Slam Dunk Fried Mac and Cheese Bites!

🧂 Ingredients

• 1 16 oz. Box small elbow noodles - cooked and drained
• 4 Tablespoons Butter
• 3 Tablespoons All-purpose flour + 1 Cup flour for breading
• 1 Tablespoon Mustard powder
• 1 Tablespoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 5 Cups Whole milk
• 2 Cups Shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 Cups Cheddar Jack cheese
• 8 oz. Creamy havarti cheese - cut in chunks
• 2 Cups Crushed Cheez-It Hot and Spicy Grooves
• 2 Large eggs
• 2 Tablespoons Water

Instructions

• 1 Cook elbow noodles al dente according to package directions. Drain and set
  aside.
• 2 In the same pot used to cook the noodles, melt the butter onmedium heat.
• 3 Whisk in the 3 Tablespoons flour and spices. Cook for one minute, stirring
  constantly so it does not burn.
• 4 Slowly whisk in the milk a cup at a time. Whisk constantly to remove any lumps.
• 5 Bring the milk mixture to a steady simmer, stirring frequently. Simmer on medium
  heat for 4 - 7 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Make sure to continue
  to stir with your whisk to prevent scorching.
• 6 Once the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, add in your
  cheese.
• 7 Stir until everything has melted together.
• 8 Fold in your cooked elbow noodles.
• 9 Refrigerate your mac and cheese for at least one hour so it firms up a bit.
• 10 Once your mac and cheese is firm, set up your dredging station. (3 separate
  bowls - 1 cup flour. 2 large eggs whisked with 2 Tablespoons water. 2 cups
  crushed Cheez-It Hot & Spicy Grooves)
• 11 Using an ice cream scoop or a large Tablespoon, scoop out a spoonful of the
  chilled mac and cheese.
• 12 Roll into a ball. Coat with flour, then egg mixture, then Cheez-It Hot & Spicy
  Grooves crumbs. Place on a baking sheet until you have assembled all of your Mac
  and Cheese bites.
• 13 Using an electric fryer, or a deep skillet with just enough oil to cover the mac
  and cheese bites. Heat the oil to 350 degrees.
• 14 Working in small batches, fry the mac and cheese bites evenly on all sides until
  golden brown. About 5 minutes.
• 15 Remove to a paper towel to drain off the excess oil.
• 16 Serve hot with warm marinara or cool creamy ranch dip.

Nutrition Info