Iâm a big fan of cheesy goodness. So why not make it full of goodness and fry it as well? I played around with this recipe 4 years ago and decided it would be a great snack to share with you all. I love pimento cheese on sandwiches, fried green tomatoes, and crackers, but I thought maybe I should shake things up and try something different. Either way, this fried cheese balls recipe is made up of melty cheese goodness that is guaranteed to meet your cheesy needs!
Reasons Why Youâll Love This Recipe:
- Great for cheat days or just craving cheesy appetizers
- One of the most easy recipes
- You can use this recipe for crackers or on a sandwich if you donât want to fry all the balls
- Any leftovers can be easily stored for later use
- Controllable portion sizes
- Easy appetizer for parties and small gatherings
Fried Cheese Ballss Ingredients:
- Extra Sharp cheddar cheese â adds a bold and intense flavor to pimento cheese and firmer texture compared to milder cheese. This firm texture helps with dredging and also frying.
- Cream cheese– cream cheese adds a rich, creamy texture to the overall pimento cheese recipe and balances out the extra sharpness in the cheddar cheese. It also acts as a binding agent for the other ingredients.
- Pimento– with its mild and sweet taste, pimentos complements the sharpness of cheese while also adding a vibrant red appearance.
- Jalapeños â provides a spicy heat to the richness of cheddar cheese and sweetness of the pimentos.
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt/Pepper
- Mayo
- Green onions for garnish (optional)
For Breading:
- Eggs (May need more for double dredging or coating)
- Kosher salt
- Panko or bread crumbs
Frying:
- Vegetable oil
- Paper towels
Simple steps for cheese balls:
Prep all ingredients including sharp cheddar cheese, pimento peppers, and jalapeno.
Place all wet ingredients into a large bowl and stir until completely combined.
Add cheddar cheese to the mixture.
Using a small cookie scoop, make balls out of the pimento cheese and place on a baking sheet.
Whisk eggs and set aside. Mix planko and kosher salt into a separate bowl.
Start the dredging process by coating the cheese ball into the egg mixture, drain the excess egg, then coat with planko. Repeat this process. Place on parchment paper once finished.
Once completed, heat oil in a frying pan. Oil should be a little bit more than half of the pan. Heat to 350F.
Place pimento cheese balls onto the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides.
Remove and place on a paper towel or frying rack to drain excess oil.
Note: Refer to the recipe card for more detailed instructions.
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How to store this recipe after cooking and future use:
- Keep in an airtight container to avoid freezer burn
- You can freeze for the next day or later use
- To reheat, place them in the oven for 3-5 minutes at 325F.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can the pimento cheese be used for dipping or spread?
- Yes, if you decide to keep half for crackers, you definitely do so!
- Will the jalapenos make the cheese balls spicier?
- The jalapenos add a spicy kick to compliment the other ingredients, however, if too much spice is your concern, you can reduce by using only half of the jalapeno pepper or omitting the seeds.
Fried Cheese Balls
Make this easy cheese bites recipes for your next gathering or just keep it all for yourself!
Ingredients
- 3 cups Extra sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 2 tbl of diced pimento or one whole pimento diced
- 1 Jalapeno
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp of salt
- 1/2 tsp of pepper
- 1/2 - 1/3 cup Mayo
- Green Onion, diced for garnish (optional)
- Vegetable oil
- Paper towels or anything to absorb excess oil
Breading
- 2-3 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 2 1/2 - 3 cups Bread Crumbs or Panko
Instructions
1. Prep all ingredients by dicing your pimento peppers (if you purchased whole pimentos). Jalapeno should be diced into small pieces as well.
2. Using a cheese grater, grate the extra sharp cheddar cheese. This doesn’t have to be perfect. Set aside in a medium bowl.
3. Once ingredients are prepped, obtain a large bowl and add cream cheese, mayo, pimentos, jalapenos, and seasonings. Mix well until unified.
4. Add the grated cheddar cheese to the cream cheese mixture and mix until it is completely homogenous.
5. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop pimento cheese and make small balls and transfer onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. .
6. Set aside pimento cheese balls in the freezer for 30 minutes.
7. Obtain two medium sized bowls for the dredging process.
8. In one bowl, whisk the two eggs and set aside. In the second bowl, add the panko and kosher salt. Whisk the ingredients together.
9. Once completed, remove pimento cheese balls from the freezer and begin the dredging process.
10. Dip one ball into the egg and completely coat it. Drain on the side of the bowl, then coat the ball with the panko crumbs. Repeat this process for a second time. This process shouldn't take no more than 8-10 minutes.
11. Once finished, set cheese balls aside in the freezer before immediately cooking.
12. In a frying pan, fill vegetable oil a little more than halfway and heat the oil to 350F.
13. Once 350F temperature is reached, remove cheese balls from the freezer and carefully place them in the hot oil. Be careful not to crowd the frying pan.
14. Cook on each side for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Cook time may take a little longer, but make sure to watch so that it does not burn.
15. Remove the crispy cheese bites using a slotted spoon and set them onto a baking sheet or paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 636Total Fat: 35gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 1096mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 26g