BBQ Fried Mac N Cheese Balls are balls of golden crispy goodness filled with a spicy, BBQ seasoned mac and cheese that will have you drooling. Pair this with an easy-to-make (and even easier to eat!) BBQ blue cheese sauce, and you won’t be able to eat mac and cheese any other way. Time to dig in, friends!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Head Country Bar-B-Q. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!
When it comes to getting my snack on, I have one weakness.
BBQ and fried things.
I know normally those two things don’t always go hand in hand. I mean, no one is really looking to try deep fried ribs out there…
And if they are, let me be the first to say EW.
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Of course, I can only go so long before I have to create another mash up of flavors, and I have been bursting at the seams to share this one with you!
These little golden balls of magic are the most delicious way to eat macaroni and cheese, and I can promise you that after one bite, you are going to have trouble going back to the normal way of devouring macaroni and cheese.
Now the magic of these bites of crispy goodness are not just magical because they are fried and packed with cheese.
No, no, my friends. A lot of that spicy, sassy, BBQ flavor that dwells within these fried balls comes from one place and one place only…
MY FAVORITE Head Country Bar-B-Q spices!
I decided to give this snack a double dose of my favorite Head Country Original Championship Seasoning so that you get a ton of flavor in every single bite. The seasoning is in the macaroni and cheese itself right when it’s made, and then it’s in the panko breadcrumbs so it exists in the crispy exterior as well!
I went one step further and paired these fried mac n cheese balls with a creamy BBQ blue cheese sauce that will blow. your. freaking. mind.
Simply mix together Head Country Hot & Spicy BBQ Sauce and blue cheese dressing, and you get a creamy, tart, spicy and tangy sauce that pairs delightfully with the rich and creamy fried mac n cheese balls.
All I can say is this is THE snack that you need to be whipping up year round, whether it’s for July 4th parties or tailgating!
If you need another crispy snack to try, check out these cheese corn balls!
Be sure to check out the recipe video below to see just how awesome this recipe is AND how easy it is to make!
This Recipe’s Must Haves
Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5-1/2-Quart Round Dutch Oven
to fry up these golden delicious bites of heaven with ease!
Helen Chen’s Asian Kitchen Stainless Steel Spider Strainer (you know, so removing those fried balls doesn’t burn the heck outta ya)
Head Country Bar-B-Q Sauce, Hot & Spicy AND
Head Country Championship Seasoning, Original, Sweet & Spicy, High Plains Heat
so you can make this recipe at home! Plus you’ll have some extra seasonings with that three-pack to experiment with 😉 It’s a win-win!
BBQ Fried Mac N Cheese Balls
ingredients
- 3 cups cooked macaroni and cheese homemade or store-bought
- 2 Tbsp + 3 tsp Head Country Original Seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 large eggs beaten
- 1 1/2 cups Panko
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 1/2 cup Head Country Hot & Spicy BBQ Sauce
- 1/4 cup blue cheese dressing
instructions
- Stir in 3 tsp Head Country Original Seasoning into the macaroni and cheese. Cover the pasta with plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze until firm (3 to 4 hours in the refrigerator, 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the freezer).
- Heat enough vegetable oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium high heat to be 3 to 4 inches deep.
- Using a spoon, take out 1 to 2 Tbsp of the macaroni and cheese to form balls. Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to fry.
- Combine flour, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stir to combine. Set aside.
- Combine 2 Tbsp Head Country Original Seasoning and panko. Stir to combine. Set aside.
- Working one at a time, dip balls into flour, then eggs, and finally in the panko mixture, being sure to press to coat well.
- Working in batches, add balls to the Dutch oven and cook until evenly golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Whisk together BBQ sauce and blue cheese dressing in a small bowl.
- Serve immediately with BBQ blue cheese sauce.
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