup)
- 6 ounces bacon sliced finely and cooked to crispy bits
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- Salt to taste
Dredging Station:
- Spiced flour mix recipe below
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs
Spiced Flour Mix:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Combine the cream cheese, mozzarella, white cheddar, chopped jalapenos, crispy bacon bits, sauce and salt (if needed) in a mixing bowl. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Take scoops of the cheese mixture. Shape them into 1-inch balls. Place the formed balls on a tray. Let them firm up in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also refrigerate them overnight if you prefer.
- Set up a dredging station with three components; a mix of flour, beaten eggs and panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat each cheese ball by rolling it in the flour mix then dipping it into the beaten eggs before finally coating it with panko breadcrumbs. For a crispy texture you can repeat the flour and egg coating before applying another layer of breadcrumbs.
- After coating all the cheese balls place them back on the tray. You can choose to refrigerate them or freeze them for later use.
- Heat oil, to a temperature of around 350°F (180°C). Fry the cheese balls in batches for 1 to 1½ minutes until they turn golden brown. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan during frying.
- Once fried allow the cheese balls to drain for a couple of minutes on paper towels or a wire rack. Serve them warm, with your dipping sauce. Enjoy this treat!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
