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RITZ Jalapeño Popper Bites

For a fun addition to any party, try these deep fried cheese and jalapeño bites. They're easy to make in an air fryer or deep fryer, and can even be made ahead.

Prep time

1 hr

Total time

1 hr 20 min

Servings

Makes 10 servings, 3 poppers each.

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    Ingredients
    • 1 pkg. (8 oz.) brick cream cheese, softened
    • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
    • 1 cup shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese
    • 2 large jalapeño peppers, finely chopped 
    • 1 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1 egg
    • 2 Tbsp. flour
    • 28 RITZ Crackers, crushed
    •  Oil, for frying
Preparation
  • Mix cream cheese, shredded cheeses, peppers and garlic powder until blended; roll into 30 (1-1/4-inch) balls. Place on parchment-covered rimmed baking sheet. 
  • Freeze 20 min. or until firm enough to easily handle.
  • Beat egg in shallow dish until blended. Place flour in separate shallow dish, then place cracker crumbs in third dish.
  • Dip cheese balls, one at a time, in flour, turning to evenly coat each ball with flour.  Shake cheese ball gently to remove excess flour, then dip cheese balls in eggs, then cracker crumbs, turning to evenly coat each cheese ball with each ingredient. Gently press crumbs into cheese balls to secure.  Refrigerate until ready to cook. 
  • Heat oil in deep fryer to 350°F. Add cheese balls, in small batches, to hot oil; cook 1 min. or until golden brown. Remove from oil with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Cool slightly.

Recipe Tips

Use Your Air FryerHeat air fryer to 325°F. Spray crumb-coated cheese balls with cooking spray if desired.  Place, in batches, in single layer in air fryer basket, leaving spaces between cheese balls.  Cook 3 to 5 min. or until cheese balls are crisp and golden brown.   Place on paper towel-covered cooling rack; cool slightly. 

Make AheadThese fun-to-eat cheese poppers can be partially prepped ahead of time. Coat cheese balls with ingredients as directed. Place in single layer on baking sheet.  Freeze 1 hour, then transfer cheese balls to freezer-weight resealable plastic bag. Freeze up to 1 week.  Refrigerate frozen cheese balls overnight to thaw before cooking as directed. Note: If cooking the cheese balls in an air fryer, no need to thaw them before cooking. 

Variation Prepare using Neufchatel cheese and/or shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese. 

425079
Amount per serving Calories 260
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g
Saturated Fat 10g
Trans Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 60mg
Sodium 290mg
Carbohydrate 8g
Dietary Fiber 0g
Total Sugars 2g
Added Sugars <1g
Protein 8g
Vitamin A 10% DV
Vitamin C 2% DV
Vitamin D 0% DV
Calcium 15% DV
Iron 2% DV
Potassium 2% DV

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