Rattlesnake Bites (Texas Roadhouse Copycat)
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My Rattlesnake Bites Texas Roadhouse copycat recipe is made with creamy Pepper Jack cheese, spicy jalapenos, and an easy-to-make breading. Fried to crispy perfection, they’re addictive in the best way ever!! Make my version of Texas Roadhouse rattlesnake bites from the comfort of your own home and you’ll never have to order out again!
Rattlesnake Bites Texas Roadhouse
This magical dish is like if two of my favorite fried appetizers got together and had a baby — they taste like a combination of spicy jalapeno poppers and cheesy mozzarella sticks!
You guys know I love anything jalapeno popper — I’ve used the same flavors in taquitos, stuffed them into pork tenderloin, turned them into a dip, and even added them to beer bread. So it should come as no surprise how much I love these bites!
The first time I tried Rattlesnake bites from Texas Roadhouse, I was blown away by the flavors and textures.
I couldn’t help but kick myself for not coming up with it myself! So, I did the next best thing… I started experimenting in my kitchen the very next day!
The results came out perfectly crispy, cheesy, and spicy all at the same time.
It’s incredibly easy to make Texas Roadhouse rattlesnake bites yourself… so save this recipe for the next time a craving hits!!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Pepper Jack Cheese – These jalapeno cheese ball bites are all about the heat, which is why I’m using spicy Pepper Jack cheese!
Monterey Jack is a good alternative — it has the same creamy texture — but keep in mind that it’s not spicy.
No matter what cheese you use, shred it yourself! The pre-shredded stuff just doesn’t melt as well or taste as good.
- Jalapenos – Remember that most of the heat comes from the seeds and membranes, so you’ll want to leave some in.
For a milder flavor, don’t hesitate to remove them!
As a note, make sure to wear gloves when handling these hot peppers as the oils could irritate your skin.
- Milk – I like whole milk for its higher fat content — it helps the breading stick and creates a thicker and crispier result.
- Breadcrumbs – I like fine breadcrumbs for this jalapeno cheese ball recipe.
- Vegetable Oil – For frying. Choose one with a high smoke point and neutral flavor, like canola or peanut oil.
- Seasonings – I’m using my favorites in the breading: cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites
- Make sure to freeze the cheese balls.
After you form your jalapeno cheese ball mixture into small balls, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and flash-freeze them for at least 30 minutes.
This helps them keep their shape and prevents the cheese from leaking out into the hot oil.
Freezing won’t affect the flavor or texture, and ensures you don’t make a complete mess when frying. Don’t skip it!
- Consider double breading for extra crispy results.
Rattlesnake bites from Texas Roadhouse are so crispy, that I have a sneaking suspicion that they bread them twice before frying.
If you’re looking for the same texture and crunch, do the same!
Simply dunk each jalapeno popper cheese ball in the flour, then the milk and egg, and finally the breadcrumb mixture twice.
- Fry in batches.
You may be tempted to place all of the cheese balls into the hot oil at the same time — but trust me, it’s not a good idea!
It’s a much better idea to fry in batches. You don’t want to overcrowd the pot, as this can lower the oil temperature and result in bites that aren’t as crispy as you like them.
Slow and steady wins the race for this recipe!
- Monitor that oil temperature.
Keep a candy thermometer handy to keep a close eye on the oil temp as you go. It needs to be 375°F.
If it’s too hot, the bites will burn on the outside before the inside has a chance to fully heat. If it’s not hot enough, they’ll absorb the oil and go soggy.
Prep Ahead
- Shred the cheese
- Form the balls and flash freeze
- Prepare the breading stations
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Baking Sheets lined with Parchment Paper – Used for anything from cookies to roasting to flash freezing, a good baking pan will last for years.
- Shallow Bowls for dredging.
- If you don’t have a Deep Fryer, you can use a Large Heavy Bottomed Pot instead!
- Slotted Spoon to remove the bites from the hot oil.
Serving Suggestions
I serve my rattlesnake bites like Texas Roadhouse does: hot from the deep fryer! The texture and flavor are best when served fresh.
Pair them with your favorite dipping sauces — the restaurant typically serves their jalapeno popper cheese ball platter with their signature Cactus Blossom Sauce.
Try it with this zesty sauce. It’s an Outback copycat, but I think it goes so well with this Texas Roadhouse recipe too!
Big Mac sauce is another option, or check out this list of my favorite dipping sauces for fried food for even more inspiration!
Storage and Reheating
Again, Texas Roadhouse rattlesnake bites are best served fresh! But if you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Pop them in the oven at 350°F for around 8-10 minutes to reheat. Or, use your air fryer for maximum crispiness! 5-6 minutes at 350°F should do the trick.
Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball FAQ
Rattlesnake bites are essentially like jalapeno poppers and mozzarella sticks combined into one, delicious deep-fried dish! I like to refer to them as a fried jalapeno popper cheese ball — it really says it all.
Crispy on the outside and creamy and spicy on the inside, not to worry… they don’t actually contain rattlesnakes!
Sure! It’s a great way to get ahead if you want to make a large batch for an upcoming party. After you’ve flash-freezed them, add the breading as instructed on the recipe card. Then, flash freeze them for a second time.
When they’re frozen solid, transfer to a Ziploc bag. When you’re ready to use, you can fry directly from frozen!
Absolutely. Simply prepare the bites as directed, but preheat your oven to 375°F instead of breaking out your deep fryer. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden.
They may not come out as crispy, but baking is definitely the healthier choice.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Rattlesnake Bites (Texas Roadhouse Copycat)
Ingredients
- 2 cups pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 3 jalapenos, seeds removed and finely diced
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups fine breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the shredded pepper jack cheese and diced jalapenos. Mix well.
- Shape the cheese mixture into small balls, about an inch in diameter. Place on a tray lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 30 minutes to firm up.
- While the cheese balls are freezing, prepare three separate bowls for the breading process. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and garlic powder.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 375°F (190°C).
- Remove the cheese balls from the freezer. Roll each ball in the flour, then dip in the egg mixture, and finally roll in the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
- Fry the cheese balls in the hot oil until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Do not overcrowd the fryer – work in batches if necessary.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the bites from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch or blue cheese dressing. Enjoy!
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published April 2024
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I was wondering can you add shredded potatoes to this to making it like a stuffed Mexican fry like taco time has ? If so what other ingredients would be needed and how much ?
Hi Rose!
We’re so glad that you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn