Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/4 cup jalapeños, diced (fresh or pickled)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, diced jalapeños, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until well blended.
- Using your hands, form the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Set up a breading station: Place flour in one dish, beaten eggs in another, and breadcrumbs in a third dish.
- Dredge each cheese ball in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully drop the cheese balls into the hot oil, frying in batches if necessary, until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Serve warm, with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For an extra kick, use spicy jalapeños or add some hot sauce to the cheese mixture.
- You can bake the cheese balls at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes instead of frying for a healthier option.
- These cheese balls can be made ahead of time and frozen before frying; just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time when frying from frozen.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cheese balls
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg