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Easy Crispy Football Cheese Bites: Perfect Game Day Snack

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These crispy baked football-shaped cheese bites are a tribute to a beloved sports bar snack. With a crunchy coating and melty cheese center, they’re perfect for game day gatherings and come together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) block mozzarella cheese, low-moisture
  • 8 ounces (225g) block cheddar cheese, sharp or medium
  • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) milk
  • 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup (50g) Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Cooking spray or olive oil, for spraying
  • Marinara sauce, for dipping (optional)
  • Ranch dressing, for dipping (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. Cut the cheese blocks into ½-inch (1.25cm) thick slices. Use a football-shaped cutter (about 2 inches long) to press out shapes. You should get about 20-24 footballs total. If the cheese sticks, dip the cutter in cold water between cuts.
  3. Set up your breading station: In the first shallow bowl, add the flour. In the second bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until combined and slightly frothy. In the third bowl, mix the panko, Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  4. Coat each cheese football: First roll in flour until completely coated, shaking off excess. Then dip into the egg wash, letting excess drip off. Finally, press into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring every surface is covered.
  5. Place the coated cheese bites on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch of space between each one.
  6. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray from about 6 inches away.
  7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, checking at the 6-minute mark. The bites should be golden brown and just starting to soften. The cheese should be warm and melty inside but not oozing out.
  8. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For best results, freeze the cut cheese shapes for 15 minutes before breading to prevent melting too fast. Use low-moisture mozzarella, not fresh. Do not use pre-shredded cheese as it contains anti-caking agents that affect melting. For leftovers, reheat in a 350°F oven for 3-4 minutes, not the microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheese bites, football shaped, game day snack, crispy, baked, mozzarella, cheddar, party appetizer

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/easy-crispy-football-cheese-bites-perfect-game-day-snack/