Description
Spicy pepper jack cheese wrapped in crispy jalapeño-studded breading, these texas roadhouse rattlesnake bites deliver a zesty kick that ignites taste buds. Creamy, crunchy, and packed with southwestern flair, you’ll savor each irresistible bite of this crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 23 jalapenos, finely chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
Coating Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko for extra crunch)
Seasoning and Frying Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Dipping Sauce:
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Create a zesty cheese blend by thoroughly mixing Monterey Jack, Cheddar, and finely diced jalapeños into a uniform mixture.
- Form compact, golf ball-sized cheese spheres using your hands, ensuring they are tightly packed and uniform in size.
- Chill the cheese balls in the freezer for approximately 30 minutes to maintain their structural integrity during cooking.
- Establish three separate breading stations: one with seasoned flour, another with whisked eggs and milk, and the final station with seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Carefully roll each frozen cheese ball first in flour, ensuring complete coverage, then immerse in egg mixture, and finally coat generously with seasoned breadcrumbs.
- For enhanced crispiness, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating process, creating a thicker protective layer.
- Return the double-coated cheese bites to the freezer for an additional 15-minute firming period.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to precisely 175°C, maintaining a consistent temperature for optimal frying.
- Gently lower breaded cheese bites into hot oil, frying in small batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure even golden-brown coloration.
- Remove bites using a slotted spoon, allowing excess oil to drain on paper towels to maintain crispness.
- Prepare a tangy dipping sauce by blending ranch dressing with hot sauce, creating a complementary flavor profile.
- Serve immediately while cheese remains molten and coating maintains maximum crunchiness.
- Alternative cooking method: Bake at 200°C for 10-12 minutes for a lighter preparation, if preferred.
- Optional flavor enhancement: Incorporate crumbled bacon into the initial cheese mixture for added depth and complexity.
Notes
- Chill cheese balls thoroughly to prevent melting during frying, ensuring a perfect crispy exterior and gooey cheese center.
- Double-coat breading creates an extra crunchy layer that locks in the spicy, cheesy goodness and prevents cheese from leaking.
- Choose jalapeños wisely by removing seeds for milder heat or keeping them for a spicier kick, tailoring the heat level to personal preference.
- Experiment with alternative cheese blends like pepper jack or smoked gouda to add unique flavor dimensions to the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg