Air fryer recipe · Kids
Mac-and-Cheese Balls
Creamy mac and cheese rolled into crunchy golden bites that ooze when bitten.
- 25 minTotal time
- 195°CAir fryer
- 6Serves
- Contains eggDiet
Nutrition per serving
- 350kcal
- 19.7 gprotein
- 18.4 gcarbs
- 21.5 gfat
- 0.8 gfibre
Per serving, about 6 servings. Figures are estimates from standard ingredient databases, not medical, dietetic, or nutritional advice.
Ingredients
- Cooked mac and cheese2 cups, chilled
- Breadcrumbs1 cup
- Plain flour1/2 cup
- Egg2
- Grated parmesan1/4 cup
Method
Chill the mac
Use thick, cold mac and cheese straight from the fridge so it holds its shape. Warm or runny pasta will collapse the moment it hits the heat.
Roll into balls
Scoop tablespoon portions and press them firmly into compact balls. Squeezing out air pockets stops them cracking open while cooking.
Set up coating
Line up three bowls of flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan. This classic order builds a sealed, even crust.
Double bread
Roll each ball through flour, egg, then crumbs, and repeat the egg and crumb step for extra armour. The second coat keeps the molten centre locked in.
Mist with oil
Arrange the balls in a single layer and spray them lightly all over with oil. The oil is what turns the breadcrumbs deep golden instead of pale.
Air-fry until crisp
Air-fry at 195C for 10 minutes, turning halfway through for even colour. They are ready when the shells are crunchy and the centres steam softly.
