3-Ingredient Cheese Balls
3-Ingredient Fried Cheese Balls
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These cheese balls were absolutely delicious — we couldn't stop eating them. The outer layer was seasoned perfectly and had a great crunch. The inside was full of creamy, rich mozzarella, and dipping them into warm Marinara took things completely over the top. Give this recipe a try — it would be a perfect appetizer for your next gathering and you only need 3 ingredients to make them!
🧀 What You'll Need
- 250g mozzarella cheese
- 3 tbsp corn starch
- 1 large egg
- Heath Riles Garlic Parmesan Rub (for seasoning)
- Malcom's Italian Stallion (for seasoning)
- 1 cup marinara sauce (for dipping)
How to Make It
- Heat your deep fryer to 375°F.
- In a bowl, combine the mozzarella, corn starch, and egg. Mix until well combined — once fully mixed the mixture will have the consistency of dough.
- Form the mixture into golf ball-sized balls. You should get 7–9 balls depending on size.
- Carefully lower the cheese balls into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown — approximately 2–3 minutes. Keep an eye on them, they go fast!
- Remove from the fryer and let any excess grease drain off on a paper towel-lined plate.
- While still hot, place in a bowl and season immediately with the Garlic Parmesan Rub and Italian Stallion. Seasoning hot means it sticks and soaks right in.
- Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
- Season them the second they come out of the fryer — the heat helps the seasoning stick and bloom. Don't wait.
- Don't overcrowd the fryer — work in batches of 3–4 at a time so the oil stays hot and the balls fry evenly.
- The mixture should feel like soft dough when properly combined. If it's too sticky, add a pinch more corn starch.
- Warm your marinara before serving — a cold dipping sauce next to a hot cheese ball is a missed opportunity.
- These are best eaten immediately — fresh out of the fryer is when the crunch and the gooey center are at their best.
- Want to kick them up? Add a pinch of red pepper flake to the seasoning for a little heat.
Make It Your Own
The base recipe is incredibly versatile. Try mixing in a little cream cheese with the mozzarella for an even richer center. Swap the marinara for ranch, honey mustard, or a spicy arrabbiata for a different vibe. You can also roll the balls in Panko breadcrumbs before frying for extra crunch. However you serve them, they'll be gone in minutes.
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