Jalapeno Mac and Cheese Bites

No ratings yet

These jalapeno mac and cheese bites feature everything you'll find in a jalapeno popper including spicy minced jalapeno, crispy bacon bits, and plenty of cheese wrapped up into crispy and gooey mac and cheese bites.

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Chill Time 2

Total Time 2 30

Servings servings

Calories 472kcal

Ingredients

Mac and Cheese

4 strips bacon
2 medium jalapeno peppers, minced
1 medium clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup 2% or skim milk
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 oz cream cheese
1/2 lb elbow pasta, cooked according to package instructions until al dente
Salt and pepper to taste

Breadcrumb Coating

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg
1/4 cup 2% or skim milk
1-1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper to taste
Nonstick cooking spray
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Instructions

Mac and Cheese

Cook bacon strips in a medium skillet over medium heat, turning once until bacon is crispy. Drain bacon on paper towels then dice into 1/4-inch cubes
Heat bacon drippings over medium heat. Add jalapeno and sauté 3-5 minutes until tender. Add garlic and flour and cook 1 additional minute until fragrant and golden brown.
Slowly drizzle in milk, whisking constantly until smooth and incorporated. Cook sauce over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sauce is bubbly and thickened. Remove from heat and add mustard and cheeses, stirring until cheese is melted.
Fold cooked pasta and bacon bits into sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate mac and cheese 2 hours until completely cold.

Breadcrumb Coating

Place flour in a shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper. Whisk egg and milk until smooth in a separate shallow bowl. Place panko in a third shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper.
Remove chilled mac and cheese from refrigerator and grease hands well. Roll mac and cheese into 1-inch balls and place on a sheet pan.
Dredge mac and cheese balls in flour, shaking off excess. Dip balls in egg, then roll in panko until fully coated. Space balls apart on sheet pan.
Preheat air fryer to 400F and lightly spray basket with cooking spray. Working in batches if necessary, place mac and cheese bites in a single layer and spray well with cooking spray.
Air fry mac and cheese bites at 400F 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through baking until mac and cheese bites are golden brown and crispy. Repeat cooking with remaining bites.
Top mac and cheese bites with parsley and serve immediately while warm. Enjoy!

Notes

Storing Instructions

Store mac and cheese bites in refrigerator up to 6 days.

Nutrition