Vegan Crispy Mac and Cheese Balls

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food twist with these Vegan Crispy Mac and Cheese Balls—golden, crunchy bites filled with creamy, dairy-free mac and cheese perfection. This recipe transforms classic vegan mac and cheese into a snackable, party-perfect treat by blending elbow macaroni with a rich, cheesy sauce made from vegan cheddar, almond milk, and a flavorful mix of nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Chilled and shaped into bite-sized spheres, each ball is coated in a double layer of breadcrumbs for unbeatable crispiness, then fried until irresistibly golden. Perfect as an appetizer, game-day snack, or crowd-pleasing finger food, these vegan mac and cheese balls bring bold flavors and satisfying textures to every bite. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm for a guaranteed hit!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 200 grams Elbow macaroni
• 200 grams Vegan cheddar cheese
• 240 milliliters Unsweetened almond milk
• 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 50 grams All-purpose flour
• 60 milliliters Water
• 100 grams Breadcrumbs
• 100 grams Panko breadcrumbs
• 500 milliliters Vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon Chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente, drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the vegan cheddar cheese and almond milk, stirring frequently until the cheese is melted and a smooth sauce forms.

Step 3

Add nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the cheese sauce and mix until well combined.

Step 4

Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Pour the mac and cheese into a large bowl and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the mixture.

Step 5

In a small bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and water to create a batter.

Step 6

In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and panko crumbs.

Step 7

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the chilled mac and cheese mixture and form it into a ball. Dip it into the flour batter, ensuring it is completely coated, and then roll it in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat with the remaining mac and cheese.

Step 8

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to about 350°F (175°C).

Step 9

Fry the mac and cheese balls in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Step 10

Sprinkle the fried mac and cheese balls with chopped parsley before serving warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1467.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6241.1

Total Fat 501.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 89.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 284.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4928.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 412.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.9g	0%
Total Sugars 22.0g
Protein 74.2g	0%

Vitamin D 89.1IU	0%
Calcium 567.7mg	0%
Iron 21.8mg	0%
Potassium 777.2mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.9%

Protein: 4.6%

Carbs: 25.5%