Description
Spicy jalapeño cheddar bites deliver a tantalizing punch of flavor that dances between heat and cheesy comfort. Crispy exteriors give way to molten centers, promising a delightful snack you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 large fresh jalapeño pepper
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Dry Ingredients:
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Binding Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) milk
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a precise temperature of 350°F, creating an ideal environment for transforming cheese into crispy, delectable morsels.
- Cover a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a non-stick surface that will prevent unwanted cheese residue.
- Carefully slice the jalapeño, meticulously removing all internal seeds to control the heat level while maintaining the pepper’s vibrant flavor profile.
- Distribute small, uniform mounds of shredded cheddar across the prepared baking surface, leaving adequate space between each portion to allow for proper melting and crisping.
- Gently press each cheese cluster to create a slightly flattened base, then delicately position a jalapeño slice at the center of each cheese pile.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, allowing the cheese to transform into golden, lacy crisps with bubbling edges and a rich, caramelized appearance.
- After removing from the oven, let the cheese crisps rest and stabilize for several minutes, enabling them to develop a perfect crispy texture.
- Using a thin, flexible spatula, carefully transfer the jalapeño cheddar bites to a serving platter, ensuring each delicate crisp remains intact and ready to be savored.
Notes
- Spice Management: Remove jalapeño seeds to control heat level, making these bites enjoyable for various spice tolerances.
- Cheese Selection: Use freshly shredded cheddar for optimal melting and flavor, avoiding pre-packaged shredded cheese which contains anti-caking agents.
- Spacing Technique: Maintain 1-inch distance between cheese piles to prevent spreading and ensure crispy, uniform edges.
- Baking Precision: Watch closely during the last few minutes of baking to achieve golden-brown color without burning.
- Cooling Strategy: Let bites rest on the baking sheet to set and become crisp, preventing them from breaking when transferred.
- Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed immediately while warm and crispy, perfect as an appetizer or snack for gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg