Deep-Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls are the new must-have recipe at your dinner table. Fun, light, and filled with a customizable family favorite!
OK, admit it. We are all guilty of a bit of overindulgence for the holidays.
See the web story for deep-fried mac and cheese here.
And why not? It’s sweater weather and we can hit the gym hard in January. But while the calendar is flipping through the feast-laden holidays, I will be the first to admit that I am going back for a slice of pie or saving room for just one more bite every single time.
I try to play it cool, putting just a bit of each of my favorite things on the plate, knowing I lack the necessary willpower to turn down a second trip to see what else I must try. Thinking that I am saving myself by just one or two bites here and there.
But, eventually, I have to surrender to defeat knowing that that last bite was the oh-so-worth-it-creamy-delicious-buttery-one that sent it over the top. Overindulging again. Yep, I’ll be at the gym every day in January and it will be worth it.
I mean, deep fried mac and cheese balls alone make it worth it.
This year, I am mixing up my holiday menu and adding in some fun twists to the options. Deep-fried macaroni and cheese recipes have been on my radar for some time, and it seems like the perfect meal to test them out on. No spooning piles of creamy mac and cheese onto the plate. Let everyone grab a ball and pop through the crust to find that melted cheesy pasta on their own!
Bonus, you can use whatever your favorite mac and cheese recipe is for this OR mix it up with additional fillings. Try adding bacon, hot sausage, or even shredded chicken to the deep-fried mac and cheese balls for bonus flavor. Swirl in some veggies or heck toss in some added veggie power by using this creamy cauliflower version (no one will know, promise)
What’s on your Thanksgiving menu? Are you prepped and ready for just one more bite?
Want some Macaroni and Cheese Inspiration?
- Smoked Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
- Smoked Jalapeno Mac and Cheese
- Double Smoked Chicken Mac and Cheese
- 10 Kicking Mac and Cheese Recipes
If you’ve tried my Deep Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls recipe, or any other recipe on GirlCarnivore.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below. I get inspired by your feedback and comments! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram @girlcarnivore as well as on Twitter and Facebook.
Deep Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 1 lbs bacon cooked drained and crumbled
- 2 lbs mac and cheese see notes for my favorite mac and cheese recipes to use
- 2 eggs whisked
- 4 cups breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the crumbled bacon into the macaroni and cheese.
- Cover and chill for 6 hours in the refrigerator.
- Set up your rolling station by arranging the eggs in a large bowl next to a bowl with the breadcrumbs.
- Remove from fridge and with your hands or a large cookie scoop, form the mac and cheese into tight balls. You will have between 12 and 16 balls depending on how big you make them.
- Working one at a time, dip each ball into the eggs, turning to coat evenly. Drain any excess.
- Transfer to the breadcrumbs and roll the mac and cheese ball in the bread crumbs, coating evenly.
- Place the breadcrumb coated mac and cheese ball onto a baking sheet.
- Repeat the steps as needed.
- Arrange the baking sheet in the freezer to allow the balls to freeze in a single layer.
- After freezing for at least 4 hours, you can store the balls in an airtight container in the freezer until ready to fry.
- When ready to fry, fill a large heavy-bottomed pot with oil, leaving 2 inches from the surface of the oil to the top of the pot for safety.
- Heat the oil over medium-low heat until hot enough to fry.
- Preheat the oven to the warm setting, or 180 degrees.
- With a long-handled slotted spoon, dip a macaroni and cheese ball in. Fry, rolling as needed, until golden brown all over.
- Carefully remove the macaroni and cheese ball from the oil with a slotted spoon and set on a rack over a baking sheet to drain. Keep warm in the preheated oven.
- Repeat the steps, adding no more than 3 balls at a time, to keep the oil temp even, until all of the macaroni and cheese balls are fried. Allow to the last ball to cool at least 3 minutes before serving.
- Sprinkle the deep fried macaroni and cheese with salt and serve hot.
Nutrition
Christine says
That is awesome using bacon with macaroni. I am going to try this recipe on the weekend for my family.
Candy says
Honestly this sounds so good and talk about comfort food. All the deep frying and carbs oh my
G says
These look incredible. I have made Arincini before and my family loved them so I am sure they would love these fried mac and cheese balls. I think these will be on this weeks menu.
Stacie says
This recipe is proof that absolutely everything is better when you fry it. I must have this in my life!
Sarah Bailey says
Hands up I love Mac n Cheese, however I have never thought about having it deep friend, I bet it makes for an interesting side dish and something I would really love to try myself.
Alli Smith says
I remember when this trend started a few years back and I still haven’t tasted deep-fried mac and cheese. I need to try your recipe ASAP. Looks so delicious.
Jenn@engineermommy says
These mac and cheese balls look so yummy and decadent. I am a huge fan of mac and cheese and would love these.
Brianne says
My kids love mac-n-cheese! I think this would be a great hit with them. It looks so delicious!
robin rue says
This sounds like pure heaven! I am drooling over here. I can NOT wait to make this.
Teresa says
I have never tried a deep fried mac and cheese dish. I wonder, is it dry at all because I love a really cheesy gooey mac and cheese. I have GERD and take a higher dose Omeprazole that is avaialbe OTC.
Amber Myers says
Oh yum, I need to try this for sure. I love regular mac and cheese, so I’m sure I’d be a fan of a deep fried version. I love that there is bacon!
Tasheena says
Oh, My! This looks and sounds amazing! Looking forward to giving this recipe a try, and also checking out the product you’ve mentioned.
Alexandra says
Oh wow. These sound so good 😉 Yum! I love macaroni and cheese – I can only imagine that frying them would take it to the next level!
Delicious!
Alex || http://www.itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com
Rosemary says
I recently had some of the best mac and cheese and it was made with gouda cheese. The sound of deep fried mac and cheese sounds decadent. Sounds like something to add to to the Christmas holiday season.
Heather says
I think you can deep fry just about anything and it would be delicious. I bet my 9 year old would love this!
Emily says
Oh wow, this looks delicious! I want to make these so much, they would be great appetizers to take for a party. I know they would be a big hit!
Anne Wright says
it looks like you are all geared up for holiday, babe!
Lyosha says
it’s great idea to try and utilize leftovers. I wouldn’t go for deep fried things regularly but it could be a nice change
Olivia says
These look like an excellent appetizer to bring to my family’s Christmas. Awesome, thanks!
kumamonjeng says
Look like an interesting appetizer or side dish, probably making this for my Xmas party dinner. Lets see if I succeed the experiment on this weekends.
Kita says
It’s all in the par-freeze 😉
ricci says
Oh gosh, I think fried mac and cheese sounds amazing!! I need to make these ASAP!!
Terri Steffes says
Santa is bringing an air fryer to our house and I would love to give these a try! They look so good!
Kita says
Id love to try this with an air fryer!
Claire Lee says
OMG I’ve been craving mac and cheese for the past few days and this just made me more hungry! I am eating mac and cheese for sure today
Shar says
Ooh my kids and hubby would be all about this recipe! It looks like the perfect comfort food for a cold winter day 🙂
Mary Edwards says
What a fantastic idea. The kids and adults in my family would all love this. My son makes mac and cheese a few times a week for himself (he’s 17). I bet he’d like to change it up and try this
Claudia Krusch says
Love your recipe! Can’t wait to make it for our Holiday Open House! They look soooo good!
Fatima Torres says
I’ve always been a fan of mac and cheese, but this is definitely something I’d like to try sometime with the kids.
Kara says
We are not a fan of mac and cheese here, but it sounds like a great thanksgiving treat
Jasmine Hewitt says
I would love to try this variation of a baked mac and cheese. the pictures look tempting!
Courtney says
Omg can we say yum?!?! I love deep fried Mac & cheese!!! So giving this a try!
Lisa says
I’m salivating after reading this! I love macaroni and cheese, and to have it like this puts a great new spin on it! Delicious.