Crispy Pumpkin Cheese Balls
Crispy Pumpkin Cheese Balls are a delicious and creative way to enjoy pumpkin during the fall season. Combining sweet roasted pumpkin with gooey mozzarella and a crunchy breadcrumb coating, these bite-sized treats are perfect for any occasion. Follow these tips and tricks to ensure your pumpkin balls turn out perfectly every time!
Equipment
- Thermometer to check oil temperature
- Slotted spoon for frying
- Paper towels for draining excess oil
Ingredients
- 500 g Hokkaido pumpkin
- 100 g breadcrumbs for the mixture
- 50 g Parmesan cheese grated
- 100 g mozzarella cut into small cubes
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 100 g breadcrumbs for coating
- Oil for frying vegetable or sunflower oil recommended
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
- Cut the pumpkin into slices (you can remove the skin if it's too tough).
- Place the pumpkin slices on a baking tray, drizzle with a bit of oil, and season with a pinch of salt.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork.
- Once the pumpkin is soft and cooked, transfer the slices into a large bowl.
- Use a fork or potato masher to mash the pumpkin into a smooth consistency.
- Add breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper to the mashed pumpkin.
- Mix until all the ingredients are well combined into a uniform mixture.
- Using your hands, take approximately 40g of the pumpkin mixture and form it into a ball.
- Press a small cube of mozzarella into the center of each ball, ensuring it's well covered by the pumpkin mixture.
- Roll each ball in breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the pumpkin balls for a few minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides (about 3-4 minutes).
- Remove the fried balls from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
- Serve the crispy fried pumpkin balls hot, either as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.
Nutrition
Serving: 80gCalories: 171kcalCarbohydrates: 17.2gProtein: 7.1gFat: 8.9gSaturated Fat: 2.6gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 205mgPotassium: 189mgFiber: 1.7gSugar: 1.8gCalcium: 120mgIron: 1.3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!