Best 2 Air Fryer Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

Air fryer macaroni and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This dish is a great way to use up leftover macaroni and cheese, or it can be made from scratch using your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe. The air fryer cooks the macaroni and cheese quickly and evenly, resulting in a crispy, golden brown crust on the outside and a creamy, cheesy interior. With just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of cooking time, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

Let's cook with our recipes!

AIR FRYER MAC AND CHEESE BALLS

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls image

These little mac and cheese balls make great little appetizers or finger food. Kids love them!

Provided by Yoly

Categories Appetizers and Snacks Pasta Appetizer Recipes

Time 3h25m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

6 cups water
1 (7.25 ounce) package macaroni and cheese dinner mix (such as Kraft®)
¼ cup milk
4 tablespoons margarine
¾ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
nonstick cooking spray
½ cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 eggs, beaten

Steps:

Pour water into a bowl and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in macaroni pasta from dinner package. Cook until tender, stirring occasionally, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain; do not rinse. Return to the pot and stir in included cheese sauce, milk, and margarine. Add Cheddar cheese and stir until well combined and cheese is melted.
Refrigerate macaroni and cheese until firm, 2 hours to overnight.
Scoop macaroni and cheese into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Freeze for 1 hour.
Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions. Spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
Mix panko, bread crumbs, salt, and garlic powder together in a medium bowl. Dip each ball in beaten eggs and then in panko mixture.
Place mac and cheese balls into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching; cook in batches if necessary.
Cook in the preheated air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes. Turn over and fry until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 87.2 calories, Carbohydrate 9.3 g, Cholesterol 21.4 mg, Fat 4.2 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 3.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 227.4 mg, Sugar 1.2 g

AIR FRYER MAC AND CHEESE WITH BACON

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese with Bacon image

I made this air fryer mac 'n' cheese to go with my leftover smoked pot roast! It is now the only way I'm making mac 'n' cheese. This makes about 4 servings and it was so good!

Provided by Ash's In The Kitchen

Categories Macaroni and Cheese

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 ½ cups elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons bacon grease
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon flour
1 ½ cups milk
1 tablespoon crumbled cooked bacon
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
¼ cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ grated Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
¼ cup ricotta cheese
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
olive oil cooking spray

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until almost firm to the bite, about 6 minutes. Drain.
Meanwhile, melt bacon grease in a small cast iron skillet that fits in your air fryer over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir flour into the hot bacon grease until golden brown, making a roux. Slowly whisk in milk and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in bacon and Italian herbs. Mix in Cheddar, Parmesan, Colby-Monterey Jack, and ricotta cheeses, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until cheese has melted, about 3 minutes.
Preheat an air fryer to 390 degrees F (195 degrees C).
Fold pasta into the cheese sauce and top with bread crumbs. Spritz with olive oil and pat down to minimize fly-away crumbs.
Air-fry until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling up at the edge of the skillet, about 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 464.6 calories, Carbohydrate 58.9 g, Cholesterol 33.8 mg, Fat 16.5 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 18.8 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 322.4 mg

Tips:

Use the right pasta: Small, sturdy pasta shapes like macaroni, shells, or penne work best in air fryer macaroni and cheese. Avoid delicate pasta like angel hair or spaghetti, as they may overcook and become mushy.
Cook the pasta al dente: The pasta should be cooked to al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming overcooked and mushy in the air fryer.
Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will greatly affect the flavor of your macaroni and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a bold flavor, or a milder cheese like mozzarella or Gruyère for a more subtle flavor.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Be sure to leave enough space between the pieces of pasta so that they cook evenly. Overcrowding the air fryer will result in uneven cooking.
Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking: This will help to ensure that the pasta cooks evenly and prevents it from sticking to the basket.

Conclusion:

Air fryer macaroni and cheese is a quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love. With just a few simple ingredients and your air fryer, you can have a delicious and cheesy pasta dish on the table in no time. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give air fryer macaroni and cheese a try!