Bet you can’t eat just one: Try these crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside Air-Fryer Mac And Cheese Balls!
My family loves appetizer dinners. That’s what we call a night where we just have “party food” as our main meal. Except without the party guests! It’s usually on a weekend night when we have more time to sit back and enjoy, graze, and either play a game or watch something. Appetizer dinners are a fun break from the usual “meat plus veg plus starch” meals that we usually eat. A few apps have become favorites for these dinners, and air-fryer mac and cheese balls are one of them.
I had mac and cheese bites at a local brewery before I ever made them in my own kitchen. Inspiration struck one night when I had some leftover homemade mac and cheese, so I decided to try to make my own. Crispy? Yes. Appropriately cheesy and a little gooey on the inside? Yes again! They were a big hit and way easier to make than I’d originally imagined.
You will love making air-fryer mac and cheese balls because they are a great appetizer or main and a fun spin on classic mac and cheese. You can use mac and cheese prepared from your favorite box mix or a homemade version. As long as it’s chilled, either works for these yummy bites. The air fryer is a wonderful way to cook them so that you get that crunch on the outside, but the inside stays perfectly soft and cheesy. Plus, the air fryer means no grease or mess. It’s a win-win.
Why all the chilling?
In this recipe, you start with chilled (often leftover) prepared mac and cheese and then form the balls and flash-freeze for about 30 minutes. All before rolling them in the coating and air-frying them. There’s a reason for that. If you just form the mac and cheese into balls, coat them, and then air-fry them immediately, they will fall apart. That flash-freezing is crucial because it helps the structure hold. Since you will likely air fry in batches, you can also freeze in batches, if that saves space in a crowded freezer.
How do I store leftovers?
To store leftover air-fryer mac and cheese balls, place them in a resealable bag or airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When ready to eat, simply pop them back in the air fryer set to 350°F and warm for approximately 4-6 minutes. You can also freeze leftovers. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Serving suggestions
Air-fryer mac and cheese balls are delicious plain or served with dip. Our family likes barbecue sauce, sweet chili sauce, or hot sauce. Although it’s not dip, these bites are also yummy served alongside creamy tomato or Vegetable Soup on a chilly day. If serving as part of a big spread, air-fryer mac and cheese balls pair really well with other hearty appetizers like Buffalo Chicken Wings or Mini Corn Dogs. Round out your spread with fresh veggies and ranch dip, or chips and salsa plus Crock-Pot Queso Dip, and you will have a feast!
Air-Fryer Mac And Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 4 cups prepared macaroni and cheese chilled
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chilled macaroni and cheese with the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Roll 2 tablespoons of mixture into balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Freeze the mac and cheese balls for 30 minutes until firm.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs. In another bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, and salt.
- Coat each frozen mac and cheese ball by dipping it in the eggs and then rolling it in the breadcrumb mixture for an even layer.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Gently spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange the coated balls in a single layer within the basket, ensuring they do not touch. Air fry at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
- Carefully remove the mac and cheese balls from the air fryer and serve warm.
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