Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls
Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls are the ultimate comfort food - crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. Your favorite side as finger food - brilliant!
Servings: 20 balls
Calories: 200kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups leftover mac and cheese or use a boxed kind such as Kraft macaroni & cheese (7.25 ounce) cooked per directions
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded (to mix with warm mac and cheese)
- 2 large eggs whisked
- 1 cup Italian seasoned panko or plain panko with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning added
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Garnish: chopped parsley
Instructions
- Mix the macaroni and cheese with the cup of shredded cheese while it is still hot, then chill it in the refrigerator overnight.
- Scoop the mixture into 2-inch balls with a cookie or ice cream scoop then form into balls using your hands.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 30 minutes. The mac & cheese balls should be firm but not frozen.
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F then spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
- Make an assembly line to prepare mac and cheese balls. Whisk the eggs in a wide-mouthed bowl and combine the panko, salt, garlic powder and paprika on a flat plate.
- Now, remove the balls from the freezer and dip each in the beaten eggs, then roll in the panko mixture, patting to coat, until covered completely.
- Place panko-coated balls into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Allow some space between them so they cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may have to cook them in batches.
- Spray the tops with cooking oil spray then air fry for 5-6 minutes. Turn them over and air fry another 6 minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition
Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 486mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 0.002mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 1mg
