Baked Breaded Macaroni & Cheese Bites: Easy Recipe Using Leftovers (2024)

These baked breaded macaroni and cheese bites are the perfect way to enjoy any leftover macaroni and cheese. The macaroni is coated in a breadcrumb mixture before being baked in the oven until crisp on the outside. They are a bite-sized snack that both kids and adults will love.

If you're looking for more easy-to-make snacks, try my sausage cream cheese biscuit bites, Lil Smokies pigs in a blanket, and air fryer pickles.

Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that I know all about. I have many macaroni recipes, and these baked bites can be made using the leftovers.

Of course, you could make some fresh macaroni to turn it into these bites, too, but you'll need to give it enough time to cool first. Regardless of how you do it, everyone who tries them will love them!

🥘 Ingredients

• Macaroni & Cheese - Grab your favorite leftover macaroni and cheese. If you don't already have some, I recommend Paula Deen's macaroni and cheese, my Southern baked macaroni and cheese, or my sour cream mac and cheese.
• Flour - Flour will be a part of your dredging station for coating your mac balls.
• Croutons - Crush up some Italian-seasoned croutons for some added crunch.
• Panko - Italian-seasoned Panko breadcrumbs will be combined with crushed croutons for the exterior of your bites.
• Parmesan - You can never have enough cheese!
• Eggs - Eggs will be used to help bind everything together.
• Olive Oil - Adding a thin coating of olive oil will help ensure that your bites become perfectly crispy.

*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*

🔪 How To Make Baked Breaded Mac And Cheese Bites

Considering your macaroni is already prepared, transforming it into baked balls is incredibly simple. Before you begin, you'll need a baking sheet, some parchment paper, three bowls, and measuring utensils.

The number of balls you'll make will depend on how large you make them. However, this recipe will yield eight servings.

Make Your Macaroni and Cheese

Step 1: Grab your leftover macaroni. Ensure your 4 cups (800 grams) of homemade macaroni and cheese have plenty of time to chill in the fridge (at least 12 hours).

Get Your Dredging Station Ready

Step 2: Prepare. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C/Gas Mark 7) and line a baking sheet (or two) with parchment paper.

Step 3: Brush. Use 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a basting brush to coat the parchment paper-lined baking sheet(s).

Step 4: Prepare the bowls. In a small bowl, whisk 2 eggs until well combined. Use a second bowl for ¾ cup (90 grams) of all-purpose flour and then a third small bowl to mix the breading ingredients: ¾ cup (89 grams) of crushed Italian-seasoned croutons and Italian-seasoned Panko and ¼ cup (23 grams) of Parmesan cheese.

Portion & Coat

Step 5: Portion. Using a tablespoon, portion out large (approximately 1-1½ inch) chunks of the leftover macaroni and cheese.

Step 6: Roll and dip. Quickly roll in your palms to shape into a rough ball shape, then dip into the flour, egg, and breading mixture.

Step 7: Place. Coat each macaroni and cheese ball thoroughly, then place on your parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat until all of your macaroni and cheese has been breaded.

Bake & Serve

Step 8: Bake. Bake at 425°F (220°C/Gas Mark 7) for 10-12 minutes, then brush over the baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Roll the breaded macaroni and cheese balls to bake the opposite side for 8-10 minutes.

Step 9: Serve. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

💭 Tips & Notes

• Chill the macaroni. Before getting started, allow your macaroni plenty of time to chill in the fridge to firm up. Place it into the freezer before portioning it into bites if needed.
• Add some mix-ins. Upgrade your macaroni and cheese by adding delicious mix-ins like bacon or sausage.
• Use a dipping sauce. Pair your bites with your favorite dipping sauces. I recommend ranch, Cajun dipping sauce, or spicy ranchero sauce.
• Storage. These balls are best when freshly made. However, you could store them in the fridge and reheat them using an air fryer.

📖 Recipe Card