Rattlesnake Bites (Texas Roadhouse Style)

These Texas Roadhouse-style Rattlesnake Bites are crispy, spicy, and packed with melted pepper jack cheese and jalapeños. Perfect as an appetizer or game-day snack, they’re fried to golden perfection and served hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

This recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor right at home, with simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions to help you get it just right.

Ingredients

2 cups pepper jack cheese, shredded
3 jalapeños, seeds removed and finely diced
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups fine breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling

In a medium bowl, mix together the shredded pepper jack cheese and finely diced jalapeños.
Form the mixture into small balls (about 1-inch in diameter).
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes to firm up.

2. Set Up the Breading Station

In three shallow bowls:

Add flour to the first
Whisk eggs and milk in the second
Mix breadcrumbs, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and salt in the third

3. Bread the Bites

Once firm, dip each cheese ball in the flour, then the egg mixture, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture.
For extra crispiness, repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps a second time.

4. Fry

Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).
Fry the cheese balls in batches for 2–3 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.