Sweet & Chewy Chestnut Cheese Balls
Sweet & Chewy Chestnut Cheese Balls
Make Crispy and Chewy Chestnut Cheese Balls!
Made a delicious and nutritious snack with fluffy chestnuts! Try making these delicious chestnut cheese balls with their wonderful chewy mozzarella cheese. Enjoy making them!
Ingredients- 25 Chestnuts
- 1 cup Potato starch
- 1 bag Mozzarella cheese
- 2/3 Tbsp Sugar
- Pinch of Salt
- 4 Eggs
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup Milk
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First step to making delicious chestnut cheese balls! Wash the chestnuts thoroughly under running water. Then, fill a bowl with plenty of cold water and soak the chestnuts for about 1 hour. This will soften the shells, making them easier to peel. Score the pointed ends of the soaked chestnuts with a cross (+) shape about 1cm deep. Place the scored chestnuts in a pot, cover with water, and boil for about 30 minutes. Once boiled, immediately submerge them in cold water to cool. Then, peel off the skin along the score lines; the chestnut flesh should come off easily.
Step 2
The boiled and soaked chestnuts have softened skins that can be easily peeled off by hand. Thanks to the scoring and boiling process, the chestnut flesh will separate smoothly from the shell.
Step 3
Place the peeled chestnuts in a bowl and mash them finely using the back of a fork or spoon. Mashing them until they are fluffy and lump-free is key for the dough to bind well and achieve a smooth texture. If you don’t have chestnuts or want to use an alternative, mashed sweet potato works wonderfully too!
Step 4
Now, let’s make the chestnut cheese ball dough. In the bowl with the mashed chestnuts, add the potato starch, sugar, and salt, and mix the dry ingredients first. Next, gradually add the milk while stirring to adjust the dough’s consistency. Don’t pour all the milk at once; add it bit by bit, checking the dough’s thickness. Aim for a soft dough that isn’t too sticky and can hold its shape when formed. (Tip: Using glutinous rice flour instead of potato starch will give you a chewier texture!)
Step 5
Crack 4 eggs into a separate bowl and whisk them well to create an egg wash. This will be used for coating the cheese balls before frying.
Step 6
Take about a tablespoon of the chestnut dough and flatten it into a round, disc shape in your palm. Press the center slightly to create a hollow, and then place a desired amount of mozzarella cheese inside. Be careful not to overfill with cheese, as it might leak out during frying.
Step 7
Carefully gather the edges of the dough to enclose the cheese completely, sealing it well. Then, roll it between your hands to form a nice round ball. Ensure the seams are sealed tightly to prevent the cheese from escaping while frying.
Step 8
Evenly coat the shaped chestnut cheese balls with all-purpose flour. Make sure the entire surface is covered with a thin layer of flour. This step helps the subsequent coatings adhere better.
Step 9
Dip the flour-coated chestnut cheese balls into the prepared egg wash, ensuring they are fully submerged. Gently shake off any excess egg wash.
Step 10
Finally, place a generous amount of breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Roll the egg-washed cheese balls in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure they are completely coated. The breadcrumbs create air pockets, which contribute to a crispier texture when fried.
Step 11
Heat cooking oil in a deep pan over medium-low heat. Be cautious as oil that is too hot can burn the outside while leaving the inside undercooked. Carefully place the breadcrumb-coated chestnut cheese balls into the oil. Roll them gently to ensure all sides are fried to a golden brown. Frying over medium-low heat allows the inside to cook through and the cheese to melt perfectly.
Step 12
Once the cheese balls turn a delicious golden brown and are nicely fried, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve immediately while warm for a crispy exterior and a delightfully chewy, gooey interior! For an extra touch, you can serve them with ketchup or a sweet dipping sauce according to your preference.
