A step-by-step guide to making crispy and cheesy homemade cheese balls:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your preferred melting cheese)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano or any preferred herbs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup milk
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
2. Form the Cheese Balls:
- Take small portions of the cheese mixture and roll them between your palms to form small bite-sized balls. You can make the balls as big or as small as you like.
3. Prepare the Coating Station:
- Set up a coating station with three bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with milk, and one with breadcrumbs. This will help create a crispy outer layer for the cheese balls.
4. Coat the Cheese Balls:
- Roll each cheese ball in the flour, ensuring it's coated evenly.
- Dip the floured cheese ball into the milk, allowing any excess milk to drip off.
- Roll the cheese ball in the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere the breadcrumbs to the surface. Make sure the cheese ball is coated well with breadcrumbs for a crispy texture.
5. Repeat and Chill:
- Repeat the coating process for all the cheese balls.
- Place the coated cheese balls on a plate or tray and refrigerate them for about 20-30 minutes. Chilling helps the coating set and prevents the cheese balls from falling apart during frying.
6. Frying:
- Heat oil in a deep pot or fryer to around 350°F to 375°F (175°C to 190°C).
- Carefully add a few cheese balls to the hot oil, ensuring they have enough space to fry evenly. Fry them for about 2-3 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
7. Drain and Serve:
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried cheese balls from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
- Your crispy and cheesy homemade cheese balls are ready to be served! They can be enjoyed as a snack or appetizer with your favorite dipping sauces.
Tips:
- Feel free to customize the seasonings and herbs to your taste.
- You can experiment with different types of cheeses for varying flavors.
- For a slightly healthier option, you can also bake the cheese balls in a preheated oven at around 375°F (190°C) until they're golden brown and crispy.
Enjoy your cheesy and crispy delights!