Air Fryer Cheese Curds: The Perfect Timing

Air fryer cheese curds are a quick and easy snack that can be made in a matter of minutes. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried cheese curds as they require less oil and are cooked more rapidly. The cooking time for cheese curds in an air fryer varies depending on the desired level of crispiness and the temperature used, but on average, they take around 4 to 8 minutes to cook. The key to achieving the perfect cheese curds is to ensure they are cooked evenly and do not stick to the air fryer basket. This can be done by using a cooking spray or lining the basket with parchment paper.

Cooking Cheese Curds in an Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cheese curd-making process. While some sources claim that preheating an air fryer is unnecessary, as it heats up in a matter of seconds, others emphasize the importance of preheating to ensure even cooking and to achieve the desired crispiness. Therefore, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350°F (175°C) and 400°F, depending on your preference and the specific recipe you are following. This temperature range will help you achieve the perfect balance between a crispy coating and melted cheese that doesn't leak out of the batter.

When preheating your air fryer, it is advisable to use an air fryer liner or parchment paper to line the basket. This will not only help to contain any potential cheese leakage but also make cleanup easier. Additionally, you can spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or use any oil with a high smoke point to prevent the cheese curds from sticking and to promote even browning.

The preheating time for your air fryer may vary depending on the model and brand. However, most air fryers heat up relatively quickly, so you won't have to wait long before adding your cheese curds. It is important to ensure that your air fryer has reached the desired temperature before adding the cheese curds to ensure even cooking and the best possible results.

While preheating, you can prepare your cheese curds by coating them with a layer of flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs or Panko. This three-step battering process will create a crispy, golden-brown coating on your cheese curds. You can also add spices like smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper to the breadcrumbs for an extra kick.

Once your air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature, you can carefully place the battered cheese curds into the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between them for even air circulation. Depending on the recipe and the desired level of crispiness, you will then fry the cheese curds for 4 to 8 minutes, occasionally shaking the basket or turning the curds to ensure even frying.

Use cooking spray

To cook cheese curds in an air fryer, you'll want to use cooking spray to prevent the cheese curds from sticking to the air fryer basket and to help achieve a golden colour. You can use any oil with a high smoke point in spray form.

First, cut the cheese into 1/2" cubes. Then, dip each cheese curd into an egg wash and let any excess drip off. Next, roll the curds in breadcrumbs, ensuring they are evenly coated. Set the coated curds aside and repeat with any remaining curds.

Now, you'll want to use an air fryer parchment liner or spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the cheese curds in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between them for even air circulation. Lightly spray the cheese curds with cooking spray to help them brown.

Finally, fry the curds for 4 to 8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Halfway through, open the air fryer and gently shake the basket or use tongs to turn the cheese curds, ensuring they get an even fry.

Note that it is not necessary to preheat your air fryer, as it heats up in a matter of seconds. However, if you are cooking frozen curds, preheat the fryer to 400°F and cook for 5-6 minutes.

Cook for 4-8 minutes

Air fryer cheese curds are a quick and easy treat to make, with a cooking time of just 4 to 8 minutes. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried cheese curds, and you can make them in a few simple steps. First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). This is an important step to ensure your curds cook evenly and become crispy. You can also use this time to prepare a lining for your air fryer basket, such as an air fryer liner or cooking spray, to prevent the cheese curds from sticking and help achieve a golden colour.

Next, prepare your cheese curds. You can cut them into cubes and toss them with melted ghee, or you can dip them in egg wash and roll them in breadcrumbs for a crispy coating. If you're using frozen cheese curds, simply lay them out in a single layer in the air fryer basket, breaking up any frozen blocks.

Now it's time to cook your cheese curds! Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them for even air circulation. Depending on the recipe and your desired level of crispiness, you'll cook the cheese curds for 4 to 8 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as they can go from golden and crispy to burnt quite quickly! At the halfway mark, open the air fryer and gently shake the basket or use tongs to turn the cheese curds, ensuring they fry evenly.

Finally, serve your cheese curds hot with your favourite dipping sauces. Some popular options include blue cheese, ranch dressing, marinara sauce, buffalo sauce, and pesto sauce. Enjoy your delicious and gooey air-fried cheese curds!

Turn halfway through

When cooking cheese curds in an air fryer, it is important to turn them halfway through the cooking process. This ensures that the cheese curds cook evenly and achieve the desired crispy, golden brown finish.

To turn the cheese curds, open the air fryer at the halfway mark and gently shake the basket or use tongs to turn them over. This step is crucial to achieving an even fry and preventing the cheese curds from sticking to the air fryer basket.

It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) before adding the cheese curds. This helps ensure even cooking and prevents the cheese curds from sticking. Additionally, using an air fryer liner or spraying the basket with cooking spray can also help prevent sticking and achieve a golden color.

The cooking time for cheese curds in an air fryer can vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the thickness of the coating. It is recommended to cook the cheese curds for a total of 6 to 8 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. However, it is important to keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking or melting.

For frozen cheese curds, the cooking time may be slightly longer, around 7 minutes at 390°F. It is important to lay the frozen cheese curds in a single layer in the air fryer basket and break up any frozen blocks before cooking to ensure even cooking.

Serve with sauce

There are several sauces that you can serve with your air-fried cheese curds.

Some recipes suggest a classic marinara sauce, which can be served on the side for dipping or poured over the top of the cheese curds. You could also try a blue cheese or ranch dressing, or a gluten-free spicy mayo. If you're looking for something with a bit more kick, try a creamy buffalo sauce, peri peri sauce, or a southern comeback sauce. For a different flavor profile, you could try a creamy pesto sauce or a sweet and spicy onion ring sauce.

If you want to get creative, you can put some extra cheese curds, ketchup, and hot sauce in a heat-safe container and put it in the air fryer for the last 3 minutes of cooking. That way, you'll have some extra cheesy, spicy, crispy curds to enjoy with your regular batch!

You can also serve your cheese curds as part of a larger dish. In Canada and the US, cheese curds are often served on top of French fries with gravy—this dish is called "poutine." You could also serve your cheese curds with Air-Fryer Fried Pickles and Flax Seed Crackers, or use them as croutons on a salad.

Frequently asked questions