Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls
Crispy air fryer macaroni and cheese balls, stuffed with creamy macaroni, perfect for snacking or appetizers.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 cup elbow macaroni Cook according to package instructions
- 2 tablespoons butter For making the roux
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour Used in the roux
- 1.25 cups milk To create the cheese sauce
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Coating
- 1 large egg Beaten for breading
- 0.5 cup bread crumbs
- 0.5 cup panko bread crumbs
- 0.25 cup all-purpose flour For breading
- Vegetable oil for spraying To lightly coat the balls
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the melted butter and whisk for about 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
- Slowly pour in 1 1/4 cups of milk while whisking to avoid lumps.
- Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, whisking until smooth.
- Allow the mixture to simmer for 3-4 minutes, until it thickens slightly.
- Stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and mix in the cooked elbow macaroni, coating the pasta with the cheese sauce.
- Let it cool for 15-20 minutes.
- Scoop small portions and form them into ball shapes.
- Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Breading and Cooking
- In a shallow dish, beat the egg.
- In another dish, mix the bread crumbs and panko.
- Roll each macaroni ball in the egg, then coat with the breadcrumbs.
- Place the breaded balls back on the baking sheet.
- Spray each lightly with vegetable oil.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange the macaroni balls in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the air fryer and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
These delicious cheese balls are perfect for parties or as a game day snack. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes to get them crispy again.