Crispy Chilli Cheese Nuggets Recipe With Jalapenos
Chilli Cheese Nuggets are a mixture of three cheeses mixed with sliced jalapeno peppers and a delicious crispy coating. They make the perfect spicy sharing starter or cheesy side dish that the whole family will love!
Recipe Overview
Skill Level:
INTERMEDIATE
Prep Time:
1 HOUR
Prep-Ahead?
Yes!
Cook Time:
15 MINUTES
What Makes This Recipe Great
Freezer-Friendly – Before frying, the cheese nuggets can be prepared and frozen for a future meal.
Easy To Make – An appetizer that’s perfect for beginners to make and enjoy.
Copycat Fast Food – Save yourself money by creating a fast food recipe in the comfort of your own home.
About This Recipe
I wanted to create a gooey cheese nugget that was easy to make and great for sharing. Chilli cheese bites seemed like the way to go.
You really can’t go wrong with breaded cheese recipes. These Halloumi Nuggets or a classic Mozzarella Fritta are a testament to that. And, I love sharing platters that everyone can help themselves to. It’s cheesy finger food that’s great for movie nights and parties too!
Kids, of course, will go crazy for fast food like Burger King and I love to create recipes at home that rival the things you can buy, which not only saves money, but also allows you to know exactly what you are eating and feeding the kids too! Just like my Butterfly Nando’s-Style Burger or these Sausage, Bean and Cheese Melts.
The spice level is adjustable, so if you have family-members who prefer things a little more mild, you can adapt these crispy cheese bites with their delicious crunchy coating to suit your tastes. Alternatively, if you want to fire things up and create a more spicy appetizer go ahead and add more spice. I’ve kept things about mid-level here so you can choose to go either way.
Equipment Needed
- Food Processor – Used for cheese preparation, to blend the three cheeses together.
- Sharp Knife and Chopping Board – For slicing the jalapenos.
- Clingfilm/Plastic Wrap – To cover the cheese in when you roll it into a log.
- 3 Shallow Bowls – To hold the ingredients and make a breading station. Make sure each one can easily fit the slices in for coating.
- Baking Tray/Baking Sheet – Lined with baking paper. To place the prepared chilli cheese nuggets on for chilling in the fridge.
- Large Frying Pan or Large Skillet – For frying the cheese nuggets on the stovetop. You can also use a deep fryer if you have one.
- Slotted Spoon – Ideal for lifting the nuggets from the oil once fried. You can also use a spatula or large spoon if necessary.
- Wire Rack – Sit a wire rack over kitchen paper towels to absorb any excess oil drips, if you are frying in batches.
Ingredients
- American Cheese Slices, Rich Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella: This 3 cheese combination creates the creamy filling for the chilli cheese nuggets.
- Jalapenos: Finely chopped and mixed in for a spicy kick. Adjust the amount depending on how spicy you like your recipes. You can use fresh or canned jalapenos.
- Plain Flour, Eggs, Breadcrumbs: These are the classic ingredients for a breading station that are used to create a crispy outer coating for the nuggets.
- Chilli Powder, Sweet Smoked Paprika: Add smokiness and a touch of heat to the breadcrumb coating.
- Salt & Pepper: Season the breadcrumb mixture for additional flavour.
- Oil: Used for frying the nuggets to achieve a golden brown and crispy exterior. I am using sunflower oil but you can choose any oil that is suitable for frying such as vegetable oil.
Additions and Substitutions
Wondering if you can substitute or add an ingredient? Here, I will tell you if that’s possible.
Substitutions:
- Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different cheese combinations! Monterey Jack cheese, pepper jack cheese, or even a crumbled blue cheese would add unique flavours. For a richer flavour, try substituting some of the mozzarella with Gruyere cheese.
- Spice level: Not a fan of jalapenos? Omit them entirely or use a milder pepper like poblano peppers. For an extra kick, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese mixture.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs can be used instead of regular breadcrumbs for a lighter and crispier texture.
Dipping Sauce:
- Classic options: Serve the nuggets with your favourite dipping sauces like ketchup, ranch dressing, or marinara sauce.
- Spicy mayo: Combine mayonnaise with sriracha or chipotle sauce for a creamy and spicy dip.
- Guacamole: A cool and fresh accompaniment to the spicy nuggets.
- Blue cheese dressing: For a tangy and creamy dip, serve the nuggets with blue cheese dressing.
Additions:
- Crispy Bacon bits: Adding chopped cooked bacon to the cheese mixture before rolling it up adds a salty and smoky flavour.
- Fresh herbs: Chopped fresh cilantro, parsley or chives can be mixed into the cheese mixture for an extra pop of flavour.
Step-By-Step Guide – How To Make Chilli Cheese Nuggets
Frequently Asked Question
Yes you can, however I always recommend to grate your own cheese for this recipe. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect melting consistency. Freshly shredded cheese will provide a better texture and melty qualities in this recipe.
The heat might be too high. Use medium heat to ensure the nuggets cook through evenly without burning the outside. Additionally, make sure your oil is hot enough before adding the nuggets.
The golden brown colour of the breadcrumb coating is a good indicator. You can also carefully peek inside one nugget using a toothpick. If the cheese is melted and gooey, they’re done!
Yes you can, however the end result might vary from this recipe a little. To oven bake chilli cheese nuggets. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and bake the nuggets on a greased baking sheet for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Flip them halfway through baking for even browning.
Mastering This Recipe – Expert Tips
- Chill Time is Crucial: Ensure your cheese mixture chills for a full 30 minutes. This firms it up for easier shaping and helps it stay together when frying.
- Use The Right Heat Level: Use medium heat for frying. This ensures even cooking without burning the outside while allowing the cheese to melt through.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Fry the nuggets in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. This ensures even browning and prevents them from sticking together.
- Golden Colour: The golden brown colour of the breadcrumbs is your cue that the chilli cheese nuggets are ready. Don’t overcook, or the cheese might leak out. Peek inside one nugget with a toothpick to check for melty cheese if unsure.
Storage
Storage:
- Leftover cooked chilli cheese nuggets can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, the crispy texture of the breadcrumb coating might soften slightly.
Reheating:
- Reheat leftover nuggets gently in a pan over medium heat or in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) until warmed through. Be aware that reheating can further soften the crispness of the breading.
Freezing & Defrosting:
- You can freeze uncooked chilli cheese nuggets, spread them out on a large baking tray lined with baking paper and freeze completely before storing in a freezer-safe airtight container. You can keep frozen chilli cheese nuggets for 3 months.
- When you want to cook frozen chili cheese nuggets, it’s best to fry them straight from frozen over a lower heat for slightly longer.
- I wouldn’t recommend freezing pre-cooked chilli cheese nuggets. The cheese filling can become rubbery and separate from the breading during the freezing and thawing process. Additionally, the breadcrumb coating might become soggy upon reheating.
Crispy Chilli Cheese Nuggets Recipe With Jalapenos
Ingredients
- 10 American Cheese Slices
- 130 g Cheddar Cheese
- 200 g Mozzarella
- 30 g Jalapenos
- 60 g Plain Flour
- 2 Large Eggs
- 200 g Breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp Chilli Powder
- 1 tbsp Sweet Smoked Paprika
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Pepper
- Oil, for frying.
Instructions
- Place all the American cheese slices, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella into a blender and mix until the cheese is well combined.
- Finely chop the jalapenos and mix them through the cheese mixture.
- Spread the cheese mixture onto a large sheet of cling film. Fold over the sides and start rolling the cheese into a log shape. Close the cling film tightly, twisting each end, and place the mixture into the freezer to chill for 30 minutes.
- Create a breading station with 3 shallow bowls. Place plain flour into the first bowl, eggs into the second bowl (beaten), and breadcrumbs with chilli powder, sweet smoked paprika, salt, and pepper into the third bowl. Mix the spices thoroughly into the breadcrumbs.
- Once chilled, remove the cheese log from the fridge and unwrap it. Place it on a chopping board and slice it using a sharp knife into rounds that are about 2-3cm thick (approximately 1 inch).
- Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with baking paper.
- Dip each cheese slice first into the flour, then into the beaten egg, allowing the excess egg to drip back into the bowl. Next, coat the slice evenly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs stick.
- Place the breaded cheese back into the egg, coating it completely and then into the breadcrumbs again to give each nugget a double coat.
- Transfer each coated cheese slice onto the prepared baking sheet and return them to the freezer to chill for another 30 minutes.
- Once ready, heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Remove the chilled chilli cheese nuggets from the freezer and place them into the hot frying pan.
- Fry the nuggets for a few minutes, turning them over once to ensure even cooking, until they are golden brown. Avoid overcrowding the pan and cook in batches if necessary.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried nuggets from the oil and place them onto a wire rack with paper kitchen towels underneath to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve the chilli cheese nuggets immediately while they are warm and melty.
Recipe Notes
- Chill Time is Crucial: Chill cheese mixture for 30 mins for easier shaping and better cohesion when frying.
- Use The Right Heat Level: Fry on medium heat for even cooking without burning, allowing cheese to melt through.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Fry in batches to ensure even browning and prevent sticking.
- Golden Colour: Look for golden breadcrumbs for perfectly cooked nuggets. Avoid overcooking to prevent cheese leakage; use a toothpick to check for melty cheese inside if unsure.
