Fried Mac and Cheese Balls (Using Leftover Macaroni & Cheese)

Making Mac and Cheese Balls is my FAVORITE way to use up leftover macaroni and cheese. These Fried Mac and Cheese Balls are undeniably delicious and super easy to make. Your going to love them!

Mac and Cheese Balls

Today I want to share with you my favorite way to use up leftover macaroni and cheese. I figured it was a good time since I’ve recently shared my favorite recipe for homemade mac and cheese recipe.

Obviously, reheating leftover mac and cheese is good – but I’m telling you, when you take that cheesy goodness and deep fry it…Oh, baby!

My mac and cheese balls have a crisp outside coating and molten mac and cheese in the center.

They are so freaking good. I mean – we just deep fried cheese so yeah, of course it’s gonna be good.

These fried mac and cheese balls are one my teenage daughter’s favorite thing. She’d be happy if I always kept a pan of cold mac and cheese in the fridge so she could whip up one anytime she got the hankering.

They’re simple as can be and you can fry up just one or a whole mess of them in no time at all.

These crispy, melty cheese bites are a great way to repurpose leftover mac and make the perfect finger food for any occasion!

Why You’ll Love My Mac and Cheese Balls

• Perfect way to use leftovers: These mac n cheese balls are a great way to repurpose leftover macaroni. Got some cold mac in the fridge? Turn it into a delicious appetizer that everyone will love.
• Crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside: That crispy coating, mixed with the creamy mac and gooey cheese sauce inside, makes for the perfect bite.
• Simple and quick: It’s just a few simple steps – roll, dip, coat, and fry. Plus, it’s perfect finger food!
• Kid-approved: These creamy, cheesy bites are loved by my whole family. Even picky eaters can’t resist fried mac!

Ingredients for Mac and Cheese Balls

• Leftover Cold Mac & Cheese: The cold mac holds its shape better, making it easier to roll into meatball-sized balls.
• Eggs: You’ll need eggs to help the panko breadcrumbs stick to the mac and cheese balls. Just beat them up in a shallow bowl. This egg wash adds a nice coating to help get that golden brown crunch when you fry or bake them.
• Panko Bread Crumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and crispier than regular breadcrumbs, making for that perfect crunchy coating. If you don’t have panko, regular breadcrumbs will work too, but panko is definitely the best way to go for extra crunch.
• Oil for Frying: You’ll need vegetable oil or any oil with a high smoke point to fry up these balls.

How to Make Mac and Cheese Balls

1. Get your mac ready: Start by grabbing your leftover cold mac & cheese. If your mac has extra cheese, even better! Just make sure it’s COLD.
2. Roll into balls: Using your hands or a cookie scoop, take portions of the mac and roll them into meatball-sized balls, about 1-2 inches. If this is your first time, don’t worry—they don’t have to be perfect. Just aim for a nice round shape.
3. Set up your breading station: In one shallow bowl, beat the eggs to create an egg wash. In another bowl, pour enough panko breadcrumbs to fully coat the mac balls. You can add salt, garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
4. Coat the mac and cheese balls: Dip each mac ball into the egg wash, making sure it’s well coated. Then, roll it in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to make sure the crumbs stick.
5. Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a medium saucepan, Dutch oven, or deep fryer. Heat the oil to about 350°F. You want enough oil to fully submerge the mac and cheese balls, so they fry evenly.
6. Fry until golden brown: Gently drop the coated mac balls into the hot oil and fry for about 2-3 minutes, turning them to get an even golden brown color. Don’t overcrowd the pot of oil, as it’ll make them soggy.
7. Drain the excess oil: Once your mac balls are fried, place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. You want your fried mac and cheese balls to stay crispy!
8. Serve and enjoy: These cheesy appetizers are now ready to enjoy!

Ways to Serve Mac and Cheese Balls

With dipping sauces: They are perfect with a variety of dippers. Marinara sauce is a classic choice, giving them a nice Italian twist.

You could also try ranch dressing, honey mustard, or even a homemade cheese sauce for extra melty goodness. Barbecue sauce or buffalo sauce are also some faves.

As a side dish: These crispy mac balls make a great side dish for sloppy joes, crack chicken burgers, fried chicken, or pork nuggets.

In a full meal: If you’re looking for a heartier dish, try serving them alongside roasted tomato soup. The crispy outside and melty cheeses inside pair perfectly with a warm bowl of soup.

For game day or movie night: These inch-sized balls are perfect for game day snacks or movie night. They’re easy to pop in your mouth and go great with cold drinks. Make a double batch and watch them disappear during the big game or family night in.

How to Store Leftover Mac and Cheese Balls

1. Let them cool first: Before storing your mac and cheese balls, make sure they cool down to room temperature.
2. Use an airtight container: Place the cooled mac and cheese balls in an airtight container. You can line the container with parchment paper if you’re stacking them to keep them from sticking together.
3. Refrigerate for next day use: If you plan to eat them the next day, pop the airtight container in the fridge. These cheese bites will still have that melty cheese goodness when you warm them up.
4. Freeze for longer storage: If you made a double batch and want to save some for later, you can freeze them. Lay the mac and cheese balls out on a lined baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour. Once they’re firm, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. This keeps them from sticking together. They’ll keep for up to a month.

Reheat and Enjoy

To reheat, you can either use the oven or air fryer. If you’re going for less oil, the air fryer basket is a great option. Just pop them in at 350°F for a few minutes until they’re heated through. No need to thaw if they’re frozen—just add a few extra minutes of cooking time.

Print Pin

Fried Mac & Cheese Balls

My favorite way to use up & transform leftover macaroni & cheese!

Ingredients

• leftover cold mac & cheese
• eggs ,beaten
• panko bread crumbs enough to coat
• oil for frying

Instructions

• Roll leftover cold mac & cheese in balls. Dip in beaten egg & then dredge in panko bread crumbs. Fry in hot oil until golden brown.