Low Fat Crispy Mac and Cheese Balls
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food makeover with these Low Fat Crispy Mac and Cheese Balls! This guilt-free snack combines creamy, cheesy goodness with a satisfying crunch, all while being light on calories thanks to clever ingredient swaps like whole wheat macaroni, reduced-fat cheddar, and unsweetened almond milk. Baked to golden perfection instead of fried, these bite-sized treats feature a velvety, tangy cheese sauce enhanced with parmesan, dijon mustard, and a hint of cream cheese. Rolled in crunchy breadcrumbs and spritzed with olive oil cooking spray, they deliver all the crispy satisfaction you crave. Perfect for parties, game days, or as an indulgent appetizer, these healthy mac and cheese bites are an irresistible crowd-pleaser that you’ll want to make again and again!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams whole wheat elbow macaroni
- 240 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 100 grams sharp cheddar cheese, reduced-fat
- 30 grams parmesan cheese, grated
- 30 grams all-purpose flour
- 50 grams light cream cheese
- 15 grams dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 150 grams breadcrumbs
- olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
Cook the whole wheat elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a saucepan over medium heat, add the unsweetened almond milk and bring to a simmer.
Slowly whisk in the all-purpose flour, ensuring there are no lumps, and continue to cook until the sauce begins to thicken, about 2-3 minutes.
Stir in the reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, grated parmesan cheese, light cream cheese, and dijon mustard, continuing to stir until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and black pepper.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir well to combine. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Once the mac and cheese mixture is firm, take tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls.
Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Roll each ball in the breadcrumbs until fully coated.
Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet and lightly spritz with olive oil cooking spray.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the mac and cheese balls are golden brown and crispy.
Allow cooling slightly before serving. Enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2152 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 57.6 g | 74% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.6 g | 138% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 111 mg | 37% | |
| Sodium | 6610 mg | 287% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 335.4 g | 122% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.7 g | 78% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.7 g | ||
| Protein | 102.1 g | 204% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.9 mcg | 15% | |
| Calcium | 1681 mg | 129% | |
| Iron | 18.9 mg | 105% | |
| Potassium | 953 mg | 20% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
