We all know that Ramadan is around the corner. Today, I am sharing a crispy and easy to make Iftar snack and that is crispy cheese balls recipe. This recipe is made with simple pantry ingredients like potatoes, cheese, chicken and some spices. These crispy cheese balls are a quick and satisfying choice for cheese snacks for iftar.
Looking for more snack ideas? Explore our snacks recipes page.
A Short Story About Fried Cheese Balls
These cheese balls are family favorite for Iftar. I make these Mozzarella cheese balls when I want something quick yet special. The first time I made these it disappeared within minutes. Everyone loved the crunchy outer layer and cheesy center.
Jump to:
- A Short Story About Fried Cheese Balls
- Ingredients For Cheese Snacks For Iftar
- Instructions For Crispy Cheese Balls
- Why This Recipe Works?
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Serving Suggestions
- Nutrition (Per Serving – Estimated values)
- Storage
- Top tip
- Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Products Used in the Recipe
- FAQs
- Related
- Pairing
Ingredients For Cheese Snacks For Iftar
- Potatoes (Boiled &mashed) – 5 medium
- Salt - 1 tsp
- Black pepper- 1 tsp
- Paprika - 1 tsp
- Parsely - 1 tbsp
- Oil - 2 tbsp
- Onion chopped - 1 medium
- Chicken(boiled&shredded) - 1 cup
- Chilli flakes - 1 tsp
- Garlic powder - 1 tsp
- Paprika -½ tsp
- Black pepper - ½ tsp
- Salt - 1 tsp
- Cheese (mozzarella or cheddar, cubes ) – as needed
- Egg – 2
- Bread crumbs – 1 cup
- Oil – for deep frying
Cheese balls make a great snack or appetizer learn the difference between snacks and starters in Appetizers vs Starters vs Snacks.
Instructions For Crispy Cheese Balls
In a bowl add mashed potatoes. Add salt, black pepper, paprika, and parsely. Mix well until everything is properly combined.
In a pan, heat oil, add chopped onion and saute it. Now add boiled and shredded chicken . Add red chilli flakes, garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper.
Mix chicken mixture into potato mixture and combine it well.
Add cheese filling. Take a medium portion of the mixture, flatten it in your palm. Place a small cubes of cheese in the center.
Close the mixture around the cheese and roll into smooth balls.
Dip each ball in beaten egg, then coat well with bread crumbs. Can freeze them at this point for 1 month.
Heat oil on medium flame. Fry the balls until golden brown and crispy from all sides.
Serve hot with ketchup or mayo dip.
Why This Recipe Works?
- Balanced flavor brings out the best flavor of the potatoes without overpowering the cheese
- Potatoes coating doesn't let the melted cheese leak through the balls
- Tested frying temperature makes sure the Cheese balls are fried perfectly
Want another cheesy appetizer idea? Try our pumpkin shaped cheeseball recipe.
Substitutions
- Chicken- If you want to make vegetarian version skip chicken and add grated carrots, broccoli or capsicum.
- Mozzarella- Use cheddar cheese if mozzarella is unavailable
- Bread crumbs- Use Crushed cornflakes or panko for extra crispiness
Variations
- Spicy - Add green chilies or crushed red chilies for extra spicy version
- Extra cheesy version - Use cheddar and mozzarella for extra cheese
- Healthy option - Instead of frying cheese balls you can Air fry at 180 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these crispy cheese balls hot with ketchup or garlic mayo
- Perfect for cheese ball recipe for iftar snacks or Ramadan parties. Even these are a good option for tea parties
- Pair these mozzarella cheese balls with tea, fresh juice or chutney platter
Nutrition (Per Serving – Estimated values)
- Calories: ~220 kcal
- Protein: ~9g
- Carbohydrates: ~20g
- Fat: ~12g
Estimated values.
Storage
- The leftover cheese balls can be stored in the fridge for upto 3 days
- The uncooked cheese balls can be stored for up to 1 month in the freezer
Top tip
Before frying the cheese balls chill them in the fridge for at least 20 minutes. This step prevents the cheese from leaking
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- If the oil is too hot it will burn the outer layer and the inside will remain cold
- Not sealing properly will cause the cheese leakage
- Overcrowding the pan will lower the temperature of the oil and the cheese balls will not become crispy
Discover more delicious recipes in our full recipe index.
Products Used in the Recipe
Organic Valley Low Moisture Part Skim Organic Mozzarella Cheese Block
Enjoy melt-in-your-mouth, organic mozzarella perfect for pizzas, salads, and cooking delicious meals.
Aleia's Breadcrumb Gluten Free Italian, 13 oz
Aleia's Breadcrumbs add crispy, gluten-free crunch to your Italian dishes easily.
Amazon Grocery, Paprika, 2.75 Oz
Add smoky flavor and vibrant color to your meals with Amazon Grocery Paprika, 2.75 Oz.
FAQs
Use mozzarella cubes as filling, seal tightly with potato mixture, coat with egg and bread crumbs, then fry until golden.
They burst due to high oil temperature, poor sealing, or moisture in the mixture. Chilling before frying helps prevent this.
Mozzarella is best because it melts smoothly and gives a stretchy center. Cheddar can also be used for stronger flavor.
Cheese balls become crispy and golden when they are coated evenly in breadcrumbs and fried at the right oil temperature (medium-high heat). Proper coating and consistent frying ensure a crunchy exterior.
Cheese balls burst when the filling expands quickly due to uneven sealing or very high oil heat. To prevent this, seal the mixture tightly, refrigerate before frying and fry at a consistent medium heat.
Mozzarella cheese is commonly used because it melts well and creates a gooey center. Other good options include cheddar, processed cheese or a mix of cheeses for flavor.
Absolutely. Cheese balls are a popular snack for iftar because they’re warm, filling, kid-friendly and pair well with dips like ketchup or mayo after breaking your fast.
Yes, baking is a healthier alternative. Brush the coated cheese balls with a bit of oil and bake at 200 °C (390 °F) for 15–20 minutes or until golden, flipping halfway.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Maham says
I have tried many snack recipes but this one is now a permanent favorite. Easy to make and perfect with ketchup and mayo! Made it with my kids so much fun and delicious too 🍽️.