Crispy Cheese Bites
These are golden, crispy, and melty breaded cheese bites. They are typically served as a basket-style appetizer and come with two signature dipping sauces: House-made Buttermilk Ranch and Firecracker Mayo (a spicy, zesty aioli).
Price
Prices for this appetizer usually range from $8.99 to $11.49, depending on your specific location and local taxes. In some regions, they may be available at a discount during “Happy Hour” or as part of a “2 for $25” type deal.
Calories
The total calorie count for a full order includes the cheese bites and the dipping sauces:
- Total for the Order: Approximately 1,570 calories.
- Cheese Bites Only (No Sauce): Approximately 1,390 calories.
- Dipping Sauces: Ranch and Firecracker Mayo add roughly 180–200 calories total.
Ingredients
While Applebee’s uses proprietary pre-breaded products, the primary ingredients include:
- Cheese: Typically white cheddar or cheese curds.
- Breading: Wheat flour, cornstarch, yellow corn flour, and leavening (baking soda).
- Seasoning: Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and spices.
- Fryer Oil: Vegetable oil (refined soybean oil).
- Dipping Sauces: Soybean oil, water, egg yolks, vinegar, sugar, and dried peppers (for the Firecracker Mayo).
Nutritions
The following values are for a full serving size (standard appetizer order):
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Total Fat | 122g |
| Saturated Fat | 45g |
| Trans Fat | 2.5g |
| Cholesterol | 205mg |
| Sodium | 3,110mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 60g |
| Dietary Fiber | 6g |
| Sugars | 8g |
| Protein | 52g |
Allergens
Applebee’s identifies the following major allergens present in this dish:
- Milk: Primary allergen (the cheese and ranch).
- Wheat / Gluten: Present in the crispy breading.
- Egg: Found in the breading wash and the mayonnaise-based dipping sauces.
- Soy: Typically found in the frying oil and sauce emulsifiers.
- Cross-Contamination Warning: Because Applebee’s uses shared fryers, there is a high risk of cross-contact with Shellfish and Fish.
