Easy, cheesy, portable comfort food. With just enough kick to make your taste buds do a little dance. Perfect bite size snacks for March Madness or any game day!
Prep Time5mins
Cook Time40mins
Total Time45mins
Course: Comfort Food
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Fried Food, mac and cheese, Mac and Cheese Bites
Servings: 40
Calories: 194kcal
Author: Daily DIY Life
Ingredients
1 16oz.Box small elbow noodles - cooked and drained
4TablespoonsButter
3TablespoonsAll-purpose flour + 1 Cup flour for breading
1TablespoonMustard powder
1TablespoonGarlic powder
1teaspoonBlack pepper
1/8teaspoonGround nutmeg
5CupsWhole milk
2CupsShredded cheddar cheese
2CupsCheddar Jack cheese
8oz.Creamy havarti cheese - cut in chunks
2CupsCrushed Cheez-It Hot and Spicy Grooves
2Large eggs
2TablespoonsWater
Instructions
Cook elbow noodles al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In the same pot used to cook the noodles, melt the butter onmedium heat.
Whisk in the 3 Tablespoons flour and spices. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly so it does not burn.
Slowly whisk in the milk a cup at a time. Whisk constantly to remove any lumps.
Bring the milk mixture to a steady simmer, stirring frequently. Simmer on medium heat for 4 - 7 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Make sure to continue to stir with your whisk to prevent scorching.
Once the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, add in your cheese.
Stir until everything has melted together.
Fold in your cooked elbow noodles.
Refrigerate your mac and cheese for at least one hour so it firms up a bit.
Once your mac and cheese is firm, set up your dredging station. (3 separate bowls - 1 cup flour. 2 large eggs whisked with 2 Tablespoons water. 2 cups crushed Cheez-It Hot & Spicy Grooves)
Using an ice cream scoop or a large Tablespoon, scoop out a spoonful of the chilled mac and cheese.
Roll into a ball. Coat with flour, then egg mixture, then Cheez-It Hot & Spicy Grooves crumbs. Place on a baking sheet until you have assembled all of your Mac and Cheese bites.
Using an electric fryer, or a deep skillet with just enough oil to cover the mac and cheese bites. Heat the oil to 350 degrees.
Working in small batches, fry the mac and cheese bites evenly on all sides until golden brown. About 5 minutes.
Remove to a paper towel to drain off the excess oil.
Serve hot with warm marinara or cool creamy ranch dip.