# Deep-Fried Macaroni Bites Funnybones Foodservice Turns Mac and Cheese Meals into Deep-Fried Snacks By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2015-08-19 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/deep-fried-snack References: [barmagazine](http://barmagazine.co.uk/mac-n-cheese-inspires-new-bite-size-snack-from-funnybones/) & [funnybones](http://www.funnybones.co.uk/) Macaroni and cheese is often thought of as a comforting meal to dig into for lunch or dinner, but Funnybones Foodservice is now making it easy to eat as a deep-fried snack. The 'Rio Pacific Macaroni Cheese Bites' are like a hybrid of classic American [mac 'n' cheese](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mac-n-cheese-dishes) and favorite deep-fried foods. By transforming this cheesy dish into a finger food, it's becoming easier for the brand to introduce this deep-fried snack to bars and restaurants. The bite-sized dish is a versatile one that's being introduced to eateries as a starter, snack and item that can be shared with multiple diners at a table. As if the deep-fried macaroni snack wasn't enticing enough, it's served with Funnybones' [Rio Pacific Deluxe BBQ](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bbq-chicken-bacon-mac-n-cheese) or Cajun and Tomato sauce. To prepare, restaurants and bars need only deep-fry or oven-bake the snack from frozen, until golden brown. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 22% | Activity: 30% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Deep-fried Snacks:** Innovative companies can explore other mealtime staples, like deep-fried versions of pizza, sandwiches, or sushi. - **Transforming Comfort Foods:** There is an opportunity to turn other similar comfort foods into bite-sized snacks, such as deep-fried lasagna bites or fried mac and cheese nuggets. - **Creating Unique Sauces:** Businesses may want to explore creating new and unique sauces to complement the flavors of existing popular dishes. ### Where This Applies - **Casual Dining Services:** Restaurants and bars can easily incorporate these deep-fried snacks as starters on their menus. - **Frozen Food Manufacturing:** Companies with frozen food manufacturing capabilities can create and distribute products like deep-fried macaroni bites for retail and foodservice. - **Condiment Manufacturing:** Companies can explore creating and selling unique sauces to complement popular menu items in the casual dining industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Crispy QSR Macaroni Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fried-mac-n-cheese-bites.md) - [Gourmet Macaroni Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mac-cheese-frozen-ready-meals.md) - [Grilled Cheese-Style Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grilled-cheesestyle-bites.md) - [Flavor-Packed Macaroni Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wing-snob-mac-and-cheese.md) - [Snackable Frozen Appetizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tastiez.md) - [Spooky Macaroni Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheetos-mac-n-cheese-box-of-bones.md) - [Fried Chicken-Flavored Macaroni](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kd-kfc-original-recipe-flavour-mac-n-cheese.md) - [Cheese-Filled QSR Combos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/schlotzskys-mac-and-cheese.md) - [Cheesy Fried Chicken Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buffalo-chicken-mac-cheese.md)