Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls are the ultimate cheesy comfort food! These tiny bites of cheesy goodness are crispy on the outside and soft and cheesy on the inside. Just imagine your favorite side as finger food – brilliant! And it’s a fantastic way to use up leftover mac and cheese too!

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Easy Air Fryer Appetizers

I get more use out of my air fryer than any other small appliance in my kitchen. I love how quick and easy it makes whipping up delicious appetizers for family gatherings, game nights, and parties. Plus they give you that crispy, crunchy goodness you crave, without all the excess oil and mess.

From classic favorites like crispy Air Fryer Ravioli and Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers to inventive ones like Air Fryer Pizza Bites and Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, the air fryer is a game-changer. The best part? You can enjoy all these crispy bites with little to no effort. It's appetizer perfection with a side of convenience!

Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls Recipe

Your favorite mac and cheese side as finger food!

It's the tastiest way to use up leftover mac and cheese.

Lots of ooey, gooey cheesy goodness!

Crispy on the outside and cheesy goodness on the inside. What more could you want?

So easy to make with homemade or boxed mac and cheese.

Clean-up is a breeze! No messy oil and splattered stovetop.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make mac and cheese balls. The exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.

• Cold leftover mac and cheese
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Large eggs
• Italian seasoned panko
• Garlic powder - dry seasonings are used so it blends easily with the panko
• Smoked paprika
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnishing

Best Mac and Cheese for Making Balls

You can use any type of mac and cheese to make the balls. It can be homemade or store-bought. Kraft, Stouffers, or any boxed or frozen mac n cheese is fine. See my Four Cheese Mac and Cheese recipe that would be great for making these balls. You can also use cauliflower mac and cheese or this easy Southern Baked Mac and Cheese.

The important part is that it must be completely cold, as in refrigerated cold, and not a room temperature. The cheese sauce must be solidified enough to hold the balls together.

The best is leftover mac and cheese that was refrigerated overnight.

You can make mac and cheese, but you'll need to allow plenty of cooling and chilling time. In addition to the time for cooking mac and cheese, it would take about 1 hour to cool to room temperature and then 4 or 5 hours to get it fully cold in the fridge.

How to Make Mac and Cheese Balls in Air Fryer

Here are the steps for making these tasty mac and cheese bites:

1. After mixing mac and cheese with the additional cheese, refrigerate the mixture overnight. Scoop the cold mixture into 2" balls. Freeze for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the eggs by whisking in a wide-mouthed bowl and place panko and seasonings on a flat plate.
3. Dip each mac and cheese ball into whisked egg.
4. Place in panko mixture and roll around to coat. Pat lightly to help it adhere, if necessary.

5. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Spray the basket then carefully place the mac and cheese balls in the bottom. Leave space around each one so that it cooks evenly. You may have to do them in batches.
6. Air fry for 5-6 minutes, turn them over, spray the tops again, and air fry for another 6 minutes or until toasty and brown.

Serve hot garnished with parsley and a side of your favorite dipping sauce and I promise they'll be the most popular appetizer at your party. They're also great as a side dish to have with burgers, hot dogs, or fried chicken. Enjoy!

Alternate Cooking Methods

• Baked Mac and Cheese Balls - Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated 425°F oven for 16 minutes, flipping the balls over halfway through.
• Fried Mac and Cheese Balls - Heat a large skillet with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the balls to the hot skillet and cook them for about 4 minutes or until evenly golden and crispy. Turn them while frying to brown all over. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Deep Fried Mac and Cheese Balls - Heat at least 3 inches of oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F. Carefully lower the balls into the hot oil and fry until crispy and golden brown, about 3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

You may need to fry or deep fry in batches. You do not want to overcrowd the skillet or fryer or the balls won't cook evenly or crisp up as they should.

Recipe Variations

It's easy to make these heartier, with a different flavor, or to suit your taste and preferences. Here are some ideas:

• Bacon Mac and Cheese Balls - Add ½ cup of crispy cooked bacon pieces.
• Buffalo Mac and Cheese Balls - Takes preplanning! Make mac and cheese with ¼ cup of Frank Red Hot sauce added to the cheese sauce. Also, mix ¼ cup of the hot sauce into the beaten egg for dredging.
• Chicken Mac and Cheese Balls - Add some cooked and diced chicken.
• Gluten Free Mac and Cheese Balls - Use gluten-free mac and cheese and a gluten-free panko substitute.
• Hot Cheetos Mac and Cheese Balls - Crush Flamin Hot Cheetos in a food processor. Use this instead of panko for the breading.
• Lobster Mac and Cheese Balls - Add some cooked lobster.
• Mac and Cheese Balls without Breadcrumbs - Use crushed pork rinds instead of panko.
• Spicy Mac and Cheese Balls - Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or several dashes of your favorite hot sauce. Tabasco is a good choice. You can also add some diced jalapeno peppers.
• Truffle Mac and Cheese Balls - Stir in 1 or 2 teaspoons of truffle oil.

What to Serve with Mac and Cheese Balls

Looking for a good mac and cheese balls dipping sauce? Here are some suggestions:

• BBQ Sauce
• Blue Cheese Dressing
• Honey Mustard
• Ketchup
• Marinara Sauce
• Ranch Dressing
• Salsa
• Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

Leftover air-fried mac and cheese balls can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

You can freeze mac and cheese balls that have not been air-fried. To do this, place the breaded mac and cheese balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in the freezer for one hour or until firm. Transfer the frozen balls to a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to make them, follow the instructions provided for the air fryer, adding a few extra minutes of cooking time because they will be frozen.

To Reheat:

• In the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes
• In the oven at 375°F for 5 to 7 minutes
• In the microwave for about 45 seconds (but not recommended for reheating them)

More Air Fryer Recipes

These are great finger foods you can make in an air fryer:

• Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs
• Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
• Air Fryer Veggie Egg Rolls
• Air Fryer Onion Rings
• Air Fryer Quesadilla

Find lots of quick and easy air fryer recipes right here on 2CM!

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