Description
Cream cheese avocado bacon bites deliver a perfect party appetizer with rich, creamy textures and smoky flavors. Guests will savor these elegant morsels that blend classic ingredients into one irresistible bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 (8 ounces / 226 grams) packages cream cheese, softened
- 3 large avocados, diced small
- 1 pound (454 grams) bacon, crisp and crumbled
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup diced jalapenos (pickled or fresh)
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onions, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Binding and Coating Ingredients:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1 cup flour
- 1–2 cups Panko bread crumbs
- 2+ cups vegetable oil
Instructions
- Render bacon strips in a skillet until deeply crisp and golden, transferring to paper towels to absorb excess grease. Crumble into fine fragments once cooled.
- Whip cream cheese in a spacious mixing vessel using an electric mixer at medium velocity for 2-3 minutes until silky and smooth.
- Incorporate remaining ingredients, excluding avocados, blending thoroughly with a spatula until uniformly mixed.
- Delicately integrate diced avocado into the mixture, ensuring minimal crushing. Encase with plastic membrane and refrigerate for 60 minutes to firm consistency.
- Arrange three distinct preparation stations: one with flour, another with whisked buttermilk and egg, and the third containing panko crumbs.
- Extract chilled mixture and construct compact, tablespoon-sized spheres using gentle rolling motions.
- Meticulously coat each sphere: first dredge in flour, subsequently immerse in buttermilk mixture, then thoroughly roll in panko breadcrumbs.
- Arrange breaded orbs on a freezer-compatible tray, quick-freeze for approximately 60 minutes to stabilize structure.
- Heat vegetable oil in a robust skillet to 350°F, maintaining consistent temperature.
- Carefully introduce 6-8 spheres into hot oil, rotating periodically to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior, approximately 2 minutes per batch.
- Transfer fried bites onto paper towel-lined surface to eliminate surplus oil, allowing brief drainage.
- Present immediately alongside preferred dipping condiment while maintaining optimal temperature and crispness.
Notes
- Crumble bacon uniformly to ensure even distribution of flavor throughout the bites.
- Chill mixture thoroughly to help balls maintain shape during coating and frying process.
- Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother, easier mixing without lumps.
- Gently fold avocados to prevent mashing and maintain texture in the final bite.
- Pat avocados dry before dicing to prevent excess moisture that could make balls soggy.
- Maintain consistent oil temperature for even golden-brown exterior and fully cooked interior.
- Experiment with different herbs or spices in the cream cheese mixture for unique flavor variations.
- Substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour for a celiac-friendly version of the recipe.
- Make ahead and freeze uncooked balls for convenient party appetizers or quick snacks.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg