These air fryer mac and cheese bites or balls are perfect appetizers for your next party, game day, or get-together! Cooked directly from frozen in the air fryer, you only need one ingredient and it's ready in no time. Perfectly crunchy on the outside, cheesy and gooey on the inside. Watch them fly off the plate within a twinkle of an eye, they are that good!
Whether you are hosting a party, getting together with your buddies, or you have some hungry little mouth to feed, these frozen breaded mac and cheese bites cooked in the air fryer is a sure crowd-pleaser. With just one ingredient and less than 10 minutes of air frying time, you will be keeping some tummy happy.
You can make mac and cheese bites from scratch if you want. All you will need is some leftover mac and cheese that has been refrigerated, the coldness helps it to firm up and is easy to handle for rolling, dredging, breading, and frying.
That said it is convenient and mess-free buying a frozen option from the shop, especially from a trusted brand. I don't know about you but I am not a big fan of breading and deep-frying, which is one of the reasons I love cooking with the air fryer. It saves me time, lessens the mess and I don't have to worry about oil splatters.
Related post: air fryer halloumi, halloumi fries, and air fryer mozzarella sticks.
You will love this frozen air fryer appetizer because
- It is easy and quick, and more importantly, delicious!
- It is perfect for snacking, entertaining, and feeding a crowd.
- Perfect when making a small batch and cleanup is a breeze!
- No oil spray is needed and preheating the air fryer is optional depending on the brand of air fryer you have. Some air fryers preheat automatically like my instant Vortex
To make these air fryer mac and cheese bites, you will need
Frozen mac and cheese bites of choice, usually come in a pack and can be found in the frozen food aisle section of your supermarket
Air fryer: I made these little crispy buddies in my instant Vortex
Dipping sauce: ketchup, marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or any other dipping sauce of choice
How to cook frozen mac and cheese bites in the air fryer
Remove the frozen mac and cheese balls and place them in the air fryer basket arranging them in a single layer. It is important not to overcrowd the basket
Air fry the frozen mac and cheese at 400F/200C for 5-7 minutes flipping the basket halfway through for even cooking.
Serve immediately with any dipping sauce of choice
How to store
These are best served immediately upon cooking. If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container and place them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer when ready to serve again.
More air fryer appetizers you will love
Garlic butter smashed potatoes
Air Fryer Mac And Cheese Bites
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 24 frozen mac and cheese bites
Instructions
- Remove the frozen mac and cheese balls and place them in the air fryer basket arranging them in a single layer. It is important not to overcrowd the basket
- Air fry the frozen mac and cheese at 400F/200C for 5-7 minutes flipping the basket halfway through for even cooking.
- Serve immediately with any dipping sauce of choice
Notes
Nutrition
FAQs
How long do you cook mac and cheese bites in an air fryer?
Depending on the size and thickness of each ball, you will typically cook them for 5 to 7 minutes at 400F/200C.
How do I know it is fully cooked
You will know the mac and cheese bites are cooked when they are golden brown and crisp on the outside with a (hot) soft and gooey cheesy center. If in doubt, cook for a minute or 2 longer.
What is the best way to cook frozen mac and cheese bites?
The air fryer is definitely the best way to cook them if you don't want to deep fry them! It is healthier and you will get perfectly crispy bites without having to deep-fry them in oil.
What should I serve it?
These little bites are usually served as appetizers with dipping sauce on the side. Popular dipping sauces include ketchup, bbq sauce, marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or any other dipping sauce of your choice.
If you made this easy air fryer recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback and rate it 5 stars. Tag us @cravingsmallbites on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest
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