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Deep Fried Macaroni and Cheese

appetizer· GC Original· Pork· Side Dish· SP

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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!

This post was sponsored by Mirum. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

deep fried macaroni and cheese appetizer on black plates with a hand holding a fork and a sliced pork loin on another platter

OK, admit it. We are all guilty of a bit of overindulgence for the holidays.

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.

Deep fried macaroni and cheese on a black plate, split apart by a fork

I mean, deep fried mac and cheese balls alone make it worth it.

Besides the common acid and fatty choices that can cause heartburn to flare up, overindulging can also trigger common symptoms. Luckily, for frequent heartburn sufferers, Omeprazole’s new easy-to-take orally disintegrating tablet is perfect for helping dissolve heartburn for those who suffer 2 or more times a week. You don’t even need a glass of water with the MELTechTM strawberry flavored tablet. You can take one for up to 24 hours of relief, perfect for managing the pre-game snack, dinner, and a sampling of the dessert table!

Grab a package of Omeprazole ODT before hitting the road for the holidays and get to sharing in the traditions, and one more bite, and less heartburn suffering. (Use this store locator to find it in your area).

above shot of deep fried macaroni and cheese balls with two small black plates with one portion on each, both mid consumption, broken apart to show the creamy macaroni

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?

Deep fried macaroni and cheese ball broken apart with a bite of elbow pasta on the end of a fork

Want some Macaroni and Cheese Inspiration?

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.

Fried Macaroni and Cheese that has been pulled apart with a fork on a black plate.

Deep Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

Fried Mac and Cheese Balls are the new must have recipe at your dinner table. Fun, light, and filled with a customizable family favorite!
5 from 18 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Chilling time: 6 hours
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 562kcal
Author: Kita Roberts

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.

deep fried mac and cheese flatlay

Comments

  3. G says

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply

  5. 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.

    Reply

  10. 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.

    Reply

  14. 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.

    Reply

  24. 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 🙂

    Reply

  25. Mary Edwards says

    5 stars
    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

    Reply

  27. Fatima Torres says

    5 stars
    I’ve always been a fan of mac and cheese, but this is definitely something I’d like to try sometime with the kids.

    Reply

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