Description

Macaroni and Cheese Bites are a delicious and bite-sized twist on the classic comfort food favorite. These cheesy, crispy-edged treats are perfect as appetizers, snacks, or party finger foods. Made with creamy cheddar cheese sauce combined with cooked macaroni noodles and baked in a muffin tin with a crunchy breadcrumb topping, they offer a perfect balance of gooey and crispy textures.

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

Mac and Cheese Mixture

8 ounces macaroni noodles, cooked and drained
⅓ cup Panko breadcrumbs

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin with butter or nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bites after baking.
Make the Roux: In a medium-sized skillet or pan over medium heat, melt the salted butter completely. Quickly whisk in the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, salt, and white ground pepper until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated. This forms the base for your cheese sauce.
Add Milk and Cheese: Gradually pour in the whole milk while whisking continuously. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and white cheddar cheeses. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Combine Macaroni and Breadcrumbs: Add the cooked and drained macaroni noodles along with the Panko breadcrumbs to the cheese sauce. Gently fold everything together until the noodles are well coated and the breadcrumbs are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Fill Muffin Tin: Spoon the macaroni and cheese mixture evenly into the prepared muffin tin cups, filling each one to the top.
Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the bites are set and lightly golden on top. Once done, remove the tin from the oven and use a spoon to carefully loosen the edges of each bite from the tray. Allow them to cool for 10 minutes to firm up before serving.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the macaroni and cheese bites warm as a delicious appetizer or snack. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy center with a crispy breadcrumb crust!

Notes

Using Panko breadcrumbs adds extra crunch to the bites. You can substitute regular breadcrumbs if needed, but the texture may vary.
Make sure to cool the bites for 10 minutes before removing; this helps them set and hold their shape better.
Feel free to add cooked bacon, jalapeños, or herbs to customize the flavor.
If you want a lower-fat version, substitute whole milk with 2% or use a mix of milk and broth.