Description
Crispy cheese jalapeño balls bring spicy comfort to appetizer lovers seeking bold flavors. Mexican-inspired snacks deliver crunchy exterior with creamy, zesty interior that satisfies spice craving palates.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 200 g (2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese
- 100 g (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 100 g (1 cup) cream cheese, softened
- 2 medium jalapenos, finely chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
- 100 g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 150 g (1 ½ cups) breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch)
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)
Instructions
- Cheese Blending: Combine shredded cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese, and finely diced jalapenos in a large mixing bowl, ensuring a uniform distribution of ingredients and creating a robust flavor base.
- Seasoning Integration: Incorporate garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper into the cheese mixture, mixing thoroughly until the ingredients bind together with a slightly sticky texture.
- Ball Formation: Scoop and roll the seasoned cheese mixture into compact, consistent spheres, aiming for 20-25 uniform balls that will cook evenly and maintain structural integrity.
- Chilling Preparation: Place the cheese balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15-20 minutes, which helps solidify the mixture and prevents potential breakdown during subsequent cooking stages.
- Coating Assembly: Prepare a breading station with breadcrumbs, whisked eggs, and optional additional seasonings to create a crisp, flavorful exterior for the cheese balls.
- Breading Process: Carefully roll each chilled cheese ball in beaten eggs, then thoroughly coat with seasoned breadcrumbs, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Frying Technique: Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pan to 375°F, gently lowering the breaded cheese balls and frying until they achieve a golden-brown, crispy exterior, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Finishing Touch: Remove the crispy cheese jalapeno balls using a slotted spoon, drain excess oil on paper towels, and serve immediately while hot and at peak crispiness.
Notes
- Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select high-quality, firm jalapenos and fresh cheeses for maximum flavor and optimal texture in your cheese balls.
- Manage Jalapeno Heat: Remove seeds and membranes to reduce spiciness, or keep them for extra kick – adjust according to personal heat tolerance and guest preferences.
- Freezing is Critical: Never skip the freezing step; this technique prevents cheese balls from falling apart during cooking and ensures a crispy, intact exterior when frying or baking.
- Coating Options: Experiment with breadcrumb varieties like panko for extra crunch, or try gluten-free alternatives like crushed cornflakes for different dietary needs and exciting texture variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg