Description
Spicy, cheesy copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites deliver a zesty kick that brings restaurant-style appetizers straight to home kitchens. Crispy jalapeño poppers packed with cream cheese promise a crowd-pleasing snack you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
- 2 large eggs
Coating Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 0.25 cup milk
- Vegetable oil or other neutral oil, for frying
- Ranch dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Craft a delectable cheese mixture by thoroughly blending mozzarella, cheddar, jalapeños, and garlic in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients with careful hand mixing.
- Meticulously form the cheese blend into compact, tightly compressed spherical bites, applying firm pressure to prevent potential disintegration during cooking.
- Strategically place the prepared cheese balls into the freezer for approximately four hours, allowing them to solidify and maintain structural integrity during the subsequent cooking process.
- Prepare a comprehensive breading setup with three distinct stations: seasoned flour, whisked egg and milk mixture, and a panko breadcrumb blend enhanced with smoked paprika and salt for optimal coating coverage.
- Carefully heat cooking oil to precisely 350°F, verifying temperature using a bread test method to ensure optimal frying conditions.
- Gently submerge the frozen cheese bites into the hot oil, frying each side for approximately two minutes until achieving a golden-brown exterior with a molten cheese center.
- Remove the fried bites using a slotted spoon, transferring them to a wire rack or paper towel-lined surface to eliminate excess oil and maintain crispiness.
- Serve the rattlesnake bites immediately alongside a creamy ranch dipping sauce, ensuring maximum flavor and temperature enjoyment.
Notes
- Choose full-fat, high-moisture cheeses like mozzarella and sharp cheddar for maximum meltiness and flavor intensity.
- Adjust jalapeño quantity based on spice tolerance, removing seeds for milder heat or adding more for extra kick.
- Thoroughly freeze cheese balls for at least 4 hours to prevent cheese leakage during frying and ensure crispy, intact exterior.
- Press panko coating firmly onto each ball, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum crunchiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg