Ella Walter
If you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious snack, look no further than air fryer cheese bites. You can make these crispy, crunchy, and gooey cheese bites with just a few simple ingredients and an air fryer. While there are many variations of this recipe, a common one involves a combination of cheese, eggs, flour, and breadcrumbs. You can also add seasonings such as garlic, salt, or Italian seasoning to enhance the flavor. Simply shape the mixture into small balls, coat them with cooking spray, and air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. For an extra crispy texture, you can freeze the cheese bites before cooking or double coat them in the breading. So, whether you're looking for a comforting snack or an impressive appetizer, air fryer cheese bites are definitely worth trying!
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What You'll Learn
Broccoli cheddar bites
These crispy, gooey, and cheesy broccoli cheddar bites are a perfect snack for any occasion. They are easy to make and healthy, too!
Ingredients:
- Broccoli florets (soft and mushy)
- Cheddar cheese (grated)
- Egg
- Breadcrumbs
- Spices/seasoning
- Olive oil spray
Optional Ingredients:
- Parmesan
- Mozzarella
- Cream cheese
- Goat cheese
Instructions:
- Boil the broccoli florets for 2 -3 minutes until soft and mushy. Drain and pat them dry. Finely chop the broccoli florets so that they cook evenly.
- In a large bowl, mix the chopped broccoli and grated cheddar cheese together.
- Add the egg and spices/seasoning to the mixture. Mix everything together with your hands until it forms a sticky mixture.
- Shape the mixture into small balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter, using your hands. Make sure they are not bigger than 1 and ½ inches, or they may flatten.
- Using your finger, push a hole in each ball and add a small cube of solid cheese, such as cream cheese, mozzarella, or goat cheese.
- Roll the balls in breadcrumbs and lightly coat them with olive oil spray.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the broccoli cheddar bites in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them.
- Cook for about 10 minutes, or 5 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Storage and Reheating:
Store any leftover broccoli cheddar bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, you can use an oven, microwave, or air fryer. For the oven, preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 5-7 minutes. For the microwave, heat for 30-60 seconds. For the air fryer, heat at 350F for 2 minutes per side to regain the outer crisp.
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Mac and cheese balls
Ingredients:
- Leftover mac and cheese (cooled and refrigerated)
- Egg
- Milk
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Cornflakes (optional)
Instructions:
- Take your leftover mac and cheese and form it into small balls. The mac and cheese should be refrigerated beforehand so that it sticks together and is easier to roll. Each ball should be about 1 tablespoon of mac and cheese.
- Place the formed mac and cheese balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are not touching each other. Freeze for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. This step is crucial as it helps the balls hold their shape and prevents them from falling apart in the air fryer.
- Beat an egg and mix it with milk in a bowl. Pour the breadcrumbs into a separate bowl.
- Remove the mac and cheese balls from the freezer. Dip each ball in the egg and milk mixture, then coat it in the breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes.
- Place the coated balls into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch each other. Spray lightly with some olive oil or cooking spray.
- Set the air fryer to 360-375°F (180-190°C) and cook for 8-12 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. You may need to flip them halfway through the cooking time, depending on your air fryer model.
- Serve immediately while still warm. They can be enjoyed on their own or with a dipping sauce such as ranch, BBQ sauce, or marinara.
Tips:
- If you don't have leftover mac and cheese, you can make it fresh, but be sure to let it cool and refrigerate for about 4 hours before forming the balls.
- Experiment with different seasonings and cheese blends to create unique flavors.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
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Biscuit balls
Ingredients
- Canned biscuit dough
- Cheese of your choice (Velveeta, cream cheese, mozzarella, or goat cheese)
- Butter
- Seasonings of your choice (granulated garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, herbes de Provence, or everything bagel seasoning)
Instructions
- Open the can of biscuit dough and separate it into individual biscuits.
- Place one chunk of cheese in the center of each biscuit. You can also add a sprinkle of seasonings or a dash of hot sauce with the cheese.
- Wrap the edges of the dough up and over the cheese. Pinch the edges to seal the biscuit into a ball. Flip the ball over, seam-side down, and repeat for all the biscuits.
- Check that the seams have stayed shut and pinch any openings closed.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175-180°C). Spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray or brush with oil.
- Place the biscuit balls into the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on your air fryer. The biscuits should develop an even, deep brown coloring.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve warm.
Tips
- You can also bake these in the oven at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes if you don't have an air fryer.
- If you want an extra crispy texture, freeze the biscuit balls for 10-15 minutes before air frying.
- If you want to prevent the cheese from oozing out, double-coat the biscuit balls with the dough.
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Crispy cheese bites
These crispy cheese bites are the perfect snack for any occasion. They are simple to make, quick to cook, and ideal for enjoying on the couch or serving at a party. The best part is that you can make them in an air fryer!
Ingredients
- Soft mushy broccoli florets (or frozen broccoli)
- Cheddar cheese
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Egg
- Spices
- Velveeta cheese
Instructions
- Mix the chopped broccoli and cheddar cheese together in a large bowl.
- Add the egg and spices, and mix everything together with your hands until it forms a sticky mixture.
- Shape the mixture into small balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter.
- Using your finger, push a hole in each ball and add a small cube of Velveeta cheese.
- Roll the balls in Panko breadcrumbs.
- Place the balls in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching.
- Spray lightly with some olive oil cooking spray.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Tips
- If you have time, you can pop your coated cheese bites into the freezer for 10-15 minutes before air frying to help them hold their shape and prevent the cheese from oozing out.
- For an extra crispy bite, repeat the breading process for an additional layer of crunch.
- If you have any leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
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Reheating and storing
When storing Velveeta cheese, it's important to note that it has an expiration date, which should be checked before purchasing. Kraft Heinz, the manufacturer, states that unopened boxes of original-flavored Velveeta have a shelf life of up to 10–12 months, while open boxes are expected to last around four weeks when refrigerated at 32°F–40°F.
To maintain freshness, unopened boxes of Velveeta cheese are relatively easy to store and require less precision compared to opened boxes. Once the seal is broken, it's crucial to wrap the cheese tightly in cling film to prevent air exposure and slow down spoilage. Ensure that no part of the cheese is exposed. Then, place the wrapped cheese inside an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator at the recommended temperature range.
Regarding reheating, there are a few options. If you're reheating Velveeta cheese bites, you can use an oven, microwave, or air fryer. For the oven, preheat it to 350°F and place the bites on a baking sheet for 5–7 minutes. For the microwave, place them on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 30–60 seconds. If using an air fryer, place the bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry for 3–4 minutes at 360°F/180°C until warmed through.
If you have leftovers of Velveeta Shells and Cheese, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, use a stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or water to restore creaminess. If using a microwave, cover the dish with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until warmed through. For freezing, allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container, and it can be stored for up to 2 months.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need Velveeta, soft mushy broccoli florets, an egg, and spices. You can also add other types of cheese like Parmesan, Mozzarella, Cream Cheese, or Goat Cheese.
Boil the broccoli florets for 2 minutes, then drain and pat dry. If you are using frozen broccoli, cook according to the package directions and squeeze out any moisture.
Mix the chopped broccoli and cheese in a large bowl. Add the egg and spices, and mix with your hands until it forms a sticky mixture.
Shape the mixture into small balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter. Using your finger, push a hole in each ball and add a small cube of Velveeta cheese.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the bites in the air fryer basket and cook for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
