Cheesepokes
When I was in high school, we has a fast food place in the mall food court called Cowpokes. They served corn dogs and what they called cheesepokes. I loved this place and loved cheesepokes. Cheesepokes were corn dogs with cheese instead of the dog. I have occasionally gotten this deliciousness at the spring fair, but I miss and have missed for a long time Cowpokes. I googled Cowpokes and it appears that this place has long since ceased to exist. So I'm going to claim the name Cheesepokes.
I'm not sure but it is very possible that part of the reason I loved Cowpokes was because of the meaning of that word. It is slang for cowboy. And I have cowboy blood running through my veins. Lucy's and my dad grew up on a cattle ranch and his dad grew up on a cattle ranch. We come from a long line of cowboys. The cowboy traits have come out differently in each of us 5 girls. But there is cowboy in all of us.
Since I am no longer able to get cheesepokes easily, I will make my own. I think this is how a lot of the things I make start. Either I want a healthier version or I can't buy it anymore. I'm sure my version will be healthier anyway. (Yeah, right they are deep fried. Who are we kidding.)
Cheesepokes
Pour oil in a large pot that is wide enough for the cheese on the stick to fit in easily and deeper than the cheesepoke is wide by a couple inches. I used my Dutch oven and poured 2 - 48oz bottles of oil in it. That was perfect. Heat oil on medium high until it bubbles when you put the handle of a wooden spoon in it. Then turn to medium. Cut cheddar cheese into chunks about the size of a hot dog.
In a large bowl, mix together all dry ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk eggs and milk together. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Pour batter in a tall drinking glass.
Dunk the cheese on a stick in the batter. Pull it out some and dunk it back in. Pull it out and make sure there is batter on the end of the cheese. Place cheese poke into hot oil.
Fry until it is a dark golden color. It will float pretty quickly after putting it in the oil. Flip to cook both sides. When it is done, place on paper towels to drain off some oil. Enjoy when skewer is cool enough to handle.
You can use this same batter and direction to make corn dogs as well.
📖 Recipe
Cheesepokes
Ingredients
- Cheddar cheese
- Skewers 6 - 8 inches long
- 1 ½ cups corn meal
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Pour oil in a large pot that is wide enough for the cheese on the stick to fit in easily and deeper than the cheesepoke is wide by a couple inches. I used my Dutch oven and poured 2 - 48oz bottles of oil in it. That was perfect.
- Heat oil on medium high until it bubbles when you put the handle of a wooden spoon in it. Then turn to medium.
- Meanwhile cut cheddar cheese into chunks about the size of a hot dog.
- In a large bowl, mix together all dry ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk eggs and milk together. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Pour batter in a tall drinking glass.
- Dunk the cheese on a stick in the batter. Pull it out some and dunk it back in. Pull it out and make sure there is batter on the end of the cheese.
- Place cheese poke into hot oil. Fry until it is a dark golden color. It will float pretty quickly after putting it in the oil. Flip to cook both sides.
- When it is done, place on paper towels to drain off some oil. Enjoy when skewer is cool enough to handle.
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Oh my goodness! These look SO good! I just have to try them! 🙂 Thanks for sharing with "Try a New Recipe Tuesday."
These sound delicous! I clicked over from the Weekend Potluck because I was curious to see what cheesepokes were! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks and thanks for stopping by.
These sound soooo good! I love cheese, and fried..yum!
Cheese is just one of my favorite things in the world. Too bad fried cheese isn't healthy.
Don't you just LOVE those things that bring back memories with them? I have a few of those myself!!! Thanks for sharing on The Patriotic Pam link party this weekend. Pinning this recipe too!!!
Pam 🙂
Thanks for pinning and stopping by. These cheesepokes. Bring back such great memories. I can picture myself walking through the mall eating one. I can even remember what I wore.
Wow! This was also something I really loved, but at a little fast food chain called Corn Dog 7. I believe they've all gone by the wayside now, and I haven't had one of these in years.I never ordered a corn dog, just the cheese sticks - which came in American and Jalapeno! GREAT recipe, and I thank you for sharing it.
Deb
You're a woman after my own heart. Cowpokes had American & Mozzarella. When reading about making these, everyone said not to use American because it melts too quickly. I wonder how they did it.
Kerry, I can't write this in stone - but I'm thinking I heard that the American cheese was put in the stick, then frozen...does that make sense?
It does. I may have to try that. I made my own American cheese a while back. I'm going to have to do that and try it.
Let me know, ok? It's not a healthy snack, but sometimes you just need something good! LOL
Thanks for linking up at the Tasty Tuesdays! I am co-hosting this week. I hope you will hop over to my place for a visit and if you like what you see, follow me. Enter to win KitchenAid Holiday Baking Bundle Giveaway! Hope you are having a terrific week! Cathy
Thanks for stopping by. I definitely will swing by your place.
Hey Kerry. Stopping by from the Daily Blog Boost to say HEY and I would so love these Cheesepokes. Unfortunately my Cowboy doesn't like cheese. (I know) But maybe one day the Ham Boys will come for a visit and give me the excuse to make them. Thanks so much for sharing. <3 Kim
Thanks for stopping by. I can't imagine not liking cheese. I just can't even comprehend. I hope you get a chance to try these soon.
OH, these could be dangerous!!!!
Yes, they could be. I think special occasions is when we'll be having them.
There look awesome. My son loves cheese and things on a stick so he will love these!
You can't much better than cheese on a stick. Your son has the right idea.
What an interesting name for a restaurant but as long as the food is good who cares! sounds like my kind of a treat cause I rather not eat the dog part but I would love the cheese! Would love if you gals can come link up at first linky party!
I'm with you, I don't care for hot dogs. And the cheese is just yummy!