Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites: Spicy Cheese Poppers with a Kick

The first time I served these Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites at a game day party, they disappeared faster than any other appetizer on the table. These spicy cheese poppers take traditional mozzarella sticks to new heights by combining shredded Monterey Jack cheese with zesty pickled jalapeños, all coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection. Paired with the signature Cajun Horseradish Sauce, they deliver an irresistible combination of heat, creaminess, and crunch that will have everyone reaching for more.

Copycat Texas Roadhouse rattlesnake bites and cajun sauce in a serving basket.

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Why you’ll love this recipe 

The secret to authentic Rattlesnake Bites lies in the precise seasoning blend and proper preparation technique. Freezing the cheese balls before breading ensures they retain their shape during frying, while the double coating creates a perfect, crispy exterior. The Cajun Horseradish Sauce provides cooling creaminess with a spicy kick that perfectly complements the cheesy bites. Best of all, these poppers freeze beautifully, meaning you’re always minutes away from a restaurant-quality appetizer at home.

Ingredients you will need 

For the Cajun Horseradish Sauce:

  • Sour cream – Creates the creamy base that balances the heat
  • Prepared horseradish – Delivers essential sharp, sinus-clearing kick
  • Chili sauce – Adds tangy tomato flavor and mild heat
  • White sugar – Balances the acidic and spicy elements
  • Apple cider vinegar – Provides brightness and tang
  • Cajun seasoning – Contributes complex spice profile and authentic flavor

For the Rattlesnake Bites:

  • Monterey Jack cheese – Provides ideal melting texture with mild flavor
  • Pickled jalapeño peppers – Delivers the signature heat and tang
  • All-purpose flour – Forms the first layer of the coating
  • Seasoned salt – Adds savory foundation to the breading
  • Onion powder – Contributes aromatic depth
  • Garlic powder – Provides essential savory notes
  • Paprika – Adds color and mild pepper flavor
  • Black pepper – Delivers background warmth
  • Cayenne pepper – Increases the heat level
  • Egg – Acts as binding agent for breading
  • Whole milk – Thins the egg for proper coating
  • Plain breadcrumbs – Creates the crispy exterior shell
  • Canola or vegetable oil – High smoke point oil ideal for frying

Opt for an American version of chili sauce, such as Heinz Chili Sauce, over a more traditional option like Sriracha. 

Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning works well, but feel free to use your favorite. 

Copycat Texas Roadhouse rattlesnake bites and cajun sauce ingredients on a tray.

How to make Rattlesnake Bites like Texas Roadhouse

To prepare the Cajun Horseradish sauce:

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, prepared horseradish, chili sauce, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Cajun seasoning.
  2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. 
Collage of making cajun sauce for rattlesnake bites.

To form the cheese balls for the Rattlesnake Bites Texas Roadhouse style:

  1. Finely shred the Monterey Jack into a large bowl. 
  2. Finely chop the pickled jalapenos and add to the bowl with the shredded cheese. 
  3. Mix well and set to the side.
Shredded cheese and chopped jalapeno peppers in a bowl.
  1. In a separate bowl, mix flour, seasoned salt, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, freshly ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Reserve.
Seasoned flour ingredients in a bowl.
  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
  2. Shape cheese mixture into well-compressed one-inch balls.
Jalapeno cheese balls on a tray.
  1. Coat them in the seasoned flour. Shake off the excess and place onto the parchment-lined baking tray.
  2. Freeze the floured cheese balls for at least 30 minutes. 
Seasoned flour coated cheese balls on a tray.

To bread and fry the Rattlesnake Bites: 

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Place the bowl of egg mixture next to a separate bowl of breadcrumbs. 
  2. Dip a frozen cheese ball into the egg mixture and then roll it in the breadcrumbs. Set the breaded Bite on a wire rack to rest. Repeat with the remaining cheese balls.
  3. Pour at least two inches of oil into a heavy-bottomed pot or a deep fryer. 
  4. If you are using a pot, attach a deep-fry thermometer to the side.
  5. Heat over medium-high until the oil temperature reaches 350°F. 
  6. Set a clean wire rack over a rimmed baking tray and set it near where you are frying. 
  7. Fry the breaded Bites in small batches until golden brown, about three to four minutes. 
  8. Use a spider to remove the Bites from the oil and place them on the wire rack to drain.
  9. Repeat with the remaining cheese balls. Serve hot.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse rattlesnake bites with cajun sauce in a serving basket.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse rattlesnake bites and cajun sauce in a serving basket.

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

Spicy Monterey Jack cheese and jalapeño bites, perfectly fried to golden crispy perfection. Serve with homemade Cajun Horseradish Sauce for an irresistible appetizer.
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Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Texas Roadhouse Recipes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Freezing: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 607kcal

Ingredients

Cajun Horseradish Sauce

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3 teaspoons prepared horseradish
  • 2 teaspoons chili sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (like Slap Ya Mama)

Rattlesnake Bites

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/16 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 16 ounces Monterey Jack cheese block cheese, shredded
  • 3 tablespoons finely diced pickled jalapeño peppers
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cups dry breadcrumbs
  • oil for frying

Instructions

  • To make the Cajun horseradish sauce, combine all the sauce ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve.
  • To make the Rattlesnake Bites, first combine the flour and spices in a small bowl and stir until the mixture is uniform. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the shredded cheese and pickled jalapeños. Shape the cheese mixture into 1-inch balls, squeezing tightly to compress.
  • Dip the cheese balls into the seasoned flour and shake off the excess. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat a deep fryer to 350°F.
  • In a shallow bowl combine the egg and milk. Mix well. Place the breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl.
  • Dip the floured cheese balls into the egg and milk mixture and then into the breadcrumbs. Place the cheese balls back onto the cookie sheet and freeze until the oil is hot.
  • Fry in batches for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on a wire rack and serve with Cajun horseradish sauce.

Notes

For authentic Texas Roadhouse flavor, use American-style chili sauce like Heinz rather than Asian-style hot sauces. Always shred your own cheese rather than using pre-shredded varieties, as the anti-clumping additives in packaged shredded cheese prevent proper melting. Compressing the cheese balls firmly is crucial for preventing them from falling apart during frying. If you prefer a milder version, reduce the amount of jalapeños and cayenne or substitute with milder peppers.

Nutrition

Calories: 607kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 1001mg | Potassium: 287mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1267IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 714mg | Iron: 3mg

What to serve with Rattlesnake Bites

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites go well with a variety of sauces and other appetizers such as:

  • Dipping sauces. In addition to the Cajun Horseradish Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites Sauce, you can offer your guests other options, such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, sriracha aioli, and sweet chili sauce. 
  • Chicken wings. Chicken wings go with just about anything. Try pairing Rattlesnake Bites with Cajun Wings and Hot Wings to keep it spicy, or give your tongue a break with Garlic-Parmesan Wings and Honey BBQ Wings.
  • Fresh fruit. Cool things down and add a bit of sweetness to your snack table with a platter of fresh-cut fruit and a couple of fruit-friendly dips. Lemon curd goes great with less tart fruits like mango, pears, and apples. Jason’s Deli Fruit Dip pairs well with just about any fruit, and it is a snap to make. 

How to store Rattlesnake Bites

To store your leftover Rattlesnake Bites, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to three days. You can freeze them for up to a month. If freezing, prevent them from clumping by spreading the Bites on a parchment-lined tray and freezing for 3–4 hours before transferring them to a freezer-safe container.

What is the best way to reheat them?

To avoid soggy Bites, heat in an air fryer. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can use the oven:

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F or oven to 375°F.
  2. Heat the bites for 5 minutes (8-10 if frozen) in the air fryer. In the oven, cook them on a baking tray for 10 minutes (or 12-16 if frozen). Flip them halfway through the cooking time. 
Copycat Texas Roadhouse rattlesnake bites and cajun dipping sauce in a serving basket.

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Hi there! I’m Stephanie Manley, the creator behind CopyKat.com — and a passionate advocate for helping home cooks recreate restaurant-style meals at home.

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Today, CopyKat has helped millions of home cooks save money, customize their meals, and rediscover their favorite flavors.

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