Jalapeño Popper Bites
Ingredients:
8 ounces cream cheese,, softened
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 jalapenos,, seeded and minced
6 slices bacon,, cooked and crumbled
2 teaspoons hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Flour Mixture
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Egg Mixture
2 large eggs
2 to 3 teaspoons water
Bread Crumb Mixture
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
Remaining Ingredients
Vegetable oil for frying
Ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping
Instructions:
-In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, pepper jack cheese, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, bacon, hot sauce and garlic powder.
-Shape mixture into balls slightly large than 1-inch. (You should get about 16.)
-Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 30 minutes.
-In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, paprika, and cayenne. Set aside.
-In a second bowl, whisk together eggs and water. Set aside.
-In a pie plate, combine bread crumbs, Panko crumbs, and salt.
-Pour about 1 inch of oil into a Dutch oven. Heat to 350 degrees.
-While the oil heats, dip the balls in flour, coat in egg mixture and then coat in bread crumb mixture. If oil is not ready, place them in the refrigerator.
-Fry in 2 to 3 batches for about 2 minutes or until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate.
-Serve warm with dressing for dipping.
