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Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

Crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, these Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls are a quick and delicious snack or appetizer perfect for any gathering.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Macaroni and Cheese Mixture
  • 1 cup elbow macaroni
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour for making roux
  • 1.25 cups milk
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Coating
  • 1 large egg
  • 0.5 cup bread crumbs
  • 0.5 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 spray Vegetable oil for spraying

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  3. Add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the melted butter and whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
  4. Slowly pour in 1 1/4 cups of milk while whisking to avoid lumps.
  5. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the milk mixture and whisk until smooth.
  6. Allow the mixture to simmer for 3-4 minutes, until it thickens slightly.
  7. Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese until completely melted and smooth.
  8. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the cooked elbow macaroni, making sure it’s nicely coated in the cheese sauce.
  9. Let the macaroni and cheese mixture cool for about 15-20 minutes.
Forming the Balls
  1. Once cooled, scoop small portions of the macaroni mixture and form them into balls with your hands.
  2. Place the macaroni balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. In a shallow dish, whisk the large egg until fully beaten.
  4. In another shallow dish, mix the bread crumbs and panko bread crumbs together.
  5. Roll each macaroni ball first in the egg, then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring each ball is fully covered.
  6. Place the breaded macaroni balls back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
  7. Spray each ball lightly with vegetable oil to help them crisp up while cooking.
Cooking
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Arrange the breaded macaroni balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren’t touching.
  3. Cook the balls in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  4. Carefully remove the macaroni and cheese balls from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce like marinara, ranch, or spicy ketchup. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen before frying.