Mac and Cheese Bites Air Fryer
Mac & cheese bites are surprisingly easy to make in the air fryer, and can be enjoyed quickly, and for any occasion. If you are looking for a quick and easy recipe to make, that can use your leftover, macaroni and cheese, and this is one you should try out. We hope you give it a try, and we hope you enjoy it!
The Kind of Mac and Cheese needed for this recipe
We are going to show you how you can enjoy making mac & cheese bites in the air fryer using leftover macaroni and cheese. This is surprisingly easy to make your own balls, and air fry them to perfection.
These mac & cheese bites can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or main dish that the whole family will enjoy.
You can make the mac & cheese bites in the air fryer, using leftover Kraft mac & cheese out of the box, homemade mac & cheese, or frozen mac & cheese, like Stouffer’s.
These little bites are so good, let’s jump in to how to make them!
Air Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls
Mac and Cheese Bites Air Fryer Ingredients
Leftover Mac and Cheese. You can use any type of prepared, macaroni and cheese. Some favorites include prepared box, Kraft mac & cheese, homemade mac & cheese, or frozen macaroni and cheese, like Stouffer’s that has been baked.
Eggs. You’ll need a couple of eggs to dip the balls in. It can be any type of egg.
Milk. You can use your favorite type of milk for this recipe. The milk is simply mixed with the eggs, and used to dip your bites into. We like to use whole milk, but you can use any type of milk or milk substitute.
Breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs form the outside of your mac & cheese bites. You can buy breadcrumbs from your grocery store, or you can make your own by drying out of slices of bread, then pulsing them in your food processor.
Italian Seasoning. We recommend adding a little bit of Italian seasoning to the breadcrumb mixture, to help flavor your mac & cheese bites.
How to Make Air Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls
The process of making your air fried macaroni and cheese balls is quite simple. Begin by preparing your macaroni and cheese or use leftover mac & cheese. Shape the cooled and prepared mac & cheese into balls or squares.
Then into a small mixing bowl, whisk together your eggs and milk. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together breadcrumbs in Italian seasoning.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (176.7°C).
When your mac & cheese has been rolled into balls, take each ball, and first dip it into the egg and milk mixture, let it drip, then dip it into the breadcrumb mixture, rolling it, so that the entire ball is covered in breadcrumbs.
Then place each prepared mac & cheese baked into the air fryer basket. Repeat this process until all of your mac & cheese balls are in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each ball.
Close your air fryer, and air fry your mac & cheese bites for 5 minutes. Turn them over, or shake the basket to rotate them, and continue air frying for another 5 to 8 minutes or until your mac & cheese bites are done to your preference.
Once your mac and cheese balls are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer basket, then serve right away and enjoy.
How Long to Cook Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Bites
The amount of time it takes to cook your mac & cheese bites in the air fryer may vary depending upon your specific air fryer and how many mac & cheese bites you are cooking at a time.
We recommend that you add the timer for less than you think you will need, then add more time as desired.
Cooking Time and Temperature
On average, we recommend that you air fry your mac & cheese bites at 350°F for approximately 10 to 13 minutes total.
Tips to Make the Best Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls
Use leftover mac & cheese. We recommend that you use the leftover macaroni and cheese, so that it is prepared, and has had a chance to cool.
Let rest in egg mixture. We recommend that once you shape the mac & cheese bites and dip it into the egg mixture, you let it rest for a few seconds, before allowing it to drip. After it has had a chance to drip dry, dip once more in the breadcrumb mixture.
Dipping Sauce for Mac and Cheese Balls
You might enjoy serving your mac & cheese bites with a dipping sauce. But what dipping sauce should you serve them with? Some of our favorite dipping sauces for mac & cheese balls, include: cheese sauce, ranch dressing, Dijon, mustard, honey, mustard, Chick-fil-A sauce, BBQ Sauce, and Sriracha mayonnaise.
Storing and Reheating
How to Store Mac and Cheese Bites
Room temperature. Because mac & cheese bites contain dairy products, we recommend that they are not left at room temperature any longer than two hours before they must either be thrown away, or stored in the fridge.
In the fridge. The best way to store your leftover mac & cheese bites is to allow them to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container or seal them in a plastic storage bag. Place them into the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
How to Reheat Mac and Cheese Bites in the Air Fryer
There are several different ways you can reheat leftover mac & cheese bites. These different ways include in the oven, microwave, or air fryer. Our favorite way is to reheat them in the air fryer.
To do this, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Once it’s preheated, add your leftover mac & cheese bites into the air fryer basket. Air fry for approximately five minutes then shake the basket to rotate the balls.
Continue air frying for another 2 to 3 minutes or until the mac & cheese bites are reheated.
You can also warm them in the oven at 350°F for approximately 10 minutes, or until they are warmed through.
Finally, you can reheat leftover mac & cheese bites in the microwave by placing them on a microwave, safe dish, then microwaving for one to two minutes until they are warmed.
Variations to Try
Trader Joe’s Mac and Cheese Bites (Air Fryer Frozen Mac n Cheese Balls)
Trader Joe’s frozen mac & cheese bites can also be cooked in the oven. These are very easy, because they are already made and frozen. Let’s look at how you can cook these little mac & cheese balls in the air fryer.
How Do You Make Trader Joe’s Mac and Cheese Balls in an Air Fryer?
Preparing frozen Trader Joe’s, mac & cheese, balls in the air fryer is very easy. All you need are the frozen Trader Joe’s, mac & cheese, bites, and an air fryer.
How to cook frozen mac and cheese bites in an air fryer
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (204.4°C)
Once your air fryer is preheated, open the packaging of your frozen Trader Joe’s mac & cheese bites. Add them in a single layer with space between in your air fryer basket.
Close the air fryer and cook for five minutes, then remove the air fryer basket and shake to rotate the mac & cheese bites. Continue air frying for another 5 to 6 minutes or until your mac & cheese bites are cooked to your liking.
Remove them from the air fryer, serve with your favorite, dipping sauce, and enjoy!
How Long to Cook Frozen Trader Joe’s Mac and Cheese Bites in the Air Fryer?
The amount of time it takes to cook, frozen Trader Joe’s. Mac & cheese bites in the air fryer may vary depending upon your specific kitchen utility, and how many mac & cheese bites you were trying to cook at the same time.
On average it will take approximately 10 minutes total to cook your mac & cheese bites at 400°F (204.4°C).
How to Serve Mac and Cheese Bites
Mac & cheese bites are best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer after they have been cooked. You can cook them so that they are slightly crispy, or not very crispy at all it’s entirely up to you. Once they are cooked, serve them with your favorite, dipping sauce, and enjoy!
What to Serve with Air Fried Mac and Cheese Bites
Air fried mac & cheese bites can be enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or main dish. Here are a few of our favorites to enjoy along with these mac & cheese balls.
FAQs
What Kind of Mac and Cheese Should I Use in This Recipe?
You can use any type of prepared mac & cheese for this recipe. Our favorite is frozen Stouffer’s mac & cheese that has been baked, or a homemade copycat version that is very similar to Stouffer’s mac & cheese. However, it does not matter what type of mac & cheese you use as long as it has been fully prepared and has had a chance to cool.
What Sauces Should I Dip Mac and Cheese Bites In?
There are many different options when it comes to a dipping sauce for your mac & cheese bites. Some favorites include cheese sauce, ranch dressing, Sriracha, mayonnaise, honey, mustard, Dijon, mustard, or barbecue sauce. Pretty much you can choose whatever your favorite, dipping sauces, and give it a try with your air fried mac & cheese bites.
Mac and Cheese Bites in the Air Fryer
Making mac & cheese bites in the air fryer is surprisingly very easy to do, and it makes for a quick and delicious meal or snack when you are on the go. This tasty recipe is one that your whole family will enjoy and does not require much hands-on preparation. We hope that you will love this mac & cheese bites recipe!
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Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls Recipe
Mac and Cheese Bites Air Fryer
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 3 cups leftover Mac and Cheese cooled
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 1 cup breadcrumbs more as desired
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- The process of making your air, fried macaroni and cheese balls is quite simple. Begin by preparing your macaroni and cheese or use leftover mac & cheese. Shape the cooled and prepared mac & cheese into balls or squares.
- Then into a small mixing bowl, whisk together your eggs and milk. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together breadcrumbs in Italian seasoning.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (176.7°C).
- When your mac & cheese has been rolled into balls, take each ball, and first dip it into the egg and milk mixture, let it drip, then dip it into the breadcrumb mixture, rolling it, so that the entire ball is covered in breadcrumbs. Then place each prepared mac & cheese baked into the air fryer basket. Repeat this process until all of your mac & cheese balls are in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each ball.
- Close your air fryer, and air fry your mac & cheese bites for 5 minutes. Turn them over, or shake the basket to rotate them, and continue air frying for another 5 to 8 minutes or until your mac & cheese bites are done to your preference.
- Once your mac and cheese balls are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer basket, then serve right away and enjoy.
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