Air Fryer Mac And Cheese Bites: Fast And Easy!

Air fryer mac and cheese bites are a delicious snack that can be made from scratch or store-bought. They are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, making them a perfect appetizer, side dish, or snack. The bites can be made in an air fryer from frozen, which is a quicker and healthier alternative to deep-frying or baking in the oven. The cooking time for frozen mac and cheese bites in an air fryer is typically around 7 to 12 minutes, depending on the size of the bites and the power of the air fryer.

Air fryer temperature and time

The air fryer temperature and time will depend on the size of your mac and cheese bites and the brand of your air fryer.

If you are using the Cosori air fryer, you can cook frozen mac and cheese bites at 180°C/360°F for 7 minutes. If you want to make them crispier, you can add some extra virgin olive oil spray and increase the temperature to 200°C/400°F for the last 2 minutes.

For other air fryer brands, the recommended temperature is 355°F/180°C for 8 to 12 minutes. Some recipes suggest cooking at 390°F for 8 minutes, while others suggest 375°F for 6 to 8 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your mac and cheese bites and the power of your air fryer. It is recommended to start with less time and add a couple of minutes if needed. Additionally, some air fryers require food to be turned halfway through cooking, so be sure to check your manual.

How to store and reheat leftovers

To store leftover mac and cheese bites, let them cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container. They can be kept in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze the bites for up to two months.

To reheat the bites, you can use an air fryer, a microwave, a stovetop, or an oven/toaster oven. If you're reheating a large batch, it's best to use an oven or toaster oven. For smaller amounts, the microwave or stovetop is ideal.

When reheating, it's a good idea to add some moisture to the mac and cheese to prevent it from drying out. Stir in 1 tablespoon of milk for every 1 cup of mac and cheese. You can also add a little butter and shredded cheese for extra creaminess.

Air Fryer:

Place the bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket and reheat for 3-4 minutes at 355°F/180°C until warmed through.

Microwave:

Stir in the milk, then spread the mac and cheese bites in an even layer in a shallow, microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe plate or a damp paper towel. Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute, then stir and continue to microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each increment, until warmed through.

Stovetop:

Break up any large clumps of mac and cheese and place them in a saucepan. Stir in the milk. Cook over medium or medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can keep the saucepan covered for the first few minutes if you're reheating multiple servings.

Oven or Toaster Oven:

Place the mac and cheese bites in a baking dish and drizzle milk down the sides. If your mac and cheese has a crispy topping, place it directly in the baking dish without stirring in the milk. Cover the dish with an oven-safe lid or aluminum foil. Bake in a 350°F oven or toaster oven until warmed through, checking after 20 minutes (or 40 minutes if frozen). If you want a crispy top, uncover the dish, sprinkle with the crispy topping or shredded cheese, and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

How to make mac and cheese balls

Ingredients

• Macaroni
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, Monterey Jack, or a mix of your choice)
• Butter
• Milk
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
• Spices (garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, salt, and pepper)
• Olive oil or vegetable oil for frying

Optional Ingredients

• Bacon
• Bacon grease
• Flour

Method

First, prepare a boxed mac and cheese mix according to the package instructions. You can add extra cheese to make the mixture gooier, if desired. Transfer the mac and cheese to a bowl and place it in the fridge to chill for at least four hours or overnight.

Once the mac and cheese is chilled, use an ice cream scoop or your hands to form the mixture into balls. Place the mac and cheese balls on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for about an hour to set.

Next, prepare your breading station. Beat a couple of eggs in one bowl and mix the breadcrumbs with garlic powder in another bowl. Dip the frozen mac and cheese balls in the egg, then the breadcrumbs, and repeat for a double layer of breadcrumbs.

Finally, heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the mac and cheese balls in small batches until golden brown, which should take around 3-8 minutes. Drain the mac and cheese balls on a paper towel and serve hot.

Tips

• You can add bacon and bacon grease to your mac and cheese mixture for a smokier flavour.
• If you don't have an ice cream scoop, you can use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to portion out the mac and cheese mixture.
• Make sure your oil is at the correct temperature before frying, to avoid greasy mac and cheese balls or burning them.
• You can also bake the mac and cheese balls in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes, or air fry them at 360°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes.

What to serve with mac and cheese bites

Mac and cheese bites are a delicious snack, but what should you serve with them? Here are some ideas to elevate your meal or snack and make it even more enjoyable:

Dipping Sauces

The crispy exterior and gooey interior of mac and cheese bites make them perfect for dipping. You can serve them with a variety of sauces, such as:

• BBQ sauce
• Fry sauce
• Aioli
• Queso
• Blue cheese dressing
• Buffalo sauce
• Homemade ranch dressing
• Thousand island dressing
• Hot sauce
• Marinara sauce

Main Course Options

Mac and cheese bites can also be served as a side dish to complement a variety of main courses. Here are some ideas:

• Burgers
• Fish, such as an easy tilapia fish sandwich
• Chicken, like breaded chicken tenders or oven-fried crispy baked chicken

Toppings and Extras

To take your mac and cheese bites to the next level, consider adding some toppings or extras:

• Bacon
• Lobster
• Sausage
• Ham
• Bell peppers
• Creole seasoning
• Cayenne pepper
• Smoked gouda
• Spices like onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt

Drinks

And, of course, don't forget the drinks! Here are some beverage options that might pair well with your mac and cheese bites:

• Beer
• Cider
• Wine
• Cocktails

So, there you have it! Plenty of ideas to elevate your mac and cheese bites and make your meal or snack even more enjoyable. Happy eating!

Recommended air fryer products

Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer

This air fryer is our best overall pick. It has a user-friendly interface, a reasonable price, and offers the strongest cooking results of any machine we've tested. It's quiet, has a non-stick interior, and is very consistent and accurate. The wide, square-shaped basket can accommodate batches of fries or wings without overcrowding. The only downsides are that it's slow to preheat and lacks smart functions.

COSORI TurboBlaze Air Fryer

This is our best value air fryer. It's a compact and powerful machine with lots of functions at a well-below-average price. It includes additional cooking functions, such as a special mode for cooking frozen foods, and keep warm and proof settings. It's also very easy to clean as the basket and crisper plate are dishwasher-safe. However, it struggles to achieve the same level of crispness as other air fryers.

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer

This is our best splurge air fryer. This huge combination toaster oven/air fryer has smart sensors and heating elements for perfect cooking every time. It's able to "fry" up crisp Buffalo wings or French fries, toast six slices of bread, bake a 13-inch pizza, or even roast a whole chicken. It's also smart, with heating elements that sense the interior temperature and adjust their strength to eliminate hot and cold spots. However, it's a big investment and takes up a lot of counter space.

Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer

This is our best small air fryer. This small air fryer outperformed every other air fryer in our tests with six different foods. It's perfectly non-stick for easy cleanup, quiet while running, and has a compact footprint, making it easy to store. It's a smart pick for solo cooks and apartment dwellers. The only downside is that it has only four modes and can't hold more than about two servings of food at a time.

Ninja DZ071 Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer

This is our best dual-zone air fryer. With this clever dual-basket air fryer, you can cook two different items at two different temperatures at the same time. It also has a versatile design, with baskets that can be used separately or combined into one 7-quart basket. Our tests found that it worked well on chicken wings and hand-cut fries. However, it lacks somewhat in temperature control, with both baskets varying from their set temperature by a wider margin than other models.

Frequently asked questions