Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls

These air fryer mac and cheese bites are coated with seasoned bread crumbs, then fried until golden and crisp for an appetizer everyone will love.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 87 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 tablespoons margarine
• nonstick cooking spray
• 1 (7.25 ounce) package macaroni and cheese dinner mix (such as Kraft®)
• 0.25 cup milk
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 0.5 cup panko bread crumbs
• 0.75 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Cook in the preheated air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes. Turn over and fry until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes more.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Cook macaroni pasta from the dinner package in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain; do not rinse. Return pasta to the pot.

Step 3

Stir cheese sauce from the dinner package, milk, and margarine into pasta. Mix in Cheddar cheese until well combined and cheese is melted. Transfer macaroni and cheese to a bowl and refrigerate until firm, 2 hours to overnight.

Step 4

Scoop chilled macaroni and cheese into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 1 hour.

Step 5

Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions. Spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 6

Place beaten eggs in a bowl. Mix together panko, bread crumbs, salt, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl.

Step 7

Dip each frozen macaroni and cheese ball in beaten eggs, then press in bread crumb mixture to coat. Place coated balls into the prepared air fryer basket in a single layer with space between; cook in batches if necessary.