Crispy Cheese Jalapeno Bacon Bites
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.
Servings
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
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.