Description
These golden cheese balls are the perfect crispy, melty snack with a bold cheesy center and a crunchy, golden crust. Whether baked or fried, they’re always a crowd-pleasing appetizer for parties, holidays, or game day.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or preferred cheese blend)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup bread crumbs or crushed cornflakes (for coating)
- Optional: ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, 2 tablespoons chopped chives
- Oil for frying or cooking spray for baking
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix cheese, flour, baking powder, salt, and any optional seasonings.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs and milk. Add to dry ingredients and mix to form a soft dough.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and chill for 15–20 minutes.
- Coat each ball in bread crumbs or crushed cornflakes.
- To fry: Heat oil to 350°F and fry in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden.
- To bake: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place balls on a lined sheet, spray with oil, and bake 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Cool slightly and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Mix and match cheeses for different flavors (cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack).
- Add-ins like jalapeños or a cube of cheese in the center make these even better.
- Freeze uncooked balls and cook from frozen with just a few extra minutes added.
