Baked Mac and Cheese Bites

These easy mac and cheese bites are such a fun party appetizer and a great way to use up leftovers! Crispy panko on the outside, creamy macaroni on the inside—no deep frying necessary.

Course Air fryer, Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Lunch & Dinner, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American

Diet Low Calorie, Low Salt, Vegetarian

Keyword baked mac and cheese bites, finger food appetizer, leftover mac and cheese bites, leftover macaroni and cheese, mac and cheese balls, mac and cheese bites, mac and cheese bites with panko, mac and cheese cups, macaroni and cheese bites, macaroni appetizer, macaroni bites, party appetizer

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 20

Freeze time 15

Total Time 1

Servings mac and cheese bites

Calories 102

Author Alyssia Sheikh

Equipment

cookie scoop (#40 or 1.5 Tbsp)
wire baking rack

Ingredients

3 cups mac and cheese cold
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs whisked
1½ cups panko breadcrumbs toasted
½ tsp salt

For Dipping

ranch dressing (or your favorite dipping sauce!)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and add breadcrumbs in a flat layer. Toast for 6 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden in color. Remove from oven & allow to cool on baking sheet.
Use a cookie scoop (#40 or 1.5-Tbsp) to portion cold mac and cheese. Roll each scoop into a ball with your hands, keeping them about the same size so they cook evenly.
Transfer rolled macaroni balls to a mini muffin tin or sheet pan and freeze for 15-20 minutes. (To help them firm up before coating them.)
Lay out 3 shallow dishes to set up your dredging station: Fill one dish with all-purpose flour, another with whisked eggs, and another with breadcrumbs & salt.
Dip chilled mac and cheese balls into flour, then whisked eggs, then toasted breadcrumbs, tossing to coat completely with each ingredient. Press with your hands to help the breadcrumbs adhere.
Transfer coated balls to a baking sheet with a wire rack on it. Repeat until all bites are assembled. Spray the tops with cooking spray before baking (to help them brown).
Bake mac and cheese bites for 20-25 minutes at 400°F (200°C), until browning on the edges.
Yields 24 mac and cheese bites (portioned with a 1.5-Tbsp or #40 cookie scoop).

Video

Nutrition