Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites
Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites are a spicy, cheesy appetizer that’s sure to kickstart any meal. These bite-sized jalapeño cheese balls are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, perfect for serving with a side of ranch dressing.
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 measuring cups and spoons
- 1 food processor or knife
- 1 frying pan or deep fryer
- 1 cooking thermometer
- 1 paper towels
- 1 plate for serving
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup chopped jalapeños fresh or canned
- ¼ cup green onions chopped
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup buttermilk or regular milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups oil for frying
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, cream cheese, chopped jalapeños, and chopped green onions. Mix until well combined. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- In another bowl, mix the buttermilk and the egg until well incorporated.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. The batter should be thick.
- Add the cheese and jalapeño mixture to the batter and fold gently until evenly distributed.
- Heat oil in a frying pan or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop balls of the mixture into the hot oil. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Cook for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Use a thermometer to ensure the oil stays at the correct temperature.
- Once cooked, remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.
- Serve warm with ranch dressing on the side for dipping.
Notes
For extra spice, you can increase the amount of jalapeños or add some cayenne pepper to the batter.
These bites can be made in advance and frozen before frying. When ready to serve, just fry them straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the cooking time.
Pair with a cold drink for a great appetizer experience!