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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers » Cheap Party Food: Mexican Fried Mac and Cheese

    Cheap Party Food: Mexican Fried Mac and Cheese

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted July 7, 2014 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Game day food doesn't get any better than Mexican Fried Mac and Cheese balls. Not too spicy and incredibly addictive.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

     

    Mexican Fried Mac n Cheese Balls on a red plate.

    Are you watching the futbol games? I am! I invited my brother, his wife, my cousins, and their kids to watch a game at my house. I love a good Mexican futbol party! I didn’t want to make the same foods- tostitos con salsa, frijoles, fruta picada. I needed something different that wasn’t going to break the bank. I’m on a single mom budget, and I like cheap party food. I got the inspiration I needed while on a trip to Walmart to make Mexican Fried Mac and Cheese Balls.

    Holding a box of Kraft Mac n Cheese at a grocery store

    When I saw the Kraft Mac n Cheese, I thought of making Fried Mac and Cheese Balls but with a Mexican flare. Necesito sabores mexicanos en mi comida, and I know my Mexican family loves these flavors too. At $1.88, that’s some serious cheap party food. LOVE IT! Not only that, but they would go great with the traditional foods I normally serve at my futbol parties.

     

    Make Kraft Mac n Cheese as directed on the box. Let it cool slightly before handling.

    Mac n Cheese on a cutting board and a knife

    These Mexican Fried Mac and Cheese balls would be great to make with leftovers. I chopped them into little pedacitos because I wanted to be able to form the balls easily. You could totally skip this step and make bigger fried mac and cheese balls. It’s all about making #GolazoKraft #CollectiveBias

    Mac n Cheese Mixture in a bowl and a spoon

    You must put the mixture in the frig. If not, it’s won’t harden, and you won’t be able to form the mac and cheese balls.

    A collage showing how to make Mac n Cheese Balls.

    I’m using crackers here to bind and fry the balls. In Mexico, when we fry stuff, we use galletas saladas. Think milanesa or pescado frito. Yum! Yum!

    Fried Mac n Cheese Balls on a red plate.

    Check out these beauties! My family was BLOWN AWAY. The Mexican Fried Mac n Cheese balls didn’t make it passed halftime.

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!
    Fried Mac n Cheese Balls

    Mexican Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

    Game day food doesn't get any better than Mexican Fried Mac and Cheese balls. Not too spicy and incredibly addictive.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 155kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 1 box Kraft Mac n Cheese cooked
    • 2 green onions finely chopped
    • 4 bacon slices cooked and chopped
    • ½ bunch of cilantro finely chopped
    • ½ jalapeno finely diced
    • 1 tablespoon cumin
    • Dash of oregano
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup vegetable oil
    • 1 package of crackers
    • 3 eggs
    • Splash of milk

    Instructions

    • Cook Kraft Mac n Cheese according to the package instructions and chop into small pieces.
    • In a bowl, add green onions, bacon, cilantro, jalapeno, cumin, oregano, and salt. Mix well.
    • Crush ½ the package of crackers and add to the mixture.
    • Place it in the refrigerator for one hour.
    • Take out from the refrigerator and mold into 1 inch balls.
    • Place them back in the refrigerator for 1 hour more.
    • Take two plates out. In one plate, add milk and eggs, whisk and set aside.
    • In the other plate, crush the remaining crackers.
    • Heat the oil.
    • Take the mac n cheese balls out from the refrigerator.
    • Dip each individually in the egg mixture then cover it completely in the crackers.
    • Fry them in the oil for 2 minutes on each side.
    • Let me them drain on a paper towel. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Fried Mac n Cheese Balls next to salsa and chips

    Are kids going to be at your party? Here are some party tips:
    In addition to having drinks and food available for the kids, also have crayons handy and other age appropriate games. Before the game, set aside (above the refrigerator, for example) a deck of cards and puzzles. At halftime, refill the food station with more yummy goodies and take out the cards and puzzles. It will help keep the kids entertained while you’re watching the game.

     

    Filed Under: Appetizers

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alli

      July 7, 2014 at 4:28 pm

      These look so tasty! I know my kids would gobble them all up. Can’t wait to make them!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        July 9, 2014 at 10:25 am

        My son loved these! I need to make them again soon. Hope your kids enjoy. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Kate - Catching Up With Kate

      July 7, 2014 at 9:40 pm

      Oh my gosh! My son will LOVE these – he loves mac and cheese & this twist is super fun – I might attempt these for his birthday – yum!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        July 9, 2014 at 10:25 am

        He would love them! They make great party food. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Adriana Martin

      July 8, 2014 at 8:38 pm

      Very creative recipe, thanks for your participation in the #GolazoKraft shop #client

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        July 9, 2014 at 10:12 am

        Thanks Adriana. 🙂

        Reply

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