Crispy Fried Cheese Balls (Better Than Takeout!)

Golden, Gooey Cheese Balls

Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside these cheese balls beat your favorite restaurant appetizer every time!

Prep Time: 20 min | Cook Time: 10 min | Total Time: 30 min

Ingredients

For the Cheese Balls:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For Breading:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs (beaten)
• 1½ cups seasoned breadcrumbs
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

Other:

• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)
• Marinara or ranch (for dipping, optional)

Instructions

1. Make the Cheese Mix:
   In a bowl, mix mozzarella, cheddar, cream cheese, and seasonings until well combined.
2. Shape & Freeze:
   Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a tray. Freeze for 20–30 minutes.
3. Bread the Cheese Balls:
   Set up 3 bowls: flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs (with paprika if using). Coat each ball in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs — repeat egg + breadcrumb for extra crunch.
4. Fry Until Golden:
   Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry cheese balls in batches for 2–3 minutes until crispy and golden. Drain on paper towels.
5. Serve & Enjoy:
   Garnish with parsley and serve hot with your favorite dip — marinara or ranch!

Pro Tips

• Double Bread for Extra Crunch: Egg + breadcrumb x2 = crunch perfection.
• Freeze Before Frying: Keeps the cheese from leaking out.
• Customize the Cheese Mix: Try Monterey Jack, gouda, or pepper jack for variety!

Nutrition Info (Per Cheese Ball)

Disclaimer:

Nutrition info is approximate. Always double-check with your preferred calculator.

Cheese Balls

Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, these cheese balls beat your favorite restaurant appetizer every time!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 cheese balls

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 100

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

For the Cheese Balls

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For Breading

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs (beaten)
• 1½ cups seasoned breadcrumbs
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

Other

• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)
• Marinara or ranch (for dipping, optional)

Method

 

Make the Cheese Mix

1. In a bowl, mix mozzarella, cheddar, cream cheese, and seasonings until well combined.

Shape & Freeze

1. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a tray. Freeze for 20–30 minutes.

Bread the Cheese Balls

1. Set up 3 bowls: flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs (with paprika if using). Coat each ball in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs — repeat egg + breadcrumb for extra crunch.

Fry Until Golden

1. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry cheese balls in batches for 2–3 minutes until crispy and golden. Drain on paper towels.

Serve & Enjoy

1. Garnish with parsley and serve hot with your favorite dip — marinara or ranch!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 4g

Notes

Double Bread for Extra Crunch: Egg + breadcrumb x2 = crunch perfection. Freeze Before Frying: Keeps the cheese from leaking out. Customize the Cheese Mix: Try Monterey Jack, gouda, or pepper jack for variety!

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!