Welcome to the happiest time of year – appetizer season! Okay, okay, I’m joking – kind of. But I do love holiday entertaining time because appetizers just make me happy. I’ll choose savory over sweet 99% of the time and often make whole meals of just appetizers. So, all the tasty little tidbits served over the holidays are foodie heaven for me! These baked macaroni and cheese bites bring appetizer and comfort food together in one bundle. Yum!
When it comes to holiday parties, we often have our favorites that we serve year after year but it’s always fun to try something new. I love macaroni and cheese, but I’ll be honest. I’ve tried those fried mac and cheese balls at restaurants before and didn’t like them at all. Still, I knew with my deep abiding love of all things cheesy, there must be a way to tweak it. The key was baking them. Bonus points: they’re lower in calories too!
Welcome to Day 5 of the Fourth Annual 12 Days of Christmas Series!
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It’s Day 5 and we are sharing Holiday Party Food Ideas!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese Bites
Little bites of creamy macaroni and cheese baked to perfection! A great addition to any party menu.
Ingredients
- 3 cups macaroni and cheese
- 3/4 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
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Form cold macaroni and cheese into balls, about the size of a ping pong ball.
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Coat a baking sheet with olive oil.
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Beat the eggs.
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Set out a bowl of flour, a bowl with the beaten eggs in it, and a bowl of bread crumbs.
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Coat each mac and cheese ball in flour, dip into the eggs, and then cover in bread crumbs.
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Place coated macaroni and cheese bites on the baking sheet.
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Bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees F.
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Turn the bites over and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
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Serve with dipping sauce - some of our favorite choices are Sriracha, marinara sauce, or Ranch dip.
Recipe Notes
It's best to use leftover macaroni and cheese that is as cold as possible (but not frozen). Make sure it has been in the fridge for a minimum of 12 hours to get the best results.
Scroll down for many more Holiday Party Food Ideas for your holiday season!
On Day 4, we shared kids’ Christmas craft ideas. Check out this adorable paper nutcracker craft. It’s a fun idea for Christmas and the perfect follow-up to the new movie, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.
Yami | The Latina Next Door says
These look so yummy! I need to try these for sure!
Marie InteriorFrugalista says
Macaroni appetizer, what’s not to love! Yummy
Marie | DIY Adulation says
My kids would go nuts over these! What a fantastic and unexpected appetizer idea. Thanks for the delicious new recipe .
Carlee says
My tummy is growling just thinking about these! My guys will go nuts for them too!
Carlee recently posted…Santa’s Belt Cupcakes
Beverly says
Yum! I love that these are baked. I know they’d be a big hit at our parties. Can’t wait to try your recipe.
Jenny says
Macaroni & cheese is a favorite at my house. I can’t wait to make these for the kids and see if they like them!
Brianne says
My kids and husband would love these! They look super easy to make! Very delicious-looking.
Brianne recently posted…Thankful and Grateful
Ann F. Snook-Moreau says
OMG I love mac and cheese bites! I might have to bring these to my friend’s annual Christmas party this year.
Jeanette says
This would be gone the second I put them on the table! This would be a great game day treat too! I know my family would love them.
Jenn says
I made these a few times with a similar recipe. I’ll have to give this recipe a try, I bet my family will love them.
Trina says
These look delicious, my daughter is obsessed with all kinds of Mac and Cheese so I have to try these bites!
Trina recently posted…3 Tips to Calm the Holiday Chaos this Year
Ricci says
I am a Mac & Cheese fanatic! I would love to make these for myself soon!! YUM!
Kathy says
Wow, these look amazing. I’m going to save this so I can try them later. My girls love mac and cheese, and I bet these are going to be delicious!
Thena Franssen says
I’m not gonna lie…while my children would love these, I can’t wait to make them so I can try them too!
Danielle says
These look so delicious! I want to try some!
Super Mom - No Cape! says
It sure wouldn’t take long for these to be gobbled up at a party! They sound yummy and total comfort food.
Super Mom - No Cape! says
I can’t wait to try these!