Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese shredded (see note)
- 2 jalapenos seeded and minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil or other neutral oil, for frying
- Ranch dressing for serving
Instructions
- Combine the cheese, jalapeños, and garlic: In a large bowl, mix the shredded mozzarella, white cheddar, minced jalapeños, and garlic. I like to use my hands here to really work the ingredients together. It might feel like the mixture won’t stick at first, but once you start squeezing it into balls, it comes together beautifully.
- Form into balls: Using your hands, squeeze the cheese mixture tightly into about 10 small balls. The key here is to really compress them, so they hold their shape when fried. Once done, place them on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for at least 4 hours. (Trust me, don’t skip the freezing step—it keeps the cheese from oozing out too soon when frying.)
- Prepare the breading station: While the cheese balls are freezing, set up your breading station. You’ll need one bowl for flour, another for the egg wash (eggs and milk whisked together), and a third bowl for the panko crumbs, smoked paprika, and salt. I find adding smoked paprika to the panko gives the bites a nice subtle smoky flavor.
- Coat the cheese balls: Once frozen, roll each cheese ball in flour, then dip it in the egg wash, and finally coat it in the panko mixture. Make sure each one is evenly coated for maximum crispiness.
- Fry them up: Heat your oil to 350°F, then fry the bites for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown. I like to do this in small batches so the oil temperature doesn’t drop too much. Once they’re done, transfer them to a wire rack or a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Serve immediately: These are best eaten right away while the cheese is still gooey. Serve with a side of ranch dressing, and watch them disappear!
Notes
When it comes to serving, presentation matters! I like to arrange the bites on a rustic wooden board with a small bowl of ranch in the center. You could also sprinkle a little fresh parsley or cilantro on top for some color. These bites are pretty rich, so serving them alongside some fresh veggies or a light salad can balance things out nicely.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers