Air Fryer Cheese Crisps: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a convenient and versatile kitchen appliance, and they can be used to make a variety of dishes, including cheese crisps. Cheese crisps are a tasty, crunchy, savoury snack that can be made with just about any type of cheese. They are also a great option for those on a keto, low-carb, grain-free, or gluten-free diet.

To make cheese crisps in an air fryer, start by lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper to avoid any sticky mess. Then, place your desired amount of shredded or sliced cheese on the parchment paper. You can use any type of cheese, but it is recommended to use a firm, low-moisture cheese like Parmesan, Cheddar, or Gruyère for ultra-crunchy cheese crisps. Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, feta, or ricotta may not be suitable as they contain more moisture.

Air fry the cheese at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5-8 minutes, or until the cheese is lightly browned and crispy. The cooking time may vary depending on the type of cheese and the specific air fryer model. Once done, remove the cheese crisps from the air fryer and let them cool. The cheese will harden as it cools.

Choosing the right cheese

The cheese you choose for your air-fried cheese crisps will determine the flavor, texture, and overall vibe of your snack. A firm, low-moisture cheese is the best option for high-quality, ultra-crunchy cheese crisps.

Parmesan, cheddar, and Gruyère are great choices for a crispy texture. Hard cheeses like these tend to be less greasy. You can also use other hard cheeses such as Grana Padano, Romano, or Asiago.

Some cheeses are not suitable for this snack as they won't achieve the desired crunch. Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, feta, or ricotta have a higher moisture content, and ultra-soft cheeses like brie or camembert become viscous when heated. These softer cheeses are ideal for dipping but won't crisp up in the air fryer.

You can use either shredded or sliced cheese for your crisps, but the cooking time may vary. Shredded cheese is thinner and may cook faster, so keep an eye on it to prevent burning.

If you're feeling creative, you can even mix different cheeses together and see what you get!

Shredding the cheese

If you're shredding the cheese yourself, it's best to use the small holes of a box grater. You can use either pre-shredded cheese or grate your own. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but it tends to be coated in cellulose, which inhibits melting. If you're grating your own cheese, it's important to shred a generous amount. This will ensure you have enough to work with and can create a good base for your crisps.

When it comes to arranging the shredded cheese in the air fryer, start by lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This will prevent the cheese from sticking and making a mess. Place about one tablespoon of shredded cheese per crisp on the parchment paper, arranging the shreds closely together and laying them flat. Avoid stacking the shreds too heavily, as this can lead to uneven cooking. Leave enough space between each mound of cheese to allow for spreading during cooking.

The thickness of your cheese mounds will also impact the crispiness of your final product. The thinner you make the mounds, the crispier your cheese crisps will be. If you're using grated cheese, lightly press the mounds flat before placing them in the air fryer.

Preparing the air fryer

First, cut a sheet of parchment paper to roughly the size of your air fryer basket. This will prevent your cheese crisps from sticking to the basket and creating a mess. Place the parchment paper in the basket.

Next, select the cheese you would like to use. A firm, low-moisture cheese is best for ultra-crunchy cheese crisps. Good options include Parmesan, Cheddar, Asiago, Gruyère, or aged mozzarella. Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, feta, or ricotta, and ultra-soft cheeses like brie or camembert are not suitable for this recipe as they will not achieve the desired crunch.

Now, it's time to decide whether you want to use shredded or sliced cheese. If you opt for shredded cheese, arrange the shreds closely together and lay them flat on the parchment paper, avoiding stacking them too heavily to prevent uneven cooking. If you prefer slices, simply place the slices of cheese on the parchment paper.

If you want to add extra flavour to your cheese crisps, now is the time to sprinkle on your favourite seasonings, herbs, seeds, or nuts. Everything bagel seasoning, rosemary, thyme, sunflower seeds, slivered almonds, or pine nuts are all great options.

Finally, set your air fryer to the desired temperature and cooking time. A general guideline is to cook the cheese crisps at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about five minutes, but this may vary depending on your air fryer and the type of cheese you are using.

Cooking the crisps

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. It's important to get the temperature right, as this will ensure your cheese crisps are cooked evenly and consistently.

Line your air fryer basket with a sheet of parchment paper. This will prevent your cheese from sticking to the basket and creating a mess.

Now, it's time to add the cheese! You can use either a slice of cheese or grated/shredded cheese. If using a slice, simply place it on the parchment paper. If using grated cheese, create small mounds of cheese, leaving a little space between each mound. Flatten the mounds slightly to ensure even cooking.

Air fry your cheese for approximately 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it, as the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer. You'll know it's ready when the cheese is lightly browned and crispy.

Once the cheese is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer, still on the parchment paper, and let it cool. The cheese will continue to harden as it cools, so don't worry if it's not completely crisp yet.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy cheese crisps ready to enjoy. You can serve them as a snack or use them as a crunchy topping for soups or salads.

Flavouring the crisps

While cheese crisps are delicious on their own, you can add extra flavour by seasoning them with your favourite herbs and spices.

You can add flavour to your cheese crisps by sprinkling your chosen seasoning on top of the cheese before cooking. Alternatively, you could mix your chosen seasoning into the cheese before placing it in the air fryer.

• Everything bagel seasoning
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• Paprika
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Chili powder
• Taco seasoning
• Italian seasoning
• Rosemary
• Thyme

You could also add some texture and flavour by sprinkling some seeds or nuts on top of your cheese crisps before cooking, such as sunflower seeds, slivered almonds, or pine nuts.

If you want to add even more flavour to your cheese crisps, try dipping them in your favourite sauces or dips after they have cooled. Some tasty dips to try include salsa, guacamole, spinach-artichoke dip, or marinara sauce.

Frequently asked questions