Air Fryer Mac And Cheese Balls Recipe

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These air fryer mac and cheese balls are crunchy, gooey, and full of delicious cheesy flavor! They are sure to be a hit with your kids or dinner guests, and you’ll get this recipe requested again and again. It might be obvious by now, but I’m a huge fan of my air fryer! It makes cooking so fast and is a healthier option than oil frying. It’s the best of both worlds! If you have an air fryer and want to make other yummy appetizers in it, I have ideas for you! Try these Crispy Air Fryer Egg Rolls, my absolute favorite Air Fryer Fried Pickles, and these crunchy and flavorful Air Fryer Cream Cheese Wontons.

Mac and Cheese Balls Recipe

This recipe is the ultimate way to use up leftover mac and cheese. We all know that next-day macaroni and cheese doesn’t taste as good because it’s so hard to reheat. Here is the perfect solution! This delicious recipe needs refrigerated mac because they will easily form into balls. After you form it into balls, then you coat it in a delicious crust made from eggs, breadcrumbs, and a scrumptious blend of seasonings. You heat them up in the air fryer, and they become the ultimate leftover hack! Before placing them in the air fryer, it is important that you place the balls on a pan in the freezer for about 20 minutes to harden. They should be stiff so that they won’t fall apart in the air fryer. This recipe is so fun to make and will turn into a family favorite appetizer or snack!

Ingredients in Mac and Cheese Balls

Here is what you will need to make these mac and cheese balls. Switch up the seasonings to create different flavor profiles that your family will love! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements. If you decide to make the mac the same day, make sure it has time to chill and harden in the fridge properly. I recommend making it beforehand and refrigerating for at least 4 hours to ensure that your mac will easily form into a ball and stay together!

Leftover Macaroni and Cheese: You will use leftover macaroni and cheese for this recipe. Make sure it has chilled in the fridge for at least 4 hours before you use it.Eggs: I used large eggs in this recipe.Panko Breadcrumbs: I mixed the seasonings listed below with the breadcrumbs to make a delicious and flavorful crust!Salt: Add salt to taste. The macaroni already has salt in it so you probably won’t need too much extra! Garlic Powder: You need to use dry seasonings so that the flavors can blend evenly with the breadcrumbs.Smoked Paprika: This seasoning adds a pop of flavor that you would miss if you left out!Dried Italian Seasoning: You can buy this at the store or make this at home using this easy recipe.

Making the Mac and Cheese Balls

Since your macaroni is already prepared then you can whip these up in just 15 minutes! I love my air fryer because it makes cooking so simple. If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t worry! Scroll down to see my tips for baking or pan-frying.

BBQ Sauce: This is my kids’ favorite. BBQ sauce goes great with these cheesy bites and adds a tangy and smoky flavor that will make your mouth water!Ranch Dressing: I promise these two were made for each other. You won’t regret making this homemade ranch dressing to go along with them!Fry Sauce: This classic mayo-based sauce is tangy because of the Worcestershire sauce and pickle brine. It’s surprisingly delicious and a perfect way to brighten up these mac and cheese balls!

Bake: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and heat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the coated mac and cheese balls on the pan and spray the balls with olive oil cooking spray. Bake for about 8-10 minutes. Flip the balls over, spray with additional olive oil spray and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until browned and golden. Pan-Fried: Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Add some canola oil and heat until nice and hot. Add the coated mac and cheese balls to the hot skillet and cook until evenly golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

In the Refrigerator: Once cooled, I recommend storing these wrapped in foil and placing them in the refrigerator for no longer than 2-3 days. If they are stored in an air-tight container, they can get soggy and soft.To Reheat: Place the mac and cheese balls on a baking pan, leaving them wrapped in the foil, and then put them in the oven at 325 degrees until warm in the center. When you use foil, it will help them reheat evenly. If you reheat these in the microwave, the outside will get soft instead of crunchy.

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All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household. Read More Posts by Alyssa facebook twitter pinterest instagram Comment * Name * Email * Website