Description
Deliciously crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these Macaroni and Cheese Bites are a perfect bite-sized comfort food snack. Made with a blend of sharp and white cheddar cheeses and a crunchy panko breadcrumb topping, they are baked to golden perfection and ideal for parties, snacks, or appetizers.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Sauce Ingredients
- ¼ cup salted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon white ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup shredded white cheddar cheese
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces macaroni noodles, cooked and drained
- â…“ cup Panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin with butter or nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a pan over medium heat, melt the salted butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour, salt, garlic powder, and white ground pepper until a smooth mixture forms. Gradually pour in the whole milk while whisking continuously. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and white cheddar cheeses. Stir until the cheese melts completely and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked and drained macaroni noodles along with the panko breadcrumbs into the cheese sauce. Gently fold the ingredients together until well combined, creating a thick, cheesy macaroni mixture.
- Fill Muffin Tin: Spoon the mac and cheese mixture evenly into each muffin cup, filling them generously to form the bite-sized portions.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes until the tops turn golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the tin from the oven and allow the macaroni and cheese bites to cool for about 10 minutes to firm up before serving. Enjoy warm as a snack or appetizer.
Notes
- You can use sharp cheddar cheese alone if preferred for a stronger flavor.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle additional panko breadcrumbs on top before baking.
- Make sure to cool the bites slightly so they hold together better when served.
- These can be prepared ahead and reheated in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
- Substitute whole milk with 2% milk for a lighter version.
