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This air fryer appetizer is crunchy, gooey, and full of delicious cheesy flavor! Turn leftover mac and cheese into these crispy air fryer mac and cheese balls. You only need five other ingredients to make these flavorful little bites. Using the air fryer means they’ll come out crispy and golden brown on the outside and stay moist, cheesy, and soft on the inside. Your favorite comfort food is transformed into tasty bites that the whole family will enjoy as a snack, appetizer, or even a side dish.
These air fryer mac and cheese balls are a great way to use up those mac and cheese leftovers. They’re quick and easy to make and taste so good!
You might also like one-pot taco mac and cheese, Hawaiian macaroni salad, or arancini (crispy Italian risotto balls).
Why You’ll Love It
Use up leftover mac and cheese: This is a great way to use up that leftover macaroni and cheese. Of course, you could simply reheat it but, with this recipe, you combine the mac and cheese with a few other ingredients and fry until crispy.
Really delicious: If you enjoy mac and cheese, you’re going to love these air fryer mac and cheese balls which are coated in a crispy crust.
A versatile dish: Enjoy these as a snack, as an appetizer or even as a side dish.
Air Fried Macaroni and Cheese Bites Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Leftover mac and cheese: Ensure it’s chilled and firm before shaping the balls, otherwise they might fall apart.
Cheddar cheese: For an extra-cheesy flavor. Use another type of cheese if you prefer.
Eggs: To help hold them together and also give the crushed corn flake coating something to stick to.
Garlic powder and onion powder: To add extra flavor.
Corn flakes: To add a contrasting crunch.
How to Make Air Fryer Mac n Cheese Balls
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the corn flakes: Pulse them in a food processor until fine.
Prepare the egg mixture: Whisk the eggs with the garlic and onion powder.
Make the mac and cheese balls: Roll a spoonful of leftover macaroni and cheese into a ball, pressing a cheddar cube inside. Repeat with the remaining mac and cheese and cheddar cubes. Dip each one in the egg mixture and then roll in the corn flake crumbs.
Air fry the mac and cheese bites: Cook them in the air fryer basket, flipping halfway through, and then serve hot with a dipping sauce.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free corn flakes and ensure your mac and cheese leftovers are gluten-free too (this gluten-free mac and cheese is good!)
Another cheese: Swap the cheddar for mozzarella or gouda.
No corn flakes? Use panko breadcrumbs.
Spice them up: Add some red pepper flakes or minced jalapeno to the homemade mac and cheese bites.
Different seasonings: Try Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper or smoked paprika.
Serving Suggestions
As an appetizer: Enjoy your mac and cheese bites as an appetizer with this creamy jalapeno popper dip or crockpot taco dip.
As a side dish: Serve them as a side dish alongside anything from reverse seared steaks to smoked beer can chicken or baked salmon.
How to Store Mac and Cheese Balls
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost in the fridge overnight or air fry from frozen until piping hot in the center.
Reheat: Warm them back up in the air fryer (this also helps crisp them back up!)
Top Tips
Start with chilled mac n cheese: Make sure your leftover mac and cheese is cold and firm before you start. If not, the cheese bites will fall apart.
Don’t crowd the air fryer basket: Leave some space between the mac and cheese balls or cook them in batches if you can’t fit them all in there in a single layer.
Get them golden: I like to spritz a little olive oil cooking spray over the air fryer mac and cheese balls in the air fryer to help them crisp up perfectly.
Macaroni and Cheese Balls FAQs
Spicy aioli, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, and marinara sauce are a few possibilities.
Yes, but you should ensure it’s completely chilled and firm before making the mac and cheese balls.
No, you can also bake them for 20 minutes in a 350°F oven. Deep frying is another method.
Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe
Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 14 Ounces mac and cheese, leftovers, chilled
- 9 Ounces corn flakes
- 3 eggs
- 5 Ounces cheddar cheese, cut into cubes
- 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F.
- Process the corn flakes in a food processor until they are a fine texture suitable for breading. Put them in a shallow dish and set to one side.
- In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the garlic powder and onion powder.
- Shape a small amount of leftover mac and cheese into a ball using your hands. Press a cube of cheese into the middle of each ball, then reshape to make sure the cheese is enclosed.
- Dip each mac and cheese ball into the egg mixture to coat, and then roll the balls in the corn flakes until completely covered.
- Air fry the coated balls in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they aren't touching. Cook for 12 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time.
- Serve the mac and cheese balls with any kind of dipping sauce.
Notes
Don’t crowd the air fryer basket: Leave some space between the mac and cheese balls or cook them in batches if you can’t fit them all in there in a single layer.
Get them golden: I like to spritz a little olive oil cooking spray over the air fryer mac and cheese balls in the air fryer to help them crisp up perfectly.
Nutrition
Air fryer mac and cheese balls make a tasty appetizer, snack or side dish. So, the next time you’re making mac and cheese, ensure you make extra so you can make these mac and cheese bites with the leftovers! This is one of the most delicious air fryer recipes ever.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Crispy outside, cheesy goodness inside. My kids are the pickiest eaters but they loved this one so much, they’re asking me to make it again.