Air fryer mac and cheese bites are an easy, delicious appetizer that your family will love! Made with just a few simple ingredients, these cheesy morsels are a wonderful way to add some comfort food flavor to your dining table.
The air fryer is the perfect tool for making these bites because it cooks them quickly and evenly without needing any extra oil or butter. The result is golden brown cheese pockets that have a crunchy exterior and oozing creaminess on the inside. Serve them alone as an appetizer or top them with bacon bits, chives, and/or hot sauce for a unique take on loaded fries. No matter how you serve them, air fryer mac and cheese bites are sure to be a hit!
The Best Homemade Mac and Cheese Bites
Mac and cheese bites are a classic fan favorite, and they are surprisingly easy to make at home. All you need is your favorite leftover mac and cheese recipe (homemade or boxed), shaped into bite-sized pieces, fried in a pan with oil or butter until golden brown, and served with your favorite sauce. The homemade version of this comforting snack uses high-quality ingredients like real cheddar cheese that give these bites an unbeatable flavor. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer before dinner or taking them along for a picnic, homemade mac, and cheese bites are sure to be a hit!
They are the perfect appetizer and a great recipe for leftover Stouffer’s Mac and Cheese! And of course, who doesn’t love using their mac and cheese leftovers? This will soon become one of your favorite recipes, which you can make with any kind of mac and cheese!
The end result will be cheesy bites, perfect for game day, a fun appetizer, or a great side dish!
Why You Will Love These Mac and Cheese Bites!
Mac and cheese bites are the perfect comfort food—they’re creamy and cheesy on the inside, with a crunchy exterior that satisfies even the pickiest of eaters. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also incredibly versatile—you can choose from a variety of flavors, toppings, or sauces to make them just the way you like them. Plus, mac and cheese bites are incredibly easy to make at home; all you need is your favorite mac and cheese recipe (homemade or boxed), shaped into bite-sized pieces, and fried in the air fryer basket until golden brown. Once you try these homemade morsels, it won’t be long before everyone around you is asking for more!
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Bites
Mac and cheese is a favorite comfort food for many, but it can be difficult to make at home. The good news is that you can now make delicious mac and cheese bites in an air fryer! By using the right ingredients, you’ll get crispy-on-the-outside, cheesy goodness on the inside with a fraction of the effort.
Keep reading to learn what ingredients you will need when making air fryer mac and cheese bites so you can have a tasty dinner or snack your whole family enjoys this week!
Remember the step-by-step instructions below in the printable recipe card as well as the nutritional information, at the bottom of the post.
- Cold Macaroni and Cheese: Use any of your favorite brands! YOu can use homemade macaroni and chees or leftover mac and cheese.
- Egg: Use a large, room-temperature egg white
- Seasoned Bread Crumbs: Use your favorite panko breadcrumbs.
- Dipping Sauce: A great way to serve these is with buffalo sauce or homemade cheese sauce!
How To Make Air Fyrer Macaroni and Cheese Bites
Step One: Make Your Air Fried Mac Bites
Take a small scoop of your mac & cheese. Are used a cookie scoop, but you can use a measuring spoon or a regular spoon. Roll the mac & cheese into a ball using the palms of your hands, or the back of a spoon.
Step Two: Bread The Crispy Mac and Cheese Bites
In a shallow bowl, add your egg white, and whisk it with a fork. In another shallow dish add the panko bread crumbs. Dip your mac & cheese balls into the egg mixture, followed by coating it in the breadcrumbs. For best results, use your hands and press the panko breadcrumbs
Step Three: Air Fry Mac and Cheese Bites
Either spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray or add parchment paper to the air fryer basket. Place the macaroni pasta into the air fryer basket, in a single layer. Set your air fryer to 380 degrees F, using the air fryer setting, and cooking time for 8-10 minutes, or until they are slightly browned.
Step Four: Serving
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
Tips For Making Homemade Mac and Cheese Bites
Seasonings and Spices: If you want you can add some chees to the panko mixture, some great cheeses are Parmesan Cheese, Monterey Jack, Pecorino Romano, and even cream cheese!
Preheated Air Fryer: There is no need to preheat your air fryer.
COokikng Sprayh: For the golden color, brush with melted butter, or olive oil, the oil will give you the golden rich color.
How To Store Leftover Mac and Cheese Bites
When storing leftover mac and cheese bites, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure they stay fresh. Proper storage of these delicious bites will help maintain their flavor and texture. Here are some tips for storing your leftover mac and cheese bites:
Storing: Place the bites in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag once they have cooled completely. Refrigerate the bites within two hours of cooking. Refrigerating them too soon can cause condensation and make them soggy. Place the container or bag in the refrigerator and store it for up to four days. Refrigeration will help keep the bites fresh.
Freezer: If you plan to store the bites for longer than four days, they can be frozen. Place them on a baking sheet and place them into the freezer until they are frozen solid, and then remove and wrap them in plastic wrap, then place them into a large Freezer Bag. They will last in the freezer for 2-3 months.
What Macaroni and Cheese To Use For These
I used the boxed version, my kid’s favorite brand of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. However, a perfect thing to use would be the refrigerated macaroni and cheese sold in grocery stores.
Here are some of my favorite macaroni and cheese brands:
- Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
- Annie’s Mac and Cheese
- Bob Evan’s Macaroni and Cheese (Found in the Refrigerated Section)
- Hormel Macaroni & Cheese (Found in the Refrigearrted Section)
- Panera Macaroni & Cheese (Usually found in the deli section, this makes for a creamy mac and cheese bite!
What Type of Sauce Do you Serve With Them?
There are so many sauces that are great with this dish, here are some of my favorites:
How Do You Make Trader Joe’s Mac And Cheese Bites In An Air Fryer?
These are absolutely perfect for the air fryer. I would advise you to keep them frozen, The best way to cook frozen foods is to keep the freezer foods completely frozen, before air frying.
Then place the frozen trader joe’s mac and Cheese Bites into the air fryer and set the 370 degrees F temperature for 8-10 minutes. (air fryer setting)
How Do You Cook Frozen Mac And Cheese Bites?
Keep them frozen, otherwise, they will turn mushy. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Then place them into the oven for 9 to 12 minutes, flipping once. Cook until they are golden brown, I have made Stouffer’s Brand in the air fryer and they are amazing!
How To Cook Stouffer’s Brand Frozen Mac and Chees Balls In Air Fryer
Love the flavor of Stouffer’s Brand, here is how to cook them in the air fryer.. Follow the instructions on the package of mac and cheese balls. Set the temperature to 350°F and cook for 6 minutes. Check the center of one of the cheese balls with a food thermometer; it should read 165°F
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you love our recipe for macaroni and cheese balls recipe, you will love these other easy air fryer recipes!
Air Fryer Mac And Cheese Bites–One of the most amazing appetizers, and so much better than the frozen kind. They are so easy and only require a few key ingredients and you can whip these up in a snap.
- 2 cups macaroni and cheese cooked, and cold
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup breadcrumbs seasoned
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Take a small scoop of your mac & cheese. Are used a cookie scoop, but you can use a measuring spoon or a regular spoon. Roll the mac & cheese into a ball using the palms of your hands.
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Dip your mac & cheese balls into the egg mixture, followed by coating it in the breadcrumbs.
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Place your mac & cheese balls into your air fryer.
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Set your air fryer to 380 degrees F, and cook for eight minutes, or until they are slightly browned
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Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
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