This Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls comes together in about 30 minutes and is made in your air fryer for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love!
Ingredient Breakdown
Let’s talk about what you’ll need for this incredible recipe. You probably have most of these items in your pantry already, and if not, they’re all super easy to find. Here’s the ingredient list:
1 cup elbow macaroni: The classic choice! You can swap for other pasta shapes if you want to get crazy.
2 tablespoons butter: Always better with real butter, trust me!
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: For that thick, cheesy goodness.
1 1/4 cups milk: Whole milk is ideal, but any milk will do.
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Because garlic makes everything better.
1/2 teaspoon onion powder: Adds a nice depth of flavor.
1/2 teaspoon salt: A couple pinches here will enhance everything!
1/4 teaspoon black pepper: For a little kick of flavor.
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: The star of the show, get your stretchy cheese fix!
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: For that nice, nutty flavor.
1 large egg: Helps hold everything together.
1/2 cup bread crumbs: You want these for that crispy coating.
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs: These will give it an extra crunch!
1/4 cup all-purpose flour: For dredging those balls before frying to perfection.
Vegetable oil for spraying: Just a light spray to help them crisp, no need to drown them!
How to Make Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls
Oh, I’m getting hungry just writing this! Let’s dive into how you whip up these amazing little balls of cheesy goodness. Follow along, and you’ll have them on the table in no time!
Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain it once it’s al dente, and set it aside. You know, you don’t want it to get too mushy!
Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes to create a roux that smells amazing.
Add Milk: Now, slowly pour in the 1 1/4 cups of milk while whisking to avoid those pesky lumps. Trust me, you don’t want lumpy mac and cheese!
Spice It Up: Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the milk mixture. Keep whisking until it’s smooth and is beginning to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.
Melt the Cheese: Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese until everything is ooey-gooey and melted. Remove from heat, and add in the cooked macaroni, stirring until it’s all coated and creamy. Oh, the smell is unreal!
Let It Cool: You’ll want to let this cheesy goodness cool for about 15-20 minutes before shaping.
Form the Balls: Scoop small portions of the macaroni and cheese mixture; it helps to use your hands here! Form these little beauties into ball shapes and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Coat the Balls: In a shallow dish, whisk the large egg until well beaten. In another shallow dish, mix the bread crumbs and panko bread crumbs. Roll each macaroni ball first in the egg, then coat well in the breadcrumb mixture. Ensure every bit is covered; no naked cheese balls here!
Prep for Air Fryer: Place those breaded beauties back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Spray them lightly with vegetable oil to help with that crispiness while air frying.
Air Fry Them: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the breaded macaroni balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and super crispy on the outside.
Serve and Enjoy: Once they’re done, carefully remove the macaroni and cheese balls from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, ranch, marinara, or buffalo sauce, whatever your family loves!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my amazing Air Fryer Egg Rolls, my Air Fryer Fried Pickles, or my fabulous Air Fryer Steak Bites!
What Makes This Recipe Special
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights! You can have everyone at the table with minimal fuss!
Comfort Food
These air fryer fried macaroni and cheese balls are loaded with tons of flavor and satisfaction. They hit all the right notes for classic comfort food, and who doesn’t love that?
Crowd-Pleaser
Whether it’s a family dinner or a gathering with friends, everyone will love these cheesy bites! They’re perfect as an appetizer or snack for parties while easily impressing your guests.
Customizable
The best part? You can tweak this recipe however you’d like! Use your favorite cheeses, add in some spicy jalapeños, or throw in some crispy bacon bits! It’s like a little blank canvas for flavors.
Make-Ahead Friendly
You can prep these mac and cheese balls ahead of time and freeze them! Just air fry them straight from the freezer, and they’ll turn out just as crispy and delicious!
How to Serve This Amazing Dish
Here are some ideas on how to serve these crispy macaroni and cheese balls:
What to Serve With This
- Dipping Sauces: Think ranch dressing, marinara sauce, or a spicy buffalo sauce to liven things up!
- Salads: A fresh arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette brings a nice balance to the rich flavors.
- Veggies: Consider serving alongside some roasted veggies, adds color and flavor!
Storage
These delicious bites can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just put them in an airtight container, and they’ll be ready whenever you are!
Reheating Instructions
The best way to reheat these is in the air fryer! Preheat it to 350°F (175°C), then air fry them for about 3-4 minutes until they’re warmed through and crispy again.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze these fried mac and cheese balls! Just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, just take them straight from the freezer and air fry for an extra crispy treat!
In summary, these Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls are not just a hit, they’re a culinary hug! Perfect for busy weeknights or even as a fun snack, you’ll find these little nuggets of joy are pure comfort food that the whole family will rave about. So go ahead, whip up a batch! You’ll be the hero of the dinner table.
Happy cooking, friends! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
Print
Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Quick and easy air fryer fried macaroni and cheese balls, perfect for a family-friendly dinner or snack.
Ingredients
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
- Vegetable oil for spraying
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
- Slowly add the milk while whisking to avoid lumps, then stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan, stirring until melted and combined. Remove from heat and mix with the cooked macaroni.
- Let the mixture cool for 15-20 minutes, then form into balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- In one dish, whisk the egg. In another dish, mix the bread crumbs and panko. Roll each macaroni ball in the egg, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Lightly spray the breaded balls with vegetable oil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Air fry the balls for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the air fryer and let cool slightly before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Try substituting different cheeses or adding vegetables for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 60mg