Description
Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, these Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls are a delicious way to transform leftover mac and cheese into a fun, bite-sized snack. Coated with a crunchy cornflake crust and stuffed with melted cheddar cheese, they’re perfect as an appetizer or party finger food.
Ingredients
Scale
Mac and Cheese Balls
- 14 ounces leftover mac and cheese, chilled
- 5 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Coating
- 9 ounces cornflakes
To Serve
- Dipping sauce of your choice
Instructions
- Prep and Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Meanwhile, process the cornflakes in a food processor until they are finely ground and place them in a shallow dish for coating.
- Make Egg Wash: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs with garlic powder and onion powder to create a flavorful egg wash for binding the coating.
- Form Balls: Take the chilled mac and cheese and shape it into small balls. Press a cube of cheddar cheese into the center of each ball and carefully reshape the mac and cheese around the cheese to fully enclose it.
- Coat and Air Fry: Dip each mac and cheese ball into the egg wash, then roll it in the crushed cornflakes until well coated. Place the balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve: Remove the mac and cheese balls from the air fryer and serve warm with your preferred dipping sauce for a delightful snack or appetizer.
Notes
- Using leftover mac and cheese that’s well chilled helps the balls hold their shape better.
- Make sure to press the cheese cubes firmly inside the balls to avoid leakage during cooking.
- For extra crunch, you can double coat the balls by repeating the egg wash and cornflake coating steps before air frying.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model; keep an eye to avoid overcooking.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and gooey cheese experience.
