Air Fryer Cheese Crisps: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers have become a kitchen staple in recent years, and it turns out they're not just for cooking salmon, tofu, or orange slices. You can also use them to make cheese crisps. Cheese crisps are incredibly easy to make in an air fryer, and they're perfect for adding to soups, salads, or scrambled eggs. The heated circulation in air fryers facilitates even cooking for consistent texture and flavour, so you won't end up with a batch of half-cooked cheese crisps. However, some cheeses won't work for this air-fried finger food. Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, feta, or ricotta, which contain more moisture, may not be suitable for achieving a proper crunch. A firm, low-moisture cheese is your best bet for high-quality cheese crisps. Parmesan, cheddar, and Gruyère are great selections for ultra-crunchy cheese crisps.

The difference between making cheese crisps in an air fryer and an oven

Cheese crisps are incredibly easy to make in an air fryer and are perfect for adding to soups, salads, scrambled eggs, or just to enjoy as a snack throughout the day.

The main difference between making cheese crisps in an air fryer and an oven is the cooking time. Air fryers work twice as fast as conventional ovens, which makes them ideal for making cheese crisps in a flash. The heated circulation in air fryers facilitates even cooking for consistent texture and flavour, so you won't end up with a batch of half-cooked cheese crisps.

The type of cheese you choose for this crunchy snack also determines the flavour, texture, and overall vibe of the cheese crisps. A firm, low-moisture cheese is your best bet for high-quality cheese crisps. Parmesan, cheddar, and Gruyère are great selections for ultra-crunchy cheese crisps. Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, feta, or ricotta, which contain more moisture, may not be suitable for achieving a proper crunch.

Whether you make cheese crisps from shredded or whole slices of cheese is ultimately up to you. If you opt for shredded cheese, arrange the shreds closely together and lay them flat. Avoid stacking the shreds too heavily to prevent uneven cooking. Because shredded cheese is thinner, it might cook faster, so you may need to cook the crisps for a shorter period to prevent burning. A general guideline for cooking time and temperature for cheese crisps is about five minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can always open up the air fryer basket for a quick eye test to ensure they're not under or overcooked.

The best cheeses to use for cheese crisps

Cheese crisps are incredibly easy to make in an air fryer, but the cheese you choose for this crunchy snack determines the flavour, texture, and overall vibe of the cheese crisps.

A firm, low-moisture cheese is your best bet for high-quality cheese crisps. Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, feta, or ricotta, which contain more moisture, may not be suitable for achieving a proper crunch.

Parmesan is a great choice for cheese crisps as it is more likely to come out crispy and is saltier than many other cheeses. Cheddar is another popular option, but it can sometimes come out a little bendy. Other good options include Red Leicester, Gruyère, gouda, edam, and Monterey jack.

How to cook cheese crisps in an air fryer

Cheese crisps are incredibly easy to make in an air fryer. They are perfect for adding to soups, salads, scrambled eggs, or just to enjoy as a snack throughout the day.

The cheese you choose for this crunchy snack determines the flavour, texture, and overall vibe of the cheese crisp. A firm, low-moisture cheese is your best bet for high-quality cheese crisps. Parmesan, cheddar, and Gruyère are great selections for ultra-crunchy cheese crisps. Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, feta, or ricotta, which contain more moisture, may not be suitable for achieving a proper crunch.

Whether you make cheese crisps from shredded or whole slices of cheese is ultimately up to you. If you opt for shredded cheese, arrange the shreds closely together and lay them flat. Avoid stacking the shreds too heavily to prevent uneven cooking. Because shredded cheese is thinner, it might cook faster, so you may need to cook the crisps for a shorter period to prevent burning. A general guideline for cooking time and temperature for cheese crisps is about five minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can always open up the air fryer basket for a quick eye test to ensure they're not under or overcooked.

How to avoid uneven cooking

Air fryers are great for cooking cheese crisps, as they work twice as fast as conventional ovens and facilitate even cooking for consistent texture and flavour. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid uneven cooking:

Firstly, if you're using shredded cheese, arrange the shreds closely together and lay them flat. Avoid stacking the shreds too heavily, as this can lead to uneven cooking. Shredded cheese is thinner and may cook faster, so you might need to reduce the cooking time to prevent burning. A general guideline is to cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about five minutes, but you can always open the air fryer basket to check that your crisps aren't under or overcooked.

Secondly, the type of cheese you use matters. Opt for a firm, low-moisture cheese like Parmesan, cheddar, or Gruyère for ultra-crunchy cheese crisps. Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, feta, or ricotta contain more moisture and may not crisp up properly.

What to eat cheese crisps with

Yes, you can cook cheese crisps in an air fryer. Cheese crisps are incredibly easy to make in an air fryer and are perfect for adding to soups, salads, scrambled eggs, or just to enjoy as a snack throughout the day.

When making cheese crisps, you can use shredded or whole slices of cheese. If you opt for shredded cheese, arrange the shreds closely together and lay them flat. Avoid stacking the shreds too heavily to prevent uneven cooking. A general guideline for cooking time and temperature for cheese crisps is about five minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

The cheese you choose for this crunchy snack determines the flavour, texture, and overall vibe of the cheese crisps. A firm, low-moisture cheese is your best bet for high-quality cheese crisps. Parmesan, cheddar, Gruyère, Asiago, pecorino romano, and aged mozzarella are great selections for ultra-crunchy cheese crisps. Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, feta, or ricotta, which contain more moisture, may not be suitable for achieving a proper crunch.

Cheese crisps are a great snack on their own, but they can also be served with salsa and guacamole. They can also be used as a crunchy garnish or as an alternative to croutons.

Frequently asked questions