Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites Recipe
These Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites are crispy, cheesy jalapeno-studded fried cheese balls perfect as a savory appetizer. Combining mozzarella and white cheddar with jalapenos and garlic, coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection, they offer a melty, spicy bite served best with ranch dressing. Perfect for parties or snacking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 cheese bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Breading Station
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Frying
- Vegetable oil or other neutral oil, for frying (enough to fill saucepan 1 inch deep)
- Ranch dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Mix Cheese and Jalapenos: In a large bowl, stir together shredded mozzarella, white cheddar, minced jalapenos, and garlic until evenly combined, creating a flavorful cheese mixture.
- Form and Freeze Cheese Balls: Using your hands, squeeze the cheese mixture tightly into 10 small balls. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze solid for 4 hours to ensure they hold shape during frying.
- Heat Oil for Frying: Pour vegetable oil into a medium saucepan to a depth of 1 inch. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 350°F, preparing for frying the cheese bites.
- Prepare Breading Station: Set up three bowls: one with flour, another whisked eggs and milk, and a third combining panko breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, and salt for seasoning.
- Bread the Cheese Balls: Remove the frozen cheese balls from the freezer and roll each first in flour, then dip into the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko mixture.
- Fry the Bites: Carefully add the breaded cheese balls to the hot oil in batches. Fry for 2 minutes on each side until golden brown with a crispy exterior and melty cheese inside. Remove with tongs or slotted spoon and drain on wire rack or paper towels.
- Serve: Serve the rattlesnake bites immediately, accompanied by ranch dressing for dipping, to enjoy their hot and gooey texture.
Notes
- Freezing the cheese balls thoroughly before frying is essential to prevent them from falling apart during cooking.
- You can adjust the amount of jalapenos depending on your spice preference.
- Using white cheddar gives the bites a sharp flavor; you can substitute for yellow cheddar if desired.
- Make sure the oil temperature stays around 350°F for best frying results and to avoid greasy bites.
Keywords: Texas Roadhouse, Rattlesnake Bites, copycat recipe, fried cheese balls, jalapeno bites, appetizer, snack, cheese appetizer
