Throwing away chicken bones seems like a natural reflex, but this recipe shows you how to transform them into a tasty and budget-friendly snack! This clever method utilizes leftover bones, potatoes, and spices to create crispy, bite-sized treats that are perfect for emergencies, appetizers, or a fun family activity.
Ingredients
Chicken Bones:
- Leftover bones from 3-4 chicken legs (remove any large cartilage pieces)
Vegetables:
- 2 large potatoes (boiled and mashed)
- 3-4 cucumbers (diced)
- 20 cloves garlic (minced)
- 10 hot peppers (diced, adjust to your spice preference)
Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt
- 2 teaspoons lemon salt
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Binding:
- 1 egg
Breading:
- 1 glass all-purpose flour
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 200g breadcrumbs
Cooking:
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Prep the Bones: Boil the chicken bones in water until tender (about 30 minutes). Remove the meat from the bones and set aside. You can use this shredded chicken in other recipes or discard it.
- Combine the Base: In a large bowl, mix together the mashed potatoes, diced cucumbers, garlic, hot peppers, and all the seasonings (coarse salt, lemon salt, thyme, cumin, red pepper flakes). Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Incorporate the Chicken: Shred the reserved chicken meat (optional) and add it to the mixture.
- Form the Balls: Add the egg and mix well. Use your hands to shape the mixture around the leftover chicken bones, creating bite-sized balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
- Bread the Balls: Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. Dip each frozen ball in the flour, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumbs, ensuring complete coating.
- Fry it Up!: Heat enough oil in a deep pan or fryer to reach 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the breaded balls in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve & Enjoy! Serve your delicious chicken bone balls hot with your favorite dipping sauce, like sriracha mayo, sweet and sour sauce, or even ranch dressing.
Tips
- You can adjust the level of spiciness by adding less or more hot peppers.
- Freeze leftover balls for a quick and easy snack anytime.
- Use different herbs and spices to customize the flavor profile.
- For a healthier option, bake the breaded balls instead of frying them.
So next time you find yourself with leftover chicken bones, don’t toss them! Give this recipe a try and be surprised by the delicious and resourceful way to turn scraps into a crowd-pleasing treat.
