Best 5 Deep Fried Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey of crispy, cheesy goodness with our deep-fried mac and cheese recipes. This decadent dish transforms the classic comfort food into an irresistible appetizer or side that will tantalize your taste buds. Discover the perfect balance of creamy macaroni and cheese encased in a golden-brown, crispy coating. Choose from a variety of recipes that cater to different preferences, including classic, bacon-wrapped, and jalapeño popper variations. Prepare to elevate your next gathering or meal with this crowd-pleasing dish that combines the nostalgia of mac and cheese with an exciting, crunchy twist. Get ready to experience a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

FRIED MAC AND CHEESE BALLS



Fried Mac and Cheese Balls image

A fun and easy recipe that the kids and guests will love! It's super cheesy and absolutely one of my faves. No need for spoons with this mac dish!!

Provided by erinrhodes813

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 7h10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 (7.25 ounce) package macaroni and cheese mix
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
¾ cup pimento cheese spread
1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon white sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
4 eggs
3 tablespoons milk
4 cups peanut oil for frying, or as needed

Steps:

  • Fill a pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 7 minutes. Drain. Stir in the 2 tablespoons butter, the 1/4 cup milk, and the cheese packet from the package.
  • While the macaroni is still hot, stir in the Cheddar cheese, pimento cheese spread, and Italian cheese blend, and continue to stir until melted. Place the macaroni and cheese mixture in a container and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the macaroni mixture from the refrigerator, and, using a cookie scoop, scoop into balls. Place mac balls on the prepared baking sheet and freeze for at least 2 hours.
  • Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Whisk the bread crumbs with the paprika, chili powder, black pepper, sugar, and cayenne in a shallow dish; set aside. Beat the eggs with the 3 tablespoons milk in a small bowl. Remove the mac balls from the freezer, coat in the egg wash, and then dredge in breading.
  • Fry the mac balls in small batches until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain briefly on a paper towel-lined plate; serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 543.2 calories, Carbohydrate 42.1 g, Cholesterol 146.5 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 20.4 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, Sodium 1204 mg, Sugar 6.9 g

DEEP-FRIED MAC & CHEESE SHELLS



Deep-Fried Mac & Cheese Shells image

I created this deep-fried mac and cheese recipe for my husband. He describes this recipe as "unbelievably delicious" because of the crispy deep-fried coating and the creamy richness on the inside. -Shirley Rickis, Lady Lake, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 1h

Yield 20 appetizers (2-1/2 cups dipping sauce).

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups uncooked small pasta shells
20 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
2 tablespoons butter
1 package (16 ounces) Velveeta, cubed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1-1/4 cups 2% milk, divided
2 large eggs
2 cups panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Oil for deep-fat frying

Steps:

  • Cook pastas separately according to package directions for al dente; drain. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add Velveeta, cheddar cheese, cream and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Cook and stir over low heat until blended. Remove from heat., In another large saucepan, combine small pasta shells and half of the cheese mixture; set aside. For dipping sauce, stir 1 cup milk into remaining cheese mixture; keep warm., In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs with remaining milk. In another shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs with remaining Parmesan cheese. Place flour in a third shallow bowl. Fill each large shell with scant 1/4 cup pasta mixture. Dip in flour to coat all sides; shake off excess. Dip in egg mixture, then in bread crumb mixture, patting to help coating adhere., In an electric skillet or a deep fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry shells, a few at a time, 1-2 minutes on each side or until dark golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve with dipping sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 340 calories, Fat 23g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 72mg cholesterol, Sodium 451mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 12g protein.

FRIED MAC AND CHEESE BALLS



Fried Mac and Cheese Balls image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 12h35m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk, warmed, plus 2 tablespoons for egg wash
1 pound grated Cheddar
1 pound grated smoked Gouda
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs
3 cups seasoned bread crumbs
Vegetable oil, for frying
Marinara or Alfredo sauce, to serve

Steps:

  • Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside.
  • In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour into the butter and stir it with a whisk. Cook for 2 minutes. Whisk the warmed milk into the flour mixture, working out any lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the cheeses, and stir until melted and smooth; season with salt and pepper. Fold the cheese sauce into macaroni. Pour the mac and cheese into a shallow pan and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours.
  • Shape the cold mac and cheese into meatball-sized balls and place them onto a waxed paper-lined tray. Freeze the balls overnight.
  • Beat the eggs and 2 tablespoons milk together to form an egg wash and pour it into a shallow bowl. Put the bread crumbs into another shallow bowl. Remove the mac and cheese balls from the freezer. Dip the frozen balls into the egg wash then into the bread crumbs. Put the balls back into the freezer until you are ready to fry.
  • Heat the oil in a deep-fat fryer to 350 degrees F. Fry the mac and cheese balls until they are golden brown and center is hot, about 5 minutes. Serve hot with your favorite marinara or Alfredo sauce or combination or both for dipping.

PAULA DEEN'S - DEEP FRIED MAC AND CHEESE



Paula Deen's - Deep Fried Mac and Cheese image

This is one of Paula Deen's recipes off of The Foodnetwork. She has also included her Mac & Cheese recipe if you would like to make hers.

Provided by Starfire aka Wendy

Categories     Cheese

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

peanut oil, 2 inches for frying
flour, for dredging
1 egg, beaten
plain breadcrumbs, for dredging
4 cups cooked elbow macaroni, drained
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk

Steps:

  • Heat 2 inches of oil in a large, heavy Dutch oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Dredge each Cheesy Mac square in flour, then egg, and then bread crumbs to coat. Fry for about 1 minute on each side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels before serving.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Once you have the macaroni cooked and drained, place in a large bowl and while still hot, add the Cheddar. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour macaroni mixture into a casserole dish and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Top with additional cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 724.8, Fat 44.8, SaturatedFat 26.1, Cholesterol 322.6, Sodium 839.9, Carbohydrate 48.4, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 1.5, Protein 31.5

FRIED MACARONI-AND-CHEESE BITES



Fried Macaroni-and-Cheese Bites image

Make way for little squares of heaven -- these fried morsels are sure to be voted most popular at any party. You can (and should) prepare the stovetop macaroni and cheese a few days ahead, since it will firm up in the refrigerator, for easier cutting. Then follow a two-step breading process, using panko instead of regular breadcrumbs for a crust that's crisp yet light. Don't be put off by the yield; the squares fry quickly, in three or four batches, and you can reheat replenishments over the course of the evening -- whenever the platter is wiped clean (which will be often).This recipe originally appeared in "Martha Stewart's Appetizers" (Clarkson Potter).

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Appetizers

Yield Makes about 10 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 10

Coarse salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups milk, room temperature
3/4 teaspoon mustard powder
4 3/4 cups grated white cheddar cheese (about 14 ounces), room temperature
1/2 to 3/4 cup safflower oil, for frying, plus more for parchment
4 large eggs
2 cups panko

Steps:

  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook macaroni until al dente according to package instructions; drain.
  • In pot, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour, and cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is pale golden and has a nutty aroma, about 4 minutes. Whisking constantly, slowly add milk. Cook, whisking along bottom of pot, until boiling, about 7 minutes. Reduce heat and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat, and add remaining 1 tablespoon butter, the mustard powder, and cheese. Stir until melted and sauce is smooth; season with salt. Add macaroni to sauce, and stir to combine.
  • Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with parchment; brush parchment lightly with oil. Spread macaroni mixture evenly in dish. Cover and refrigerate until firm, at least 8 hours.
  • Invert set macaroni and cheese onto a cutting board and remove parchment. Cut into 1-inch squares with a sharp knife.
  • Whisk eggs in a shallow dish. In a shallow dish, season panko with salt. Dip macaroni squares, a few at a time, in eggs, allowing excess to drip off into dish, then roll in panko mixture to coat completely. Transfer to a wire rack set on a baking sheet.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium until shimmering. Working in batches, add coated squares in a single layer (do not crowd pan); cook, turning occasionally, until all sides are crisp and golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes total. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined rack to drain and cool slightly. Wipe skillet clean. Repeat process with more oil and remaining squares. Serve warm.

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Freshly grated cheese will melt more smoothly and provide a richer flavor than pre-shredded cheese.
  • Cook the macaroni until it is al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when it is fried.
  • Use a large skillet or Dutch oven for frying the mac and cheese. This will give the mac and cheese plenty of room to spread out and cook evenly.
  • Be careful not to overcrowd the skillet or Dutch oven. If you add too much mac and cheese at once, it will not cook evenly and may become soggy.
  • Fry the mac and cheese in batches if necessary. This will ensure that each batch cooks evenly and gets nice and crispy.
  • Serve the mac and cheese immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Conclusion:

Deep-fried mac and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or side dish. It is perfect for parties or potlucks. With a few simple tips, you can make sure that your deep-fried mac and cheese is perfect every time. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!

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