Fried Pimiento Cheese Balls With Ranch Dipping Sauce Food

PIMENTO CHEESE POPPERS

Steps:

• Note: I highly suggest making my pimento cheese recipe for these. There are so many store-bought brands of pimento cheese out there, and I can't guarantee how well they will fry (without falling apart). If you can find a version that seems "sturdy" and not as mayo-based and runny, it will probably work best, but I can't say for sure!
• Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet.
• Scoop out 2 tablespoons of pimento cheese and roll it into a ball. It helps to roll the ball if the pimento cheese is cold from the fridge. Place the ball on the parchment paper. Repeat with remaining pimento cheese. These can truly be any size you want them to be! I just suggest that they are all uniform in size.
• Once all the pimento balls are on the parchment paper, place the sheet in the freezer for 30 to 60 minutes.
• At this time, I suggest making the jalapeño ranch! You can also make it a day or so ahead of time and store it in the fridge.
• When ready to fry, heat a few inches (about 2 to 3) of oil in a saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. You want the oil to be about 325 degrees F.
• Place three bowls or plates in an assembly line. Fill the first with the flour, the second with the eggs and the third with the breadcrumbs. Line another plate with a paper towel.
• Once the oil is hot, remove the pimento cheese balls from the freezer. Immediately dip a ball in the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs. You can fry 2 to 3 balls at a time without the oil temp dropping too much, but I wouldn't do more than 3.
• Add the pimento balls to the oil and fry for about 2 minutes - watch them the entire time and use a slotted spoon to flip them and move them around so the entire round crisps up. Remove them with the slotted spoon and place them on the paper towel lined plate. Repeat with the remaining pimento balls!
• Serve immediately with the jalapeño ranch. I have found that any leftovers of these reheat well in a low temp over for 10 minutes.
• I have not tried these in the air fryer, but if your pimento balls are still frozen and once dipped in the flour, egg and breadcrumbs, I think they would probably work. I would most likely start at 375 or 400 degrees F, spray the balls with olive oil spray and air fry for 8 to 10 minutes.

FRIED PIMIENTO CHEESE BALLS WITH RANCH DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• To make dressing, whisk together ranch mix, buttermilk, and mayonnaise in a bowl and refrigerate.
• In a medium bowl, combine all 3 cheeses, mayonnaise, pimientos, onion, cayenne pepper, and bacon. Mix well and refrigerate 2-3 hours or overnight.
• Form cheese mixture into 1 and 1/2 inch balls. Place milk, flour, and panko crumbs in 3 different bowls. Season flour and panko crumbs lightly with salt. Dip balls in flour, then in milk, and finally, coat with panko crumbs. Place on a tray and freeze for 1 hour.
• Pour 2 inches of oil into a Dutch oven and heat oil to 350 degrees. Fry balls 4-6 at a time for about 2 minutes, then flip and cook another 2 minutes or until lightly browned and warm and gooey in the center. If needed, keep cooked balls warm in a 200 degree oven.

CHEESE BALL SPREAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in cheddar cheese, onions, pimientos, butter and Worcestershire sauce. Press into a small bowl; smooth top. Cover and refrigerate. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before unmolding. Serve with crackers.