Pepper Jack Bites

I usually make these with sharp cheddar cheese. But I felt like spicing it up a little. Let’s make pepper jack bites! These are very much like the appetizer version of pizza. And I’m going to give you two options: you can bake or fry. It’s up to you. 

Pepper Jack Bites

1 (or 2) large block(s) of pepper jack cheese
1/4 cup to 1/3 cup flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup to 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano flakes
marinara sauce for serving

First, cut up the pepper jack cheese into bite-sized cubes.

Fill two shallow bowls, one with the flour and one with the panko + oregano. Fill a small bowl with the eggs, and whisk to combine.

Dip each cube of cheese in the flour, then the egg, and then the bread crumbs. Try to fully coat each cube as you work. Place the finished cubes on a baking sheet or clean plate.

Once you have coated all the cubes, pop them in the freezer for 5-8 minutes.

These are the fried version. Fill a heavy-duty pot with 2-3 inches of oil (canola or vegetable works well). Heat to around 350°F. Fry each cube for about 20-30 seconds, just until golden brown and crispy- looking.

Then, remove to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess oil. I like to work with metal tongs when frying, as they make it easier to move food but keep my arms away from the hot oil.

Here you can see the baked version. These may not be quite as cosmetically beautiful, but they are still very crispy and tasty. Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Pop these in the oven (be sure your baking sheet is lined with parchment paper or a Silpat mat) for 8-10 minutes, just until they begin to melt.

Serve with warm marinara sauce and watch these disappear at your next get-together. 🙂 Enjoy! xo. Emma

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Ingredients

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 or 2 large blocks of pepper jack cheese
• ▢ ¼-⅓ cup flour
• ▢ 2 eggs
• ▢ ½-¾ cup panko bread crumbs
• ▢ ½ teaspoon oregano flakes (dried)
• ▢ marinara sauce (for serving)

Instructions

• First, cut up the pepper jack cheese into bite-sized cubes.
• Fill two shallow bowls, one with the flour and one with the panko + oregano. Fill a small bowl with the eggs, and whisk to combine.

  Dip each cube of cheese in the flour, then the egg, and then the bread crumbs. Try to fully coat each cube as you work. Place the finished cubes on a baking sheet or clean plate.
• Once you have coated all the cubes, pop them in the freezer for 5-8 minutes.
• These are the fried version. Fill a heavy-duty pot with 2-3 inches of oil (canola or vegetable works well). Heat to around 350°F. Fry each cube for about 20-30 seconds, just until golden brown and crispy-looking.
• Then, remove to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess oil. I like to work with metal tongs when frying, as they make it easier to move food but keep my arms away from the hot oil.

Notes

If you want a baked version instead-Preheat your oven to 350°F. Pop these in the oven (be sure your baking sheet is lined with parchment paper or a Silpat mat) for 8-10 minutes, just until they begin to melt.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Pepper Jack Bites

Amount per Serving

Calories

372

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

11

g

17

%

Saturated Fat

 

4

g

25

%

Trans Fat

 

0.03

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

2

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

4

g

Cholesterol

 

330

mg

110

%

Sodium

 

363

mg

16

%

Potassium

 

229

mg

7

%

Carbohydrates

 

47

g

16

%

Fiber

 

3

g

13

%

Sugar

 

2

g

2

%

Protein

 

19

g

38

%

Vitamin A

 

515

IU

10

%

Vitamin C

 

0.02

mg

0

%

Calcium

 

147

mg

15

%

Iron

 

5

mg

28

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

Credits // Author and Photography: Emma Chapman