Recipe: Deep Fried Spicy Mac ‘n Cheese Bites

It’s time for another Walmart challenge!  I know I always refer to these posts as “challenges”–but this time it really was!  Walmart asked me to come up with a recipe for Gametime (ie a Superbowl party) using two items from their list of featured game day snacks:

Orville POP Crunch White & Sharp Cheddar~Rotel~Wheat Thins Family Size~Popcorn Indiana Movie Theatre Popcorn~Ritz Toasted Chips Sour Cream & Onion~Special K Popcorn Chips~ Austin Crackers ~Lay’s Classic Potato Chips~Cantina Thin Tortilla Chips~Cantina Salsa Con Queso~TGIF Cheddar Bacon Potatoes~Chex Mix Traditional~Premium Diet Peach Snapple tea~Hershey Miniatures~M&M’s Snack Mix Milk Chocolate

Really?  Only one of the items was really an ingredient–the Rotel.  They did clarify that we could use one item to make something and then use another item to dip. . . that made it a bit better–but the logical choice was to use the Rotel to make some sort of dip and then use one of the crackers or chips to dip into.

That was just too easy.  I was sure one of the other fabulous Walmart Moms would do that, and I wanted to be original.  I don’t know why, but the idea of  “Deep Fried Macaroni” popped into my mind.  (note: I’ve been on kind of a frying kick lately.  It almost makes me want to run to Walmart and buy a Fry Daddy. But then I would just fry even more. . . ) Hmmm.  I could add the Rotel into the macaroni and cheese-that would be tasty.  But it that was still just using one ingredient.

That’s when I figured “What the heck-it’s already going to be a heart attack waiting to happen, why not use the Lays Potato Chips for the breading?”

And that, my friends, is how Spicy Deep Fried Mac ‘n Cheese Bites were born!

Health food they are not. . . but we all agreed that what they are is YUMMY.  These are sure to be a hit at any Gameday party you host or attend.

Basically I made a nice homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe using some nice sharp cheddar cheese mixed with some Colby Jack:

Then I mixed in some Rotel:

When it was done cooking (note: the pan in this picture is a double batch) I put the pan in the refrigerator to chill.  I left it in overnight.

Then I cut it in cubes and dredged it in flour, then egg whites, and then crushed Lays Potato Chips:

In small batches I fried them in a couple of inches of oil (I used my dutch oven on my stovetop):

Finally I set them on a tray to drain:

Delicious!  Here’s the “official” recipe:

Print

Spicy Deep Fried Mac

Ingredients

Spicy Mac 'n Cheese

• 2 C Elbow Macaroni uncooked
• 2 TBS Butter
• 2 C Milk
• 1 Egg
• 2 C Shredded Cheese I used Sharp Cheddar & Colby Jack
• 1 Can Rotel Tomatoes

Deep Fried Bites

• 2/3 C Flour
• Salt & Pepper
• 2 eggs beaten
• 2 C Crushed Potato Chips

Instructions

To make the Spicy Mac 'n Cheese

1. -Heat oven to 350
2. -Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain well.
3. -Return noodles to the pot, add butter and stir until it is melted.
4. -In a bowl beat together milk and eggs.
5. -Pour milk/egg mixture over the noodles, add the drained Rotel and cheese and mix well.
6. -Tranfer mixture to a greased baking dish (approx 8X8) and bake for 30 minutes at 350.

To Make the Deep Fried Bites

1. -Refrigerate the Spicy Mac 'n Cheese until firm--several hours to a couple of days.
2. -Cut mac 'n cheese into small cubes.
3. -Set up your 3 dredging bowls.
4. #1-Flour seasoned with salt and pepper
5. #2-Well beaten eggs (they should be beaten enough to have a watery consistency)
6. #3-Crushed Lays Potato Chips
7. -Heat 1-2 inches of oil in your dutch oven, deep frying pan or stock pot.
8. -Dredge your Mac 'n Cheese Bites in flour, egg, then chips. Set the finished Bites on a plate or tray.
9. -Fry Bites in oil until golden brown, flipping half way through. This should only take a few minutes per Mac 'n Cheese Bite.
10. -Drain on a tray and keep in a warm oven until all the bites are done.
11. -Enjoy!

Variations

1. -You can use any macaroni and cheese recipe that you enjoy--even a boxed mix! It has to be something that will set up enough to be cut into squares.
2. -Use any type of shredded cheese in the recipe.
3. -The Rotel can be omitted. You can use any other add ins that go with Mac 'n Cheese.
4. -Instead of potato chips the final dredging can be panko or regular bread crumbs--or even just another layer of seasoned flour.
5. -

Remember to check out Walmart for all your Gametime Entertaining Needs! And if you are looking for some more Gametime recipes, I’ve got you covered.  Why not try my Pizza Dip, Buffalo Chicken Dip, Reuben Dip, Cheesy Sweet Onion Dip, Spinach Artichoke Dip, California Rolls, Oven Baked “Wings”, or Pizza Monkey Bread?

 ****This is a sponsored post****

Disclosure: As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I’ve received product samples and compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.