Description
Golden, crunchy spheres of melty cheddar and cream cheese studded with bright jalapeño, wrapped in a crisp Panko shell. Perfect for parties or a spicy snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh jalapeños (about 3–4 peppers)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature. Grate cheddar cheese and finely dice jalapeños (removing seeds for milder heat). In a bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar, jalapeños, and 1 egg until creamy. Refrigerate for 1–2 hours.
- Create a breading station: Dish 1 – flour, Dish 2 – whisked egg with water, Dish 3 – panko breadcrumbs. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Remove chilled mixture, portion out golf-ball-sized amounts, and roll into spheres. Roll in flour, dip in egg wash, and coat with panko. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Heat oil to 350–375°F (175–190°C). Fry balls in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden and crunchy. Drain on paper towels.
- For air frying, preheat to 375°F (190°C), spray balls, and air fry for 8–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- For baking, preheat to 400°F (200°C), place on a baking sheet, mist with oil, and bake for 15–20 minutes until golden.
- Serve warm with dipping sauces of choice.
Notes
Chilling the filling and breaded balls is crucial to prevent leaks during cooking. Panko breadcrumbs provide superior crunch.
- Prep Time: 120 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying, Air Frying, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 balls
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: crispy, cheese, jalapeño, snack, appetizer, party food