Description

These crispy baked mac and cheese bites are a quick, fun, and crowd-pleasing snack or meal perfect for busy weeknights. They combine creamy, cheesy mac and cheese with a crunchy panko-Parmesan crust.

Ingredients

Scale

8 ounces elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup whole milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional: ½ cup crispy bacon bits
Optional: ½ cup finely chopped spinach or roasted red peppers

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
Slowly add milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Simmer gently until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
Pour cheese sauce over cooked pasta and stir to coat. Fold in optional bacon bits or veggies if using.
Transfer mixture to a shallow dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up (optional but recommended).
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Beat eggs in one bowl. In another bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of mac and cheese mixture and roll into balls.
Dip each ball into beaten eggs, then roll in panko-Parmesan mixture until fully coated. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces such as ketchup, ranch, or spicy sriracha mayo.

Notes

[‘Chill the mac and cheese mixture before shaping to help bites hold together.’, ‘Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crispier crust.’, ‘Include Parmesan in the breadcrumb coating for extra cheesy flavor and browning.’, ‘Flip bites halfway through baking for even crispiness.’, ‘Bites can be made ahead and frozen before baking; add 5-7 minutes to baking time when baking from frozen.’, ‘Reheat leftovers in oven or air fryer to restore crispiness; avoid microwaving if possible.’]

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Snack
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 4 bites per se
Calories: 350
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 400
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 28
Fiber: 1
Protein: 13

Keywords: mac and cheese bites, crispy mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, snack recipe, easy weeknight recipe, cheesy bites