Air-Fryer Cheese Curds: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a great way to make cheese curds without using too much oil. The process involves coating the cheese curds in a batter of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, before air frying them to create a crispy, crunchy, and melty snack. This method is healthier than deep frying and can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. The air fryer temperature should be set to around 350°F (175°C) for best results, and the curds should be cooked for around 4-8 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness.

Pre-frying preparation

Before you start frying your cheese curds, there are a few important steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare your cheese curds for air frying:

Gather Your Ingredients and Tools

First, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients and tools. For this recipe, you will need cheese curds, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, spices, and oil spray. You will also need three small bowls for dipping, a fork for stirring, and an air fryer basket.

Prepare the Breading Station

Set out your three bowls and prepare the breading mixtures. Place the flour in the first bowl, this will be your initial coating. In the second bowl, crack and whisk the eggs, which will act as a binder. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and your desired spices. Common spice choices include garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, but you can also add Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning for extra flavour. Mix the ingredients in the third bowl well to ensure an even coating.

Coat the Cheese Curds

Take your cheese curds out of the refrigerator. Working in small batches, start by dunking the cheese curds in the flour, stirring to ensure they are well coated. Then, dunk the floured cheese curds in the egg, using a fork to ensure they are thoroughly coated and allowing the egg to saturate the flour. You can let the cheese curds soak in the egg for a bit to help with this. Finally, roll the curds in the prepared breadcrumb mixture. Check each curd, and if you see any gaps in the breading, re-dunk them in the egg and then back into the breadcrumbs. Repeat this process until all your cheese curds are coated.

Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Before adding the cheese curds, it is important to prepare your air fryer basket. Use an air fryer liner or spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent the cheese curds from sticking. This step will also help you achieve a crispy finish.

Arrange the Cheese Curds in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the coated cheese curds in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch each other. Leave space between them to allow for even air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the cheese curds in batches to avoid overcrowding. Lightly spray the tops of the cheese curds with cooking spray to help them brown evenly.

Now that your cheese curds are prepared and arranged in the air fryer basket, you are ready to start frying! Follow the recommended cooking instructions for your desired level of crispiness and enjoy your delicious, golden, and gooey air-fried cheese curds.

Air fryer temperature

The optimal temperature for cooking cheese curds in an air fryer is 350°F (175°C). This temperature ensures that the curds become crispy without experiencing excessive cheese leakage.

Some recipes suggest cooking at 400°F, but this higher temperature increases the likelihood of cheese leakage.

When reheating cheese curds, a lower temperature of 350°F is recommended, and this should be maintained for 3-4 minutes.

It is important to preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature before adding the cheese curds. This ensures even cooking and helps to achieve the desired crispiness.

Coating the curds

The coating is a three-step process: flour, egg, and then breadcrumbs. First, prepare three bowls. One with plain flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. You can use regular flour or gluten-free flour, depending on your preference. For the breadcrumbs, you can use regular, unseasoned, or panko breadcrumbs. If you want to spice up your curds, add smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper to the breadcrumbs.

Take your cheese curds and toss them in the flour, making sure they are coated evenly. Then, dip the floured curds in the egg, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, roll the curds in the breadcrumbs until they are fully coated. Check each curd, and if you see any gaps in the breading, repeat the process. The thicker the breading, the less likely they are to leak when frying.

Some recipes suggest double-dunking the curds in the egg and breadcrumbs to create an extra thick coating. You can also freeze the curds after breading to help the coating crisp up before the cheese melts.

Frying the curds

To fry the curds, first, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Then, prepare the air fryer basket by spraying it with cooking spray or lining it with an air fryer liner to prevent the cheese curds from sticking. Place the coated cheese curds in a single layer inside the basket, ensuring they do not touch each other.

For crispy cheese curds, fry them for 4 to 8 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Keep an eye on them as they cook to ensure they don't overcook. Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and gently shake the basket or use tongs to turn the cheese curds, ensuring they fry evenly.

Once the cheese curds are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and place them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Allow them to cool briefly before serving as they will be very hot. Enjoy your homemade cheese curds as they are or with your favourite dipping sauce!

Serving suggestions

Air fryer cheese curds make a great appetizer, side dish, or snack. They are best served hot and can be paired with a variety of sauces for dipping.

Some popular sauce options include:

• Blue cheese or ranch dressing
• Marinara sauce
• Buffalo sauce
• Honey mustard
• Peri peri sauce
• Southern comeback sauce
• Creamy pesto sauce

You can also serve cheese curds as part of a dish, such as on top of French fries for a classic dish called "poutine."

Frequently asked questions