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Air Fryer Cheese Puffs Recipe (Crispy in 10 Minutes!)

Air Fryer Cheese Puffs

5 from 5 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Servings: 20 Servings

Description

Crispy outside, fluffy inside, and ready in 10 minutes — this easy air fryer cheese puffs recipe uses just 7 pantry ingredients. The best cheese puffs air fryer method for game day, parties, or after-school snacks.

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1½ cups sharp cheddar, about 6 oz. freshly shredded
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan, optional but recommended
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  • Preheat: Heat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
  • Mix dry: Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and pepper in a large bowl.
  • Coat cheese: Toss shredded cheddar and Parmesan in the flour mixture until evenly dusted.
  • Mix wet: In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and melted butter until smooth.
  • Combine: Pour wet into dry. Stir just until flour disappears (10–12 strokes). Do not overmix.
  • Shape: Scoop 1-tablespoon portions and lightly roll into balls.
  • Air fry: Lightly spray the basket. Arrange puffs in a single layer with ½-inch spacing. Cook at 375°F for 8–10 minutes, until deeply golden.
  • Cool & serve: Rest in the basket for 1–2 minutes, then serve warm.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Notes

  • Gluten-free: Swap all-purpose flour 1:1 for a GF baking blend (King Arthur Measure for Measure works well).
  • Grate from a block. Pre-shredded bagged cheese has anti-caking starch that prevents proper melting.
  • Freezing: Cooked puffs freeze for 2 months. Reheat at 350°F for 2–3 minutes.
  • From frozen dough: Cook raw dough balls straight from frozen at 375°F for 11–13 minutes.
  • No air fryer? Bake at 400°F on parchment for 13–15 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 86kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 4gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 164mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 177IUVitamin C: 0.001mgCalcium: 91mgIron: 0.4mg