Description
Crispy and gooey air fryer mac and cheese balls, made by coating cheesy mac and cheese with a crunchy cornflake crust and air frying to golden perfection. A delicious and easy appetizer or snack that’s perfect for using up leftover mac and cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 14 ounces leftover mac and cheese, chilled
- 5 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
Coating
- 9 ounces cornflakes
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For Serving
- Dipping sauce of your choice
Instructions
- Prep and Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for cooking. Meanwhile, place the cornflakes into a food processor and pulse until they are finely ground. Transfer the crushed cornflakes to a shallow dish for coating.
- Make Egg Wash: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, garlic powder, and onion powder until fully combined. This will be used to help the cornflake coating stick to the mac and cheese balls.
- Form Balls: Take your chilled leftover mac and cheese and shape it into small balls, about the size of a golf ball. Press a small cube of cheddar cheese into the center of each ball, then reshape to completely enclose the cheese inside the mac and cheese.
- Coat and Air Fry: Dip each mac and cheese ball into the egg mixture to wet the surface, then roll it in the crushed cornflakes to fully coat. Place the coated balls in a single layer inside the preheated air fryer basket. Cook for 12 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure an even golden brown and crispy crust.
- Serve: Carefully remove the mac and cheese balls from the air fryer and serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauce for a delightful contrast of creamy and crunchy textures.
Notes
- Using chilled mac and cheese helps the balls hold together better during cooking.
- Pressing a cube of cheddar inside each ball adds a gooey cheesy center for extra indulgence.
- Make sure balls are coated evenly for consistent crispy texture.
- Flip halfway through air frying to promote even browning on all sides.
- Serve immediately for the best crispy and melty experience.
