Cranberry Pecan Bites
These deep-fried cranberry pecan bites are loaded with fresh cranberries, chopped pecan, and a sweet cream cheese mixture, coated and fried to golden perfection and dusted with powdered sugar. The perfect holiday appetizer or dessert the whole family will enjoy.
Servings: 22 Cranberry Bites
Ingredients
- (2) 8 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ cups fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1½ cups crushed panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1-2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
- ¼ cup powdered sugar, if desired
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until it’s nice and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in cranberries and pecans. Mix until combined.
- Roll into bite-size balls. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place in the freezer and flash freeze for 30-40 minutes.
- In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium heat.
- In a shallow container, whisk together graham cracker crumbs and breadcrumbs.
- Using another shallow container, whisk the eggs and heavy cream together.
- Roll each bite into the egg mixture then into the graham cracker crumb mixture and make sure they are coated well.
- Add a few at a time into the hot oil and fry until golden on all sides.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place bites on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Optional: dust with powdered sugar or roll in powdered sugar before serving.
Video
Notes
- Be sure your cream cheese is fully softened to avoid little bits of raw cream cheese in your bites.
- It's important to chill the cream cheese balls until solid so they retain their shape while you fry them.
- Work in small batches to keep the oil nice and hot. You'll get a nice, crispy coating instead of a soggy one!