Description
Spicy “Rattlesnake Bites” from Texas Roadhouse deliver a zesty punch of jalapeño and cheese excitement. Crispy golden exteriors give way to creamy, heat-packed centers that promise a delicious southwestern snack you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded Cheddar cheese
- 23 jalapenos, finely chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
Coating and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) milk
- 1 cup (100 g) breadcrumbs (Panko for extra crunch)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking and Dipping Ingredients:
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- ½ cup (120 ml) ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Blend shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses with finely diced jalapenos in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients and robust flavor profile.
- Gently form compact, uniform spheres approximately one inch in diameter, carefully maintaining consistent size to ensure even cooking.
- Transfer cheese spheres onto a flat tray, then position in freezer for a precise 30-minute interval to solidify structure and prevent disintegration during subsequent cooking process.
- Prepare a robust coating mixture that will enhance exterior crispness and provide additional layers of zesty complexity to the appetizer.
- Carefully encase each chilled cheese sphere in the prepared coating, ensuring complete and smooth coverage without leaving any exposed areas.
- Heat cooking oil to optimal temperature, creating an environment that will transform the exterior into a golden, crispy shell while maintaining a molten cheese interior.
- Delicately lower coated cheese spheres into hot oil, frying until exterior achieves a rich, amber-brown coloration and develops a satisfying crunch.
- Remove fried rattlesnake bites using a slotted utensil, allowing excess oil to drain, then transfer to an absorbent paper surface to eliminate additional grease.
- Allow brief cooling period to prevent potential mouth burns, then serve immediately as a tantalizing appetizer with accompanying dipping sauce.
Notes
- Chill cheese balls thoroughly before frying to prevent them from falling apart in hot oil and ensure a crispy, intact exterior.
- Use room temperature cheeses for easier mixing and shaping, creating smoother, more consistent bite-sized appetizers.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or smoked cheddar to add unique flavor profiles and personalize the recipe.
- For a lighter version, consider baking the cheese bites at 400°F for 10-12 minutes instead of deep-frying, reducing overall oil content.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg