• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Ahead of Thyme logo

  • Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Work With Me
    • Press
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • How to Start a Food Blog
    • Blogging Basics
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Appetizers » Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

    Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

    10 Comments

    1K Shares
    Pin1K
    Yum5
    Share
    Tweet1
    More

    Fried mac and cheese balls are super crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the best crunch. These easy to make appetizer version of creamy mac and cheese are the best bite-sized comfort food ever. They are perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner, or a game day snack, and the best way to use leftover mac and cheese.

    Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese. | aheadofthyme.com

    Making fried mac and cheese balls is also a great way to use leftover mac and cheese from your Thanksgiving dinner. Some other ways I use up Thanksgiving leftovers every year are with leftover turkey wild rice soup, baked mashed potato spring rolls, and cranberry sauce oat bars.

    Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese. | aheadofthyme.com

    Ingredients in Mac and Cheese Balls

    These fried bite-sized appys only require:

    • macaroni and cheese - cold mac and cheese that has been refrigerated for at least 4 hours. This is a great way to use up and leftover stovetop mac and cheese with white cheddar or baked mac and cheese.
    • egg - to bind the breadcrumbs onto the balls.
    • panko breadcrumbs - to coat the mac and cheese balls. I prefer the texture of panko breadcrumbs, but you can use regular breadcrumbs as well.
    • vegetable oil - for deep frying.

    You will also need a medium cooking pot or a deep fryer.

    Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

    1. Shape the mac and cheese balls. Scoop out a spoonful of mac and cheese using a cookie scoop and shape into a 1.5-inch ball. Repeat with with all mac and cheese. You should get about 18 mac and cheese balls.
    2. Coat the balls. Place beaten egg into one bowl, and panko breadcrumbs into another bowl. Coat each ball into the eggs and then dredge in panko to fully coat.
    Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Deep fry. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat until shimmering and sizzling hot, about 4 minutes. Carefully add the mac and cheese balls, about 4-5 at a time (you will have to fry in batches). Fry until golden and crispy on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel to soak up any excess oil. Serve hot.
    Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese. | aheadofthyme.com

    Tips and Alternate Cooking Methods

    • How to freeze: Arrange uncooked, assembled mac and cheese balls in single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze for 1 hour, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. You can deep fry directly from frozen.
    • How to air fry mac and cheese balls: Assemble the balls as directed in the recipe, then spray lightly with cooking spray oil. Place the balls in an even layer in an air fryer basket (you will have to do this in batches as to not overcrowd the basket). Air fry at 350 F for 15 minutes until crispy.
    • How to bake in the oven: Assemble the balls as directed in the recipe, and place on a half sheet baking pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake in a 350 F preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, until crispy on the outside. Rotate them every 5-10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
    Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese. | aheadofthyme.com
    Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese. | aheadofthyme.com

    More Bite-sized Appetizers

    • Baked Mozzarella Sticks
    • Easy Homemade Chicken Nuggets
    • The Best Breaded Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings
    • Baked Mashed Potato Spring Rolls
    • Baked Sweet Potato Wedges with Honey Mustard
    • Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Baked Turkey Meatballs

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

    Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more recipe updates.

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese. | aheadofthyme.com

    Fried Mac and Cheese Balls


    ★★★★★

    5 from 5 reviews

    • Author: Sam | Ahead of Thyme
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 12 minutes
    • Total Time: 32 minutes
    • Yield: 18 (1.5-inch) balls 1x
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese. 


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 3 cups macaroni and cheese, refrigerated at least 4 hours
    • 1 large egg, beaten
    • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
    • 2 cups vegetable oil

    Instructions

    1. Scoop out a spoonful of mac and cheese using a cookie scoop and shape into a 1.5-inch ball. Repeat with with all mac and cheese.
    2. Place beaten egg into one bowl, and panko breadcrumbs into another bowl. Coat each mac and cheese ball into the eggs and then dredge in panko to fully coat.
    3. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat until shimmering and sizzling hot, about 4 minutes. Carefully add the mac and cheese balls, about 4-5 at a time (you will have to fry in batches). Fry until golden and crispy on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel to soak up any excess oil. Serve hot.

    Notes

    How to freeze: Arrange uncooked, assembled mac and cheese balls in single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze for 1 hour, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. You can deep fry directly from frozen.

    How to air fry mac and cheese balls: Assemble mac and cheese balls as directed in the recipe, then spray lightly with cooking spray oil. Place the balls in an even layer in an air fryer basket (you will have to do this in batches as to not overcrowd the basket). Air fry at 350 F for 15 minutes until crispy.

    How to bake in the oven: Assemble the mac and cheese balls as directed in the recipe, and place on a half sheet baking pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake in a 350 F preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, until crispy on the outside. Rotate them every 5-10 minutes to ensure even cooking.

    • Category: Appetizers
    • Method: Deep Fry
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: fried mac and cheese balls, mac and cheese balls

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese. | aheadofthyme.com

    Related Posts

    • Stovetop Mac and Cheese with White CheddarStovetop Mac and Cheese with White Cheddar
    • 60 Best Super Bowl Recipes60 Best Super Bowl Recipes
    • Pepperoni Pizza RollsPepperoni Pizza Rolls
    • Homemade Tater Tots with BaconHomemade Tater Tots with Bacon
    • Baked Mashed Potato Spring Rolls (JOEY Copycat)Baked Mashed Potato Spring Rolls (JOEY Copycat)
    Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
    1K Shares
    Pin1K
    Yum5
    Share
    Tweet1
    More

    Stay Updated

    Subscribe now to receive all the latest recipes, tips and news directly to your inbox.
    * indicates required
    How often would you like to receive recipe updates
    Previous Post: « Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins with Oat Streusel Topping
    Next Post: Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies »

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Sam!

    Quick and easy recipes for the everyday home cook, using fresh, seasonal and wholesome ingredients -- from healthy meals to take-out to comfort foods. | aheadofthyme.com

    Hi, I'm Sam. I am the founder of Ahead of Thyme, where we help busy people eat real food that tastes good. Here, you can find hundreds of delicious, quick and easy recipes, using quality and wholesome ingredients. Read more about me

    Stay Updated

    Subscribe now to receive all the latest recipes, tips and news directly to your inbox.
    * indicates required
    How often would you like to receive recipe updates

    Footer

    follow along on instagram

    Load More... Follow on Instagram

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Work with Us
    • Shop
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

    Recipes

    • Appetizers
    • Soup
    • Chicken
    • Dessert

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for recipe updates

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

    Copyright © 2021 Ahead of Thyme Incorporated