RECIPE PREP THE DAY BEFORE

This is a make-ahead recipe! You’re preparing now for enjoyment later! Fold fire-roasted chilies into prepared macaroni and cheese. Inside a small freezer-safe baking dish, use a spatula to firmly compress the pasta. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.

FRIED MAC AND CHEESE BITES RECIPE

In order to successfully form the balls and later coat them with crumbs, the mac and cheese mixture must be super cold. Don’t skip any steps for using the freezer to firm them up!

RECIPE PREP:

• Transfer the mac and cheese dish from the refrigerator to the freezer. Freeze for 45 minutes.
• Place corn chips in a zip-top bag. Press out air and seal. Finely crush chips with a rolling pin or the back of a measuring cup.

Here’s how to make these easy party snacks, step by step:

1. Portion out the mac and cheese using a medium-size, stainless-steel scoop. With clean hands, firmly compress each ball. Place the balls on a lined baking tray. Stick the tray into the freezer for 45 minutes.
2. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl. Transfer panko crumbs and crushed chips into small bowls. Remove the mac and cheese bites from the freezer. Work with one ball at a time: dip it into the egg. Roll it in the bowl of panko crumbs. Dip ball back into egg. Roll it in chip crumbs. Return ball to the lined tray. Repeat with remaining balls.
3. Return tray to the freezer for 30 minutes or until you’re ready to fry the batch. When you’re ready to fry them, heat oil to 350°F in a small pot. Use a candy thermometer to continuously monitor the oil temperature. The oil should completely cover the balls and allow them to freely float while cooking.Fry 3 balls at a time for 1 minute, or until they’re golden orange/brown. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate.
4. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately!