Bacon Jalapeño Crispy Fried Cheese Bars
Bacon Jalapeño Crispy Fried Cheese Bars
Ingredients
For the Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 6 strips bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 2 jalapeños, small, seeded and finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Breading and Frying
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for deep frying, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, finely diced red onion, chopped green onions, crumbled bacon, diced jalapeños, minced garlic, shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and evenly distributed.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Transfer the cheese mixture onto the parchment paper and spread it into an even, flat layer, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for at least 2 hours, or until the mixture is firm enough to handle and cut easily.
⏱️ 120 min
- 3
Once firm, remove the cheese block from the freezer. Using a sharp knife, cut the block into individual rectangular bars or sticks, approximately 1 inch wide and 3 inches long. You should get about 12-16 bars.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Set up a breading station: In one shallow dish, place the beaten eggs for the egg wash. In another shallow dish, place the Panko breadcrumbs. Take each cheese bar, dip it first into the egg wash, ensuring full coverage, then dredge it thoroughly in the Panko breadcrumbs. Repeat this process for a second coating: dip the bar back into the egg wash, then into the Panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure a thick, even coating. Place the breaded bars on a clean plate or baking sheet.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
In a deep pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F. Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature. Carefully place a few breaded cheese bars into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350
- 6
Using a slotted spoon or spider, remove the fried cheese bars from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and gooey.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Bacon Jalapeño Crispy Fried Cheese Bars
Ingredients
For the Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 6 strips bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 2 jalapeños, small, seeded and finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Breading and Frying
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for deep frying, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, finely diced red onion, chopped green onions, crumbled bacon, diced jalapeños, minced garlic, shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and evenly distributed.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Transfer the cheese mixture onto the parchment paper and spread it into an even, flat layer, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for at least 2 hours, or until the mixture is firm enough to handle and cut easily.
⏱️ 120 min - 3
Once firm, remove the cheese block from the freezer. Using a sharp knife, cut the block into individual rectangular bars or sticks, approximately 1 inch wide and 3 inches long. You should get about 12-16 bars.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Set up a breading station: In one shallow dish, place the beaten eggs for the egg wash. In another shallow dish, place the Panko breadcrumbs. Take each cheese bar, dip it first into the egg wash, ensuring full coverage, then dredge it thoroughly in the Panko breadcrumbs. Repeat this process for a second coating: dip the bar back into the egg wash, then into the Panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure a thick, even coating. Place the breaded bars on a clean plate or baking sheet.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
In a deep pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F. Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature. Carefully place a few breaded cheese bars into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350 - 6
Using a slotted spoon or spider, remove the fried cheese bars from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and gooey.
⏱️ 5 min