Name: Fried Mac and Cheese Bites
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 120 min
Ingredients: 10 ounces elbow macaroni or ditalini pasta; 1 Tablespoon butter; 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1 cup whole milk; ½ cup heavy cream; 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese ((shredded)); 1 cup Monterey jack cheese ((shredded)); 6 slices American cheese; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black Pepper; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 4 large eggs; 4 Tablespoons water; 3 cups panko breadcrumbs; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 4 cups vegetable oil for frying ((in deep fryer or dutch oven))

Jump to Recipe

Looking for the perfect Game Day appetizer? Fried Mac and Cheese Bites score big points with a cheesy center and crispy panko coating that wins every time! They're a mini version of your favorite comfort food, making them the perfect party snack.

Fried mac and cheese bites with toothpicks on a plate.

Best Game Day Food!

Crowd Pleaser - kids of all ages love creamy mac and cheese fried into a crispy bite!
Feeds a Large Group - makes plenty of snacks for your next tailgate party
Party Pleaser - easy to eat and hold a drink at the same time

I promise that fried mac and cheese bites will be your new favorite appetizer! Just when you thought soul food couldn't possibly improve, we battered it and popped it in the deep fryer.

You can serve cheesy bites as they are, or dip them in marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or Carolina Gold Sauce. Eating these tasty mac and cheese balls is a great way to tailgate from the comfort of your own recliner.

Need more game day treats? Try ultimate Loaded Nachos, or these over-the-top Loaded French Fries with all the trimmings. You can also make make this easy Air Fryer Cheese Dip that's super cheesy.

Ingredient Notes

See recipe card for quantities.

Filling

elbow macaroni - I use ditalini pasta because it's shorter and easier to form into bites
butter - both salted or unsalted butter will work
all purpose flour - White Lily is recommended, but any type of all purpose flour will do
whole milk - can use 2%, but nothing less
heavy cream - can use half and half, but the creamier the better
three cheeses: sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack and American (processed cheese acts as a binder)
salt and black pepper - the only seasoning needed, but if you like the flavor of garlic powder, feel free to add a dash

Ingredients needed to make mac and cheese bites.

Crispy Coating

all-purpose flour - helps create the crispy coating
salt and pepper - for flavor
large eggs - the binder that binds the panko together
water - to make the egg wash
panko breadcrumbs - makes these bites extra crunchy
dried parsley - optional herb for flavor and garnish
vegetable oil for frying - use a high smoke point oil

Step by Step Instructions

This recipe is worth the 30 minutes of prep, and I've made it easy for you with step by step instructions. 🙂 To make things even easier, you can assemble everything in advance and freeze until ready to deep fry if you're short on time.

1 - Make Mac and Cheese

Cook pasta as directed and drain well.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and stir well to form a roux.
Add the milk and heavy cream, increasing the heat to medium-high. Bring to a simmer; about 2-3 minutes.
Slowly stir in sharp cheddar cheese.
Stir in Monterey Jack cheese.
Add the American cheese in batches, tearing it into pieces and mixing well.
Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring cheese sauce for 5-6 minutes. Add salt and pepper.
Add the pasta to the cheese mixture.
Mix sauce and pasta together well so the cheese coats the pasta.

2 - Assemble Bites

Pour contents of skillet onto a sheet pan or large baking sheet.
Spread the mac 'n cheese onto the sheet pan and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow it to cool at room temperature for 15-30 minutes.
Once pasta has cooled, scoop it into 1 ½ inch balls. (They don't have to be perfectly round.)
Line two small baking sheets with parchment paper. Place bites on the prepared baking sheets and cover with plastic wrap. Freeze for 1 hour to set the ball shape, or up to 3 days in advance if needed.

Directions for making mac and cheese bites.

3 - Breading Station

Prepare the breading station. In the first bowl, mix the flour, salt, and pepper.
In a second bowl, beat the eggs and water to make an egg wash.
In a third bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, salt, parsley and pepper together.
Take out one of the baking sheets from the freezer and start the breading process. Coat each ball in the flour mixture and shake off the excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, dredge it in the panko mixture, and coat it completely on all sides.

Directions for how to coat mac and cheese bites.

4 - Deep Frying

Place 4 cups of vegetable oil in a deep fryer or small dutch oven and heat to 350ºF. Working in batches, gently add one mac and cheese ball at a time into the hot oil.
Fry between around 350 degrees until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Adjust the temperature as necessary to ensure even cooking. Strain the cooked bites from the oil and place them on a parchment lined tray or wire rack.
Continue frying until all the bites are cooked through.
Repeat steps for the second tray of cheese balls until all are breaded and cooked. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and enjoy while warm.

Directions for how to deep fry mac and cheese bites.

Can you bake mac and cheese bites in the oven or air fryer?

Yes, spray them with cooking spray and bake on a sheet pan in a 375ºF oven for 12-15 minutes. Or bake them in the air fryer at 360ºF for 10 minutes until they're crispy on the outside. But, deep frying is the best way to go, and the only method I recommend.

Customize It!

Wanna make this recipe your own? Try these fun combinations...

Add candied bacon to create Bacon Mac Bites!
Toss in a dash of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to spice things up.
Add chopped pulled pork or buffalo chicken for extra flavor.

Serving Suggestions

The best dishes to serve with fried mac and cheese bites are more appetizers. Here are a few favorite recipes to try...

Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich - hot and spicy treat made into game day sliders
Creamy Whipped Feta Dip - addictive feta dip garnished with kalamata olives
Cream Cheese Corn Dip - you've never had corn dip that tastes like this
Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings - crispy wings that are smoked to perfection
Sausage Balls with Sour Cream - the addition of sour cream makes a real difference

Pro Tips

Keep the second tray of cheese bites in the freezer while working on the first tray.
To keep bites warm, place them in a single layer on a wire rack in a low oven (around 200ºF) to maintain crispiness.
Make sure to add the 4 slices of processed American cheese! It helps bind the bites together and makes it easier to form a scoop.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Reheating: Preheat an air fryer to 375 degrees, lightly spray leftover bites with some nonstick cooking spray, and air fry for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Or, pop in a 350ºF oven in a single layer on a baking sheet until warm and crispy.

Make Ahead and Freezing: You can prepare the bites ahead of time and freeze them. When ready to serve, fry them straight from the freezer or bake them at 400°F (200°C) until heated through and crispy. They can also be frozen after frying for up to 3 months in an airtight container.