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An angled head on image of small dishes containing popped cheese bits with fresh greens and a wooden board in the background with a block of cheese and a knife on it
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4.16 from 60 votes

Popped Cheese Bites

These cheesy bites are the perfect one ingredient, clean-eating, gluten-free and keto friendly snack that can be made right at home in your oven!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 114kcal
Author: Kitrusy

Ingredients

  • 4 oz cheese (block, not shredded. Use any hard or semi-hard cheese of your choosing. Cheddar is highly recommended)

Instructions

  • Cut the cheese into small cubes (approx. 1x1 cm or 0.5"x0.5") and set them onto a parchment-lined baking tray, being sure to leave space between each one so they don't melt into one mass.
  • Bake the cheese cubes for 65-75 minutes in an oven pre-heated to 175°F to draw as much of the moisture out of the cheese as possible.
  • After 65-75 minutes, raise the heat to 300°F for a few minutes until the cheese pieces "pop" and/or puff up. Do not leave and walk away from it at this point. When some of the cheese pieces starts to brown slightly and most have popped, remove the tray from oven and let cool completely.
  • Store in the fridge or at room temperature in airtight container or Ziploc bag.

Notes

  • Do not use shredded cheese or any soft or high moisture cheese such as fresh mozzarella as it will not dehydrate or pop right.
  • I've tested this recipe using various cheeses and I've noticed that block cheeses that crumble easily (such as the jalapeno cheddar) don't pop or puff up and remain flat and hard when cooled. For that flavor a pepper jack cheese is recommended but I used what I had on hand.
  • The time that they take to puff and pop will depend on the cheese you've used. Some (like the cheddar) jump pop and move while others like the smoked Gouda simple puff up with little to no popping.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 28mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 284IU | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 1mg