These Southern-style Fried Mac and Cheese Balls are made using homemade macaroni and cheese. They’re a restaurant favorite you can make even better at home. The crispy breadcrumb coating adds crunch and texture taking this comfort food favorite up a notch.

Easy Fried Mac and Cheese Balls Recipe

I’m not sure whose idea it was originally to make fried macaroni and cheese, but without a doubt, it’s an indulgence that’s fun to make and eat. Most often, my kiddos order these when dining out, but imagine their delight when I began making mac and cheese bites for them at home. Using my own homemade macaroni and cheese, of course. They’re an instant hit whenever they’re served as an appetizer, side dish or game day snack. How to make homemade Fried Mac and Cheese Balls. (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

Macaroni and Cheese – Make and bake the macaroni and cheese then cool and chill overnight.
Scoop Cold Mac and Cheese – Use a medium-size ice cream scoop or a large cookie scoop to divide cold macaroni and cheese into balls. Place onto a sheet pan and keep chilled.
Dredging Station Prepare the dredging station: First small bowl: All purpose flour. Second bowl: Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper and hot sauce for the egg wash. Third bowl: Stir together panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder and onion powders.
Breading – Lightly dust each macaroni ball with flour, then dip into the egg wash and roll in panko mixture. Roll into a ball. Repeat the breading process until all are evenly coated. Place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer.
Fry – Heat oil in a deep pot or dutch oven to 350-360°F. Fry mac and cheese balls in batches per the cook time in the recipe
Drain on a Baking Sheet or Platter – Remove from oil with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
Serve mac n cheese balls immediately garnished with green onions with warm marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.

How to Make the BEST Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

What Mac and Cheese Recipe is Best? I use the recipe for either my Double Cheddar Macaroni and cheese or Twisted Macaroni and cheese to make this dish both were made using blend of cheeses including cheddar cheese.
Additional ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Fried Mac and Cheese Balls: Panko bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, all purpose flour, granulated garlic or garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, large eggs, milk, green onion or chive for garnishing plus vegetable or peanut oil for frying.
Kitchen tools you’ll need: Dutch oven, sheet pan, scoop, measuring cups and spoons, shallow bowls, whisk, slotted spoon or stainless steel spider.
The key to making this dish is, the macaroni and cheese needs to be fully baked, cooled and thoroughly chilled. This is necessary for the balls to hold together when frying. Don’t skip it.
It’s best to use a non-flavored oil to fry these balls. Either vegetable, canola or peanut oil. When frying, keep the oil around 350°F. Fry just until the panko breading is crispy and golden.
There’s no wrong size to make these mac and cheese balls, it all comes down to the size of the scoop that you use. For a bite-size mac and cheese bites appetizer version, roll them meatball size. For us a snack size, I use a 2-ounce scoop works well. As a side dish, use a 4-ounce scoop, the most typical size used for scooping ice cream. Just know, when you change the size, the recipe yield could be more or less than stated.
Variations: You could replace the panko breadcrumbs with crushed potato chips for a twist.
Substitutions: You could add additional spices or herbs to the crumb coating such as smoked paprika, chili powder, dried chives, Italian seasoning or parsley.
Storage and Leftovers: Store Fried Mac and Cheese Balls chilled in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven on a sheet pan or an air fryer until crisped and heated through. You can spray them with cooking spray prior to reheating them in the oven, if needed.
Freezer: You can freeze cooked macaroni and cheese balls for up to 2 months.

More Macaroni and Cheese Recipes to Make

There’s no shortage of classic macaroni and cheese recipes to make. A few variations you may like to try:

This Macaroni and Cheese Pie is topped with Roma tomatoes and a buttery bread crumb crust.
Individual serving Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Muffins.
Crab Macaroni and Cheese is a special dish for a special occasion.
Skip the blue box and make this Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese instead.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Macaroni and Cheese is a one dish meal.
Top this Taco Mac with your favorite taco fixings for a complete meal.
Macaroni and Cheese Pizza from The Gunny Sack.

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