Frying Cheese In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance due to their ability to quickly cook food with less grease and oil. While air fryers are versatile, not all foods are suitable for cooking in them. One food item that people commonly ask about is cheese.

Cheese can be cooked in an air fryer, but it is not recommended to cook it by itself. Most cheeses have a low melting point, so they will begin to melt before they can get crispy. This can result in a mess of sticky, gooey cheese in the air fryer basket. However, there are some exceptions and ways to successfully cook cheese in an air fryer.

Air fryer grilled cheese sandwich

Ingredients:

• Bread (thick-cut slices of Texas toast, Sara Lee Artesano bread, sourdough bread, multi-grain bread, or leftover artisan bread)
• Cheese (Cheddar is a must, and you can add another melty cheese like Swiss, provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, or Havarti)
• Butter (salted or unsalted) or mayonnaise

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit (or 380 degrees, according to one source).
• Butter one side of each slice of bread.
• Assemble the sandwiches by adding one slice of cheddar cheese to the non-buttered side of the bread. You can also add a slice of your favorite melty cheese for extra flavor.
• Top with another slice of bread, ensuring the buttered sides are facing out. Use a toothpick to secure the sandwich and prevent the bread from flying off during cooking.
• Place the sandwiches in the air fryer basket or on the rack in an even layer. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Air fry at 370 degrees for 2-3 minutes. Check frequently to ensure even cooking and that the top bread slice hasn't blown off.
• Flip the sandwiches and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of brownness.
• Remove the toothpicks and serve.

Tips:

• If you prefer not to use butter, you can spray the top of the bread with oil after placing the sandwich in the air fryer. Spray the other side after flipping.
• For a heartier sandwich, add a thin slice of ham between the two slices of cheese.
• Spread a light layer of mayo or pimento cheese on the insides of the bread for extra flavor.
• If your bread is thin, insert a toothpick in the center of the sandwich to prevent the bread from coming off while cooking.
• For a healthier option, replace butter with a light spray of olive oil.

Air fryer cheese sticks

Ingredients:

• 8 mozzarella cheese strings
• 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese

Method:

• Cut the mozzarella sticks in half.
• Whisk the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water.
• In a separate bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, vegetable oil, and garlic powder.
• Place the flour in a third bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Dip each mozzarella stick into the eggs, then into the flour mixture.
• Dip back into the eggs and then into the breadcrumb mixture.
• Place on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes (or up to 6 months).
• Preheat the air fryer to 390°F.
• Generously spray the mozzarella sticks with oil or cooking spray.
• Place the cheese sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes or until crisp.

Tips:

• It is important to freeze the cheese sticks before cooking, as this allows the crumbs to crisp up without the cheese melting.
• Be sure to preheat the air fryer and keep in mind that air fryers can vary. Check the cheese sticks early, after about 4 minutes. Once you see the cheese starting to bubble, they are ready.
• Breaded, uncooked cheese sticks can be frozen for up to 6 months. Cook them straight from frozen without thawing.
• You can use olive oil instead of vegetable oil.
• If you don't have a large enough baking sheet, you can freeze the cheese sticks in batches.

Air fryer cheese with breading

While it is not recommended to put cheese by itself into an air fryer, there are ways to cook breaded cheese in an air fryer.

Preparation

First, cut a sheet of parchment paper to roughly the size of your air fryer basket and lay it down in the basket. This will make the cleaning process easier in case your cheese oozes out.

Cooking

To cook breaded cheese in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 370-390°F. Breaded cheese should be cooked for 4-6 minutes, or until golden brown.

Cheese

Most cheeses have a low melting point, so it is important to choose a cheese with a high melting point, such as halloumi, feta, or ricotta. These cheeses will have a soft, gooey inside without melting away completely.

Bread

It is recommended to use a sturdy bread that is cut thicker than 1/2 inch, such as sourdough or rustic Italian. This will help the bread stand up to the circulating heat of the air fryer.

Breading

There are many options for breading your cheese. You can use a traditional breading with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, or you can get creative with crushed crackers or chips. You can also add herbs and spices to your breading to give your cheese extra flavor.

Serving

Air fryer breaded cheese can be served as a snack or appetizer, or it can be added to salads, sandwiches, or kebabs. It can also be used as a topping for soups or salads, adding a crispy and salty element.

Air fryer cheese with a natural boat

Air-frying cheese is a great way to get crispy, gooey cheese without the grease and mess of frying in a pan. While it is not recommended to put cheese directly into an air fryer, there are some exceptions and ways to achieve this delicious snack.

One way to enjoy air-fried cheese is to use a natural boat, such as a jalapeño popper, to contain the cheese. This method ensures that the cheese doesn't ooze out and make a mess in your air fryer. Simply fill the jalapeño popper with cheese and air fry until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Another option is to create a boat-shaped dough and fill it with cheese. To make the dough, mix the dry ingredients, and then slowly add in water or milk until a smooth dough forms. Cut the dough into quarters and roll each piece into a 9"-12" disc. Place the dough on a parchment paper-lined air fryer pan and roll up the sides to form a boat shape. Fill the boat with shredded mozzarella, farmers cheese, and feta cheese. Brush the dough with an egg wash and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

If you're looking for a more unique option, try making an air fryer cheesy spaghetti squash boat. Cut a spaghetti squash in half, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Air fry the squash, cut-side down, for 20 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit, then flip and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Use a fork to scrape the inside of the squash to form spaghetti-like strands. Add tomato sauce or marinara sauce, and top with mozzarella cheese. Place back in the air fryer for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and browning.

For a quick and easy option, simply place shredded cheese on a piece of parchment paper in your air fryer basket and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 6-8 minutes, or until the cheese is brown and crispy. This method creates a delicious cheese crisp that can be used as a snack or topping.

When air-frying cheese, it's important to note that most cheeses have a low melting point, so it's best to use a recipe that contains the cheese in some way, such as breaded cheese sticks or grilled cheese sandwiches. It's also recommended to line your air fryer basket with parchment paper for easy cleanup in case of any cheese drippings.

Air fryer cheese with parchment paper

If you want to cook cheese in an air fryer, it's best to use parchment paper to prevent the cheese from sticking to the air fryer basket and to make cleaning up easier. However, it's important to note that not all cheese types are suitable for cooking in an air fryer due to their low melting point.

To cook cheese with parchment paper in an air fryer, follow these steps:

• Cut a sheet of parchment paper to roughly the size of your air fryer basket. Parchment paper is safe to use in the air fryer as long as it's food-grade and oven-safe. Make sure to check the maximum temperature restriction on the parchment paper packaging; it's usually safe up to around 420-450°F (220°C).
• Place the parchment paper in the air fryer basket.
• Add your chosen cheese on top of the parchment paper. A heavy pinch or light handful of shredded cheese should be enough. Cheeses like cheddar work well, and you can also add another melty cheese like Swiss, provolone, or Monterey Jack.
• Air fry at around 400°F (200°C) for about 6-8 minutes, or until the cheese is brown and crispy. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
• Remove the cheese from the air fryer and let it cool down slightly before serving.

Some important things to keep in mind:

• Always weigh down the parchment paper with food. Never put parchment paper in the air fryer by itself, especially during preheating, as it may fly around and come into contact with the heating element.
• Use perforated parchment paper if possible. It improves air circulation, allowing the cheese to cook more evenly and crisp up better.
• Parchment paper is preferable to wax paper, which is not heat-resistant and could catch fire in an air fryer or oven.
• If you don't have parchment paper, you can use aluminum foil or simply spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.

Frequently asked questions