Description
Crispy and creamy Mac and Cheese Bites, perfect bite-sized snacks made with elbow macaroni coated in a rich cheddar cheese sauce, breaded, and deep-fried to golden perfection. Served with a tangy Greek yogurt mustard dipping sauce, these bites are an irresistible appetizer or party treat.
Ingredients
Mac and Cheese
- 1 cup elbow macaroni (uncooked, 100 g)
- 1 tbsp butter (14 g)
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (8 g)
- ¾ cup milk (180 ml, warm)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (113 g, shredded sharp)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (125 g)
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (panko preferred, 90 g)
- Oil (for deep frying)
Dipping Sauce
- 150 g Greek yogurt (about ⅔ cup)
- 1 tbsp French mustard (15 g)
- 1 tsp olive oil (5 ml)
- Chopped cilantro (to taste)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Macaroni: Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Make Roux: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: Gradually whisk in warm milk and continue cooking until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Mix the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce until fully combined. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, allowing the mixture to firm up for shaping.
- Shape Bites: Scoop chilled mixture and roll into 1.5-inch (4 cm) balls using your hands or a scoop.
- Bread Bites: Coat each ball first in all-purpose flour, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally roll in breadcrumbs until evenly covered.
- Prepare Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, French mustard, olive oil, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat Oil for Frying: Heat oil in a deep fryer or deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry Bites: Fry the coated bites in batches for 2–3 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve: Garnish the mac and cheese bites with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm with the prepared yogurt mustard dipping sauce.
Notes
- Ensure the mixture is well chilled before shaping to make the bites easier to form.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a crispier texture.
- Careful not to overcrowd the frying oil to maintain the temperature and ensure even cooking.
- The dipping sauce can be customized with herbs like dill or parsley as preferred.
- Leftover bites can be reheated in the oven to retain crispiness at 350°F for 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
