Air Fryer Cheese Curds: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Cheese curds are a delicious snack, but frying them can be a hassle and a mess. Fortunately, you can make them in an air fryer! This article will teach you how to make cheese curds in an air fryer, as well as some tips and tricks to make them perfect.

Freeze the cheese curds before air frying

Freeze the Cheese Curds

Freezing the cheese curds before air frying is a crucial step to achieving the perfect crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside texture. Here's why:

Prevent Cheese from Melting

Freezing the cheese curds helps to firm up the cheese and prevent it from melting too quickly during the frying process. This ensures that the cheese doesn't just melt and seep out of the breading, leaving you with a hollow shell. By freezing them, you can achieve that desirable oozing, stretchy cheese texture when you bite into it without having the cheese curds fall apart in the air fryer.

Keep Their Shape

Freezing the cheese curds for a short period helps them retain their shape. This is especially important for smaller cheese curds, which tend to stick together. By keeping them stuck together in clusters, you'll have larger pieces that will fry better and be easier to work with when breading.

How Long to Freeze

Place the cheese curds in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. This is enough time to firm up the cheese without freezing them solid. You still want the cheese to soften and ooze when you bite into it, so don't leave them in the freezer for hours.

Bread and Freeze

After you've breaded the cheese curds, you can place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This extra step will allow the coating to crisp up before the cheese completely melts, ensuring a crunchy exterior and a molten interior.

Prepare in Advance

Since the cheese curds can be frozen first, they're excellent for preparing in advance. Once you've breaded the cheese curds, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. Then, when you're ready to serve them, simply air fry them to perfection!

Keep the cheese curds stuck together

When making air fryer cheese curds, it is best to keep the cheese curds that are stuck together. This is because smaller cheese curds tend to stick together in one big pile of cheese in the bag. Keeping the smaller pieces of cheese stuck together helps with the frying process as they are less likely to melt through the breading. Larger cheese curds also keep their shape better and are easier to bread and work with.

Cheese curds are more like self-contained little balls of cheese, so they don't stick together as much as shredded cheese. However, they will still stick together a bit, and it is generally easy to pull them apart. But it is recommended to keep them stuck together, especially for the frying process.

When preparing the cheese curds for frying, it is important to ensure that they are fully coated in the breading. This will help prevent the cheese from melting out during frying and leaving a shell of breading with no cheese inside. It is also recommended to double bread the cheese curds by dipping them in the egg and bread crumb mixture twice to ensure a thick coating.

Additionally, freezing the cheese curds for a short time before frying can help them keep their shape and prevent them from melting too quickly. However, they should not be left in the freezer for too long, as you still want the cheese to soften and ooze when bitten into.

Double bread the curds

This is a restaurant trick that most home cooks are unaware of. A single layer of breading on a piece of cheese will not suffice. The cheese will leak out of the breading. It simply does not coat the cheese sufficiently to keep it contained. So, after you've dipped the cheese in flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs, pack the breading onto it by cupping it in your palm and gently squeezing. Then, dip it back into the egg wash and roll it in the breadcrumbs again. It also helps to gently press the second layer of breadcrumbs into the curd.

You want to make sure that every corner of the cheese is covered. If there are any bare spots, the cheese will definitely seep through. The breading is there to contain the cheese curd and keep it from melting into the bottom of your air fryer.

It can also be helpful to use a small amount of breadcrumbs and replace them with fresh ones as they become coated in egg.

How to Double Bread Cheese Curds:

• Combine flour, whisked eggs, and breadcrumbs in three separate bowls.
• Toss each cheese curd in the flour, ensuring it is lightly coated.
• Shake off any excess flour and dip the curd into the egg wash.
• Immediately move the curd into the bowl of breadcrumbs and turn it or shake the bowl to coat.
• Put the curd back into the egg wash and then into the breadcrumbs for a second time.
• Gently squeeze the breadcrumbs into the curd to ensure the breading is packed in.

Pre-heating the air fryer

Air fryers are designed to heat up rapidly, so pre-heating is not always necessary. But, when making cheese curds, you want to ensure the air fryer reaches the desired temperature to get that crunchy, crispy coating. This is especially important as you are not using a lot of oil, so the air fryer needs to be hot enough to create that fried effect.

So, how do you pre-heat your air fryer? It's simple! Just turn on your air fryer and let it heat up for a few minutes before adding your cheese curds. Most recipes recommend heating to around 350-400°F. This will ensure your curds get that golden, crispy exterior while remaining gooey and delicious on the inside.

Remember, the key to successful air frying is often in the preparation. By taking the time to pre-heat your air fryer, you'll create the perfect environment for your cheese curds to cook evenly and turn out perfectly. So, don't skip this step! It might just be the secret to the best cheese curds you've ever tasted.

Flavouring the breadcrumbs

The flavour of the breadcrumbs is a key component of the overall taste of the cheese curds. The breadcrumbs are the vessel for the cheese curds to melt into, so they need to be able to stand up to the strong cheese flavour. Here are some tips and tricks for flavouring your breadcrumbs to perfection:

Spices and Seasonings

The type of spices and seasonings you use will depend on your personal preference and the overall flavour profile you are trying to achieve. A good rule of thumb is to use spices that complement the cheese. For example, if you are using a sharper cheese, you might want to use stronger spices like cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or garlic powder. If you are using a milder cheese, you might want to use more subtle spices like Italian seasoning, parsley, or parmesan cheese. You can also try mixing and matching spices to create your own unique flavour combinations.

Fresh vs. Dried Breadcrumbs

The type of breadcrumbs you use can also affect the flavour. Fresh breadcrumbs will give a more subtle flavour, while dried breadcrumbs will give a more intense flavour. If you are using fresh breadcrumbs, you might want to toast them lightly before using them to bring out more of the flavour.

Cheese

As mentioned earlier, cheese can be a great addition to the breadcrumbs. Grated parmesan cheese is a popular choice, as it has a strong flavour that can stand up to the cheese curds. Other types of cheese can also be used, such as cheddar or mozzarella. Just be sure that the cheese you use is finely grated so that it mixes well with the breadcrumbs.

Herbs

Fresh or dried herbs can also be a great way to flavour your breadcrumbs. Herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano can add a nice, subtle flavour to the breadcrumbs. If using fresh herbs, be sure to chop them finely so that they mix well with the breadcrumbs.

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When flavouring your breadcrumbs, it's important to taste as you go and adjust as needed. Everyone's taste preferences are different, so you may want to add more or less of a particular spice or seasoning. Don't be afraid to experiment and create your own unique flavour combinations!

Frequently asked questions