Description
These Macaroni and Cheese Bites are a deliciously crispy and creamy twist on classic mac and cheese, baked to golden perfection in a muffin tin. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or party treat, they combine a rich cheese sauce with tender macaroni noodles and a crunchy breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Sauce
- 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
Other
- â…“ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 8 ounces macaroni noodles, cooked and drained
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a muffin tin with butter or nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make Roux: In a medium-sized pan or skillet over medium heat, melt the salted butter completely. Quickly whisk in the all-purpose flour along with the salt, garlic powder, and white ground pepper until the mixture is smooth and combined, forming a roux.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Gradually add the whole milk to the roux, stirring continuously and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and add both the sharp cheddar and white cheddar cheeses. Stir continuously until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce has thickened to coat the back of a spoon.
- Combine Ingredients: Fold the cooked and drained macaroni noodles and Panko breadcrumbs into the cheese sauce until everything is thoroughly mixed.
- Fill Muffin Tin: Spoon the mac and cheese mixture evenly into the prepared muffin tin cups, filling each cup.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Once done, remove the pan and use a spoon to carefully loosen the edges of each mac and cheese bite from the tin.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bites to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set before serving. Enjoy your crispy, creamy macaroni and cheese bites warm!
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and flavor.
- For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- These bites can be made ahead and reheated in the oven or air fryer for a quick snack.
- Substitute whole milk with 2% milk for a lighter option.
- Panko breadcrumbs are preferred for their crunch, but regular breadcrumbs can be used if necessary.
