These chili balls are breaded in a panko and tortilla mix before being fried and finished off in the oven for a delicious little appetizer or party snack.
Directions for: Lava Pops
Ingredients
1 Tbsp oil
lb(s) ground beef
1 onion, diced
red pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, finely diced
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp paprika
2 Roma tomatoes, large dice
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cups water, as needed
1 cup kidney beans, drained and rinsed
cup black beans, drained and rinsed
Salt and pepper
2 Tbsp cornstarch
cup water
1 - 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup flour
tsp black pepper
tsp salt
4 eggs, whisked
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
5 cups cheese tortillas, crushed
Oil, for frying
Popsicle sticks
Directions
1. Heat a frying pan and a tablespoon of oil. Add ground beef and cook thoroughly. Once cooked, remove from pan, place into sieve, and drain off any excess oil. In a pan fry onions, peppers, and garlic, once cooked add the ground beef back in. Add chili powder, cayenne, paprika, tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Simmer and stir for 30 minutes. Add water and beans and season to taste.
2. Mix the cornstarch and cup water together and slowly add it to the chili. Keep stirring until the chili becomes thicker.
3. Remove from pot and spread the chili out onto a baking sheet. Place in the fridge for 1-2 hours. After the chili has cooled mix the chili with the cheddar cheese.
4. Using a teaspoon, portion out chili onto another baking sheet. Now roll each spoon full into a round shape using your hands. Once all of the chili has been molded place into the freezer overnight.
5. Set up breading station into three separate bowls. The first is the flour, pepper, and salt. The second is the whisked eggs. In the third bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs and crushed cheese tortillas.
6. Take one chili ball and cover in flour, tapping off any excess. Then submerge in the egg solution, and finally cover in the panko/tortilla mix. Repeat for all chili balls.
7. Preheat oven to 400F (200C).
8. Place three cups of oil in a frying pan and heat to 350F (175C). Fry several balls at a time into the hot oil and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from oil and repeat until all chili balls have been deep-fried. Place onto a baking sheet and place in oven for 7 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes and insert popsicle sticks. Serve warm with a hot sauce of your choice.
See more: Beans, Beef, Cheese, Comfort Food, Eggs/Dairy, Fry, Tomatoes, Bake, Appetizer, Snack