Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Bites

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Turn your leftover mac and cheese into a show-stopping treat with this Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Bites recipe! Featuring a crispy, golden breadcrumb coating and a gooey, cheesy center, these bite-sized delights are perfect for any occasion—whether it’s game day, a family dinner, or a quick snack.

Breaded mac and cheese bites on a white platter in front of an air fryer.

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Chilled leftover mac and cheese (homemade or boxed) is ideal for this recipe, transforming into a unique, crowd-pleasing bite that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Don’t let those leftovers go to waste—turn them into a crispy, cheesy snack that’s guaranteed to impress!

Serve these crispy mac and cheese bites with marinara, ranch dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor. Garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color and watch them disappear in minutes—these little bite-sized appetizers are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike!

If you’re loving the idea of quick and easy air fryer appetizers, be sure to try my Air Fryer Crab Cakes for a flavorful seafood option, or my Air Fryer Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas for a cheesy, kid-friendly favorite. And don’t forget my Air Fryer Onion Rings—crispy, golden, and absolutely irresistible! These recipes are perfect for any occasion and pair beautifully with your mac and cheese bites.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Substitutions & Variations
How to Make Mac and Cheese Bites in an Air Fryer
Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Storage & Freezing Instructions
More Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes You'll Love
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Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Bites

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It’s a creative way to use leftover mac and cheese, whether from a holiday feast or a weeknight dinner.
The air fryer makes the process quick and easy—no need to heat up the oven or spend extra time in the kitchen.
Kids will adore the crispy, golden exterior and gooey, cheesy center, making it a fun and tasty twist on their favorite dish.
Perfect for busy weeknights, game-day gatherings, or party appetizers, these bites are versatile and crowd-pleasing.
This air fryer snack recipe is simple to follow and uses ingredients you likely already have on hand, making it as practical as it is delicious!

Ingredients

Gather the ingredients below to make this easy air fryer recipe!

Mac and cheese, whether it’s boxed macaroni and cheese or homemade style, just needs to be cooked and cooled before using in this dish. Leftover mac and cheese works the best because it’s already cooled and will hold its shape when you form it into balls.
Eggs are used to coat the mac and cheese bites before covering them in breadcrumbs. It’s the perfect adhesive!
Milk, when combined with your eggs, also helps to create the “glue” that holds the breadcrumbs onto your mac and cheese bites.
Panko breadcrumbs are a classic coating that get amazingly crispy when cooked. If you’re a fan of crispy coatings, be sure to check out my Air Fryer 5-Ingredient Lemon Chicken—it’s another simple and delicious dish where Panko breadcrumbs shine! You can even make your own breadcrumbs or opt for gluten-free panko for a customized twist.
Shredded parmesan cheese is mixed with the breading to give these bites a sharp, savory flavor.
Garlic powder enhances the flavor of the breadcrumbs.
Onion powder adds a great, subtle flavor to the bites.
Fresh parsley is used to garnish and add slight freshness and some fancy presentation to your mac and cheese bites.

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions & Variations

Boost the Protein: Mix in chopped cooked bacon, ham, or shredded chicken to add a savory twist and a protein-packed punch.
Veggie Add-Ins: Stir in finely chopped broccoli, diced onions, or bell peppers for added texture, flavor, and a hint of spice.
Turn Up the Heat: For spicy bites, mix chili powder, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes into the mac and cheese or breading.
Extra Cheesy Goodness: Toss in additional shredded cheese—like sharp cheddar, gouda, or Monterey Jack—before forming the bites for an even gooier center.
Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and macaroni to make this recipe accessible to everyone.
Herbaceous Flavor: Add finely chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, chives, or thyme, to the breadcrumb mixture for an herby aroma and taste.
Make It Gourmet: Swap out traditional mac and cheese with truffle mac and cheese or use specialty cheeses like gruyere or brie for a more elevated flavor.
Dipping Sauces: Pair these bites with fun sauces like honey mustard, spicy aioli, or garlic butter for variety.
Kid-Friendly Twist: Sprinkle in a little ranch seasoning for a flavor kids will love or roll the bites in crushed cheese-flavored crackers instead of breadcrumbs for a fun coating.

How to Make Mac and Cheese Bites in an Air Fryer

Once you've gathered all your ingredients, prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper then follow the steps below for this fun mac and cheese appetizer.

Small amount of mac and cheese in a cookie scoop.

Step 1: Using a 1-tablespoon cookie dough scoop, place scoops of mac and cheese on your prepared cookie sheet. Place mac and cheese balls in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Pouring milk into a bowl filled with eggs.

Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk eggs and milk together.

Small bowl filled with Panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Step 3: In another small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir well.

Fingers holding a mac and cheese ball dipped in an egg mixture.

Step 4: Remove the mac and cheese balls from the freezer and dredge them in the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off.

Mac and cheese bite dipped in bread crumbs and shredded cheese.

Step 5: Roll the balls in the bread crumb mixture, covering them completely.

Breaded balls of mac and cheese in the basket of an air fryer.

Step 6: Place each breaded bite into your air fryer basket. Be sure they are not touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do multiple batches.

Mac and cheese bite appetizer air fried to a golden brown in an air fryer basket.

Step 7: Air fry at 350ºF for 10-12 minutes or until breading begins to brown.

Metal spatula holding out a breaded mac and cheese bite.

Step 8: Carefully remove air fried mac and cheese bites from your air fryer and serve with marinara sauce.

Platter filled with Panko-breaded mac and cheese bites in front of a silver air fryer.

Helpful Tips

Freeze for Perfect Shape: Ensure the mac and cheese bites hold their shape by freezing them for at least 30 minutes before breading and air frying.
Don’t Overcrowd: Work in batches if necessary; overcrowding the air fryer can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy bites.
Preheat Your Air Fryer: Preheating ensures even cooking and helps achieve that perfect golden-brown crust.
Use a Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop helps create evenly sized bites, ensuring they cook consistently.
Double Coat for Extra Crunch: If you love an extra-crispy coating, dip the bites in the egg and breadcrumb mixture twice before air frying. For even more inspiration, try my air fryer Double Crunch Chicken Drumsticks—another recipe that’s all about achieving that perfect crunch!
Add Cheese on Top: Sprinkle a little extra shredded parmesan or cheddar on top during the last few minutes of air frying for a cheesy crust.
Check and Flip: Gently flip the bites halfway through cooking for an evenly golden crust.
Keep Warm Between Batches: If making multiple batches, keep the cooked bites warm in a low-temperature oven until all are ready to serve.
Reheating: To reheat leftovers, pop the bites back into the air fryer for a few minutes to revive their crispy texture.

Mac and cheese filled balls on a white platter in front of an air fryer.

Recipe FAQs

Why are the mac and cheese balls falling apart?

If your mac and cheese balls are falling apart, they may not be cold enough—try freezing them for another 15-30 minutes. Ensure the mixture is moist and cheesy enough to bind and pack the balls firmly when shaping. Coat them thoroughly with breadcrumbs to help them hold together during the air frying process.

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

It depends on your air fryer and how hot it cooks—some models require preheating for even results, while others don’t. You may need to experiment to see what works best for your specific air fryer.

How can I make air fryer mac and cheese bites extra crispy?

If you’re a fan of a super crispy, crunchy breadcrumb coating, you’ll want to be sure to spray them with a nonstick cooking spray before cooking. Also, be sure to space them apart in the air fryer so that they’re not touching while they cook.

What kind of mac and cheese works best for these bites?

This recipe will work best with a mac and cheese made with a thicker cheese sauce, but boxed mac and cheese can be used as well. If your mac and cheese isn’t firm enough to form into balls or hold its shape, you can add more shredded cheese or put them in the freezer for an extra 30 minutes.

Can I bake mac and cheese bites instead of air frying them?

Yes, bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Can I make these bites ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble and freeze them ahead of time, then bread and air fry them when ready to serve.

Fingers dipping a mac and cheese ball into a small white bowl of marinara sauce.

Storage & Freezing Instructions

Storage Instructions

To store the crispy mac and cheese bites, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Then, to reheat them, just preheat your air fryer to 350ºF and cook for 3-5 minutes or until they are crisp and warm.

Freezing Instructions

These bites can be frozen prior to air frying them. Just place the bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in the freezer for about an hour, and then transfer them into a freezer safe bag where they’ll last for up to 3 months. Then, when you’re ready to bake them, just bake them frozen and add a couple extra minutes onto your cook time.