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Easy Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls Recipe recipe

Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls Recipe

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Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are the ultimate party appetizer! These are savory meatballs made from a blend of ground beef and spicy sausage, seasoned with bold Mexican spices and fresh jalapeños. Each ball is stuffed with a cube of melting cheese, then coated in a crunchy crushed tortilla chip crust and fried to golden perfection. Serve them hot with salsa or queso for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

  • Total Time: 35
  • Yield: 16 balls

Ingredients

— The Meat Mixture —

1 lb (450g) ground beef

1 lb (450g) spicy ground sausage (or chorizo for extra flavor)

1 large egg

1 cup plain breadcrumbs

1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

— The Filling —

12-16 cubes of Mozzarella or Pepper Jack cheese (about 1 inch cubes)

— The Coating —

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 large eggs, whisked

1½ cups tortilla chips, crushed finely (Doritos or plain salted)

Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

1. **Prepare the Meat Mixture:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, spicy sausage, 1 egg, breadcrumbs, diced jalapeño, and all the dry spices (garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper). Mix with your hands until well combined. **Tip:** Do not overwork the meat or it can become tough.

2. **Form the Balls:** Scoop a portion of the meat mixture (about the size of a golf ball) and flatten it slightly in your palm.

3. **Stuff with Cheese:** Place a cheese cube in the center of the meat patty. Fold the meat up and around the cheese, sealing it completely. Roll it between your palms to ensure it is a smooth, tight ball with no cheese showing.

4. **Set Up Breading Station:** Prepare three shallow bowls. Place the flour in the first bowl. Whisk the 2 eggs in the second bowl. Place the crushed tortilla chips in the third bowl.

5. **Coat the Balls:** Roll each meatball first in the flour (shake off excess), then dip it into the beaten egg, and finally roll it in the crushed tortilla chips, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs.

6. **Fry:** Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep pan or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Fry the balls in batches for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are deep golden brown and cooked through.

7. **Drain & Serve:** Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Let them cool slightly (the cheese inside will be molten hot!). Serve warm with salsa, guacamole, or queso dip.

Notes

Spice Level: To make it spicier, leave the seeds in the jalapeño or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.

Cheese: Pepper Jack cheese adds a nice extra kick, but Mozzarella gives the best ‘cheese pull.’

Baking Option: If you prefer not to fry, you can bake these at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes. Spray them generously with cooking spray before baking to help the tortilla crust crisp up.

Make Ahead: You can assemble and coat the balls, then freeze them before frying. Fry from frozen (add a few extra minutes to the cook time).

  • Author: Anna Lovae
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Deep Fry
  • Cuisine: Mexican / Tex-Mex