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Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls Recipe

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4.8 from 127 reviews

Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these Air Fryer Fried Macaroni & Cheese Balls are the perfect bite-sized comfort food. Using the air fryer method, these cheesy delights come out golden brown and crunchy with less oil than traditional frying, making them a lighter yet delicious snack or appetizer that anyone will love.

Ingredients

Macaroni & Cheese Mixture

  • 2 cups cooked macaroni
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup cream cheese, softened

Coating Station

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs

Seasonings

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Additional

  • Cooking spray or oil for the air fryer

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Macaroni: Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and let it cool slightly to avoid melting the cheese mixture prematurely.
  2. Mix the Cheeses: In a large bowl, combine the warm cooked macaroni with shredded cheddar cheese and softened cream cheese. Stir well to ensure the cheeses evenly coat the macaroni creating a creamy, binded mixture.
  3. Season the Mixture: Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly to distribute all seasonings evenly throughout the macaroni cheese blend.
  4. Form the Balls: Using clean hands, scoop out portions of the mixture and roll them into golf ball-sized spheres. Continue until all the mixture is shaped into balls.
  5. Prepare the Coating: Set up a breading station with three separate shallow bowls: one filled with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs.
  6. Coat the Balls: Roll each macaroni ball first in flour to coat, then dip into the beaten eggs to moisten, and finally roll in breadcrumbs to cover fully. This triple coating ensures a crispy crust when air fried.
  7. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for approximately 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  8. Air Fry the Balls: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the macaroni balls in a single layer without overcrowding to allow hot air to circulate properly. Spray the tops with cooking spray to enhance browning.
  9. Cook: Air fry the balls for 10-12 minutes until they turn a golden brown and appear crispy on the outside. Flip or turn them halfway through cooking to promote even crisping.
  10. Serve: Remove the macaroni & cheese balls carefully from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving warm as a delicious snack or appetizer.

Notes

  • Make sure the macaroni is cooled slightly before mixing with cheeses to prevent melting or becoming too runny.
  • For extra crispy results, you can double coat the balls by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps.
  • If you don’t have cooking spray, lightly brushing the air fryer basket and balls with oil works as well.
  • These balls can be prepared ahead and frozen before frying; just cook from frozen adding a couple extra minutes to air frying time.
  • The size of the balls can be adjusted according to preference but smaller balls cook faster and yield more bite-sized pieces.

Find it online: https://forkvista.com/air-fryer-mac-and-cheese-balls-recipe/