Description
Embark, on an adventure with our Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites. This recipe is carefully crafted to delight your taste buds. Imagine taking a bite into a crispy exterior that unveils a gooey center filled with a blend of cheeses. You’ll experience the heat from chopped jalapenos, complemented by the smoky crunch of crispy bacon bits. It’s not a treat, for your palate; it’s a sensory experience that balances textures and flavors harmoniously. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying an evening at home these bites are sure to impress and bring joy with every bite.
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 Β½ 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 Β½ – 2 cups panko breadcrumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs
Spiced Flour Mix:
Β½ cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
Β½ teaspoon paprika
Β½ teaspoon onion powder
Β½ teaspoon garlic powder
Β½ 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 350Β°F (180Β°C). Fry the cheese balls in batches for 1 to 1Β½ 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
To savor the deliciousness of these Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites in a gluten-free version just make a few simple changes. Swap out the all-purpose flour, in the flour mix with your preferred gluten-free flour blend. This substitution guarantees that you’ll still enjoy the coating without any gluten. When it comes to breadcrumbs choose a certified gluten-free panko or breadcrumb option which you can easily find in supermarkets and health food stores. Additionally be sure to double check that your bacon and hot sauce are gluten-free as some brands may include additives containing gluten.
- Prep Time: 20 MINS
- Cook Time: 15 MINS
