Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites (Copycat) are addicting kicked up fried cheese balls with jalapenos. Cheesy crunchy appetizers that bring the heat!
These delicious Texas Roadhouse appetizers are sure to be your new favorite Copycat Recipe for parties or events. Move over Bang Bang Shrimp, there’s a new spicy, crispy finger food recipe in town.
TEXAS ROADHOUSE RATTLESNAKE BITES
When it comes to appetizers, easy fried classics like chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, and fries are always a hit. But if you want to kick up your party food up a notch, you (and your guests) are going to absolutely love this real deal copy of a favorite app!
These Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites are cheesy, crispy, and surprisingly easy recipe to recreate at home. All you need is a fryer (a large pot or wok will work), and a handful of ingredients. It doesn’t take too long to get these cheese filled spicy bites to a golden brown.
If you haven’t had a Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bite yet, get ready to have your mind blown. Imagine the best mozzarella sticks and jalapeno poppers rolled into bite-sized balls perfect for dipping. They are just the right amount of spicy and the creamy jack cheese just melts in your mouth.
These tasty little bites are delicious on their own but dipping sauces like Ranch Dressing or Honey Mustard add a kick of flavor while cooling down the heat. Traditionally, Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites are served with a Cajun Horseradish Sauce and I will definitely be doing a copycat recipe for that soon! Until then, I put a quick spicy horseradish sauce down below.
Quick Creamy Horseradish Dipping Sauce:
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- Mix the following ingredients together in a small bowl and chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving with your Rattlesnake Bites.
- Ingredients: ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 teaspoons ketchup, 2 teaspoons creamy horseradish, 1 dash cayenne pepper
MORE DELICIOUS DIPPING SAUCES
HOW TO MAKE TEXAS ROADHOUSE RATTLESNAKE BITES
- Roll Bites: Mix the cheddar cheese and jalapenos, then roll into ¾ inch balls.
- Chill Bites: Place the balls on a cookie sheet and freeze completely (2 hours is best, but 1 hour minimum).
- Coat Bites: Roll the balls in the flour, then the milk/egg mixture, then the breadcrumb/seasoning mixture.
- Fry Bites: Fry the balls in 350 degree oil in batches until golden brown.

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VARIATIONS ON TEXAS ROADHOUSE RATTLESNAKE BITES
- Cheese: In authentic recipes, Monterey Jack cheese is what goes in Rattlesnake Bites but in your homemade ones try blending in mozzarella or pepper jack cheese. Also try cream cheese to make your bites gooey and creamy.
- Hot Peppers: You can swap the fresh jalapenos for diced pickled jalapenos for a bit milder heat. If you want them more spicy, try using Habanero or Serrano peppers.
- Southwestern: Use a tablespoon of Homemade Taco Seasoning in your breading and use diced green chiles instead of jalapenos for a Southwestern flavor.
Tips for Frying Rattlesnake Bites:
- Don’t skip freezing your cheese balls before you deep fry them. Once you shape your cheese mixture, pop in the freezer for at least 1 hour. If you skip this step the bites will dissolve in the fryer and won’t look like the original. Remember the restaurant likely receives these bites in boxes already frozen. That is why their bites are perfect when they get to your table. Freeze them and you’ll be much happier with the results.
- Keep the temperature of your oil between 350 and 375 degrees. If you aren’t using an electronic fryer, invest in an oil thermometer.
- If you don’t have have a fryer, use a large pot or wok that has high sides. This way the oil doesn’t splash out and you can fill halfway and still submerge the small bites that you’re frying.
- Don’t overcrowd the fryer or pot. Adding too much food will bring down the temperature of the oil and cause your food to get greasy or soggy for cooking too long in the oil.
MORE EASY APPETIZER RECIPES
HOW TO STORE TEXAS ROADHOUSE RATTLESNAKE BITES
- Serve: Rattlesnake Bites are good for up to 2 hours at room temperature.
- Store: I don’t recommend storing these in the fridge for more than 3 days. Allow to cool before sealing in a container so no moisture collects.
- Freeze: To store longer, flash freeze your bites on a cookie sheet for an hour. Transfer to a freezer bag and keep for up to 2 months. Reheat by frying or in the oven.


Ingredients
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese , shredded
- 2 jalapeños , minced
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- 1 cup flour
- 1 large egg , beaten
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups plain bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- canola or vegetable oil , for frying
Instructions
- Combine your shredded cheese, minced garlic, and jalapenos in a bowl and mix.
- Shape cheese mixture into about ¾ inch balls, squeezing tightly to compress.
- Place the balls on cookie sheet and freeze for about 60 minutes minimum but for 2 hours is preferred.
- Preheat your deep fryer to 350 degrees.
- Place the flour in a bowl.
- Mix the egg and milk together in a second bowl.
- Mix the bread crumbs, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a third bowl.
- Roll the chilled balls in the flour mixture, then dipping into the egg mixture, and lastly coating with the bread crumb mixture.
- Fry in batches for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towel.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
These look amazing. Could you make including the coating then freeze these ahead of time. When I want to make them just pop out of freezer and deep fry?
Do these steps ahead of time…
Roll Bites: Mix the cheddar cheese and jalapenos, then roll into 3/4 inch balls.
Chill Bites: Place the balls on a cookie sheet and freeze completely (2 hours is best, but 1 hour minimum). Not sure how long ahead you’re thinking but I’m guessing 1 – 2 days in advance would work?
THEN defrost and follow the recipe from there.
Let us know how yours turn out!
HELP! I’ve followed the recipe but can’t get balls out of cheese jalapeños and garlic! No way is this able to shape into a ball!!! What am I missing
HOW TO MAKE TEXAS ROADHOUSE RATTLESNAKE BITES
Roll Bites: Mix the cheddar cheese and jalapenos, then roll into ¾ inch balls.
Chill Bites: Place the balls on a cookie sheet and freeze completely (2 hours is best, but 1 hour minimum).
Coat Bites: Roll the balls in the flour, then the milk/egg mixture, then the breadcrumb/seasoning mixture.
Fry Bites: Fry the balls in 350 degree oil in batches until golden brown.
Not sure about the garlic in “Roll Bites” step?
Let us know how they turned out!
Hi, Maureen. You have to make sure the cheese and jalapenos are mixed really well. Then compress the mixture tight when forming the balls. It takes a bit, but can be done.
Is it ok to freeze overnight?
Freeze: To store longer, flash freeze your bites on a cookie sheet for an hour. Transfer to a freezer bag and keep for up to 2 months. Reheat by frying or in the oven.
Can these be made in an air fryer? If you think it’s possible, how would you tweak the recipe?
Sounds reasonable; I just haven’t tested this recipe using an air fryer.
Yummy!
I love this i am doing something for school and this helped me get away from the fake rattlesnake fries at Taco Bell. Ps… where’s the nutrition facts
Can I bake these bites in the oven?
If I were to deviate from the recipe to make these bites less greasy (I’m assuming that’s why you’d like to bake them in an oven?) I would recomment experimenting with an air fryer to get closer to the “fried” taste you’re looking for in this recipe.
Yumm.
These look delish, can’t wait to try them. But can I panko crumbs instead of bread crumbs, has anyone tried this. Thanks
Sabrina- the recipe for rattlesnake bites sounds amazing! Is there a alternative to frying? Could I bake or air fry and for how long? Thank you so much – love your recipes
You could but I haven’t tried it so I am not sure the cook times or how it would all end up :/
I love these and the comments ¬_¬
Can I freeze them for a later date?
Ready to try it!!
these look wonderful gotta try
HI Sabrina
I have made these once…what dip is in your recipe and what do you recommend? Thanks!
The recipe is up in the post for the horseradish sauce. Happy Holidays!
The ingredients calls for minced garlic, but instructions don’t say when to use it. I see when to use the garlic powder though
Thanks for catching that. You’ll want to add it in with the shredded cheese and jalapeños. I’ve adjusted the recipe card to include it now. I hope you enjoy them.
Yum!
Is there a way to cook them besides deep frying?
I’ve not tested it any other way, sorry.
These bites are so tasty! I could eat a dozen in no time!
They’re pretty addicting so I don’t blame you.
Cheesy goodness with a little kick. This was a big hit at our football party over the weekend. Yum!
Fantastic! Thanks for coming back to let me know, Krissy.
These little bites are delicious. They make the perfect party appetizer.
Definitely!
I haven’t tried the rattlesnake bites at Texas Roadhouse, but I can’t wait to make your homemade version. Cheese and a kick – count me in!
It’s the perfect combination. Enjoy!