Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Bites
Transform leftover mac and cheese into crispy, golden bites with this easy air fryer recipe—perfect for snacks, appetizers, or party favorites!
Servings: 30 bites
Calories: 125kcal
Ingredients
- 4 cups mac and cheese leftover works best
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Garnish with fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- Using a 1-tablespoon cookie dough scoop, place scoops of mac and cheese on your prepared cookie sheet. Be sure to pack the scoop full, pressing firmly.
- Place mac and cheese balls in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk eggs and milk together.
- In another small bowl, combine panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir well.
- Remove mac and cheese balls from the freezer. Dredge each ball in egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Next, roll the balls in the bread crumb mixture, covering them completely.
- 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.
- Air fry at 350ºF for 10-12 minutes or until breading begins to brown.
- Carefully remove air fried mac and cheese bites from your air fryer and serve with marinara sauce.
Notes
- 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.
- 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.
Nutrition
Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 365mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 31IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg