Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Bites
Crispy, cheesy, and handheld snacks made from leftover mac and cheese, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups Cold mac and cheese Homemade or boxed is fine. Must be cold.
- 1/2 cup Shredded cheese Optional; cheddar or mozzarella for extra melt.
- 2 large Eggs Helps the breading stick.
- 1 cup Bread crumbs Panko preferred for crunch.
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
- Cooking spray Cooking spray for air frying To help the bites brown.
Instructions
Preparation
- Chill cold mac and cheese in a shallow container overnight or for a few hours until firm.
- Scoop out cold mac and cheese and roll into 1 to 1.5 inch balls or press into nugget shapes.
- Dip each bite into the egg, then coat with bread crumbs.
Cooking
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange the bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching to avoid steaming.
- Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
Notes
Allowing mac and cheese to chill is crucial for neat bites. Freeze breaded bites for later use, cooking them from frozen with a few extra minutes if needed.