Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

Why You Need to Try This Recipe

Let’s be real—who doesn’t love mac and cheese? It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s already pretty fantastic on its own. But when you take that creamy goodness, roll it into balls, and give it an air-fried crisp, you’ve reached a whole new level of deliciousness. And you know what? You can feel a little less guilty about indulging since they’re air-fried. Win-win!

Plus, these bad boys make for the perfect appetizer or snack for your next gathering (or a cozy night in). Picture this: gooey, cheesy centers wrapped in a crunchy coating. Yes, please! 🎉

How to Make Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

Get ready for the simplest mac and cheese transformation of your life. This recipe takes a little time, but you’ll be chillin’ with your homemade snack sooner than you think. Here’s how it breaks down:

1. Start by cooking your elbow macaroni. Drain it and set it aside.
2. Make the cheese sauce: Melt butter, add flour, and whisk away until you have a roux. Pour in milk and whisk until smooth, then add your seasoning and cheese!
3. Combine that cheesy goodness with the cooked macaroni and let it cool.
4. Form the balls: Roll small portions into balls and get them ready for the breading process.
5. Bread and spray: Coat the balls in egg and then in a crunchy breadcrumb mixture. Give them a spritz of vegetable oil before air frying.
6. Lastly, air fry them until golden brown.

Easy, right? 💪

Ingredients

• 1 cup elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil for spraying

Directions

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 and whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
4. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to avoid lumps.
5. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes until it thickens.
6. Stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan until smooth.
7. Remove from heat, add the cooked macaroni, and stir until coated.
8. Let cool for about 15-20 minutes.
9. Form small balls with the mixture and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
10. In a shallow dish, whisk the egg. In another, combine bread crumbs and panko.
11. Roll each ball in egg, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture.
12. Place them back on the baking sheet and spray lightly with vegetable oil.
13. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
14. Arrange macaroni balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
15. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
16. Let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce!

How to Serve Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

Serve them hot and fresh from the air fryer. Dip them in your favorite sauces; ranch, marinara, or even a tangy buffalo dip can bring them to life. Arrange them on a platter and watch them vanish—seriously, you might need to hide a few for yourself. Trust me; they’re that good!

How to Store Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

Got leftovers? You lucky duck! Store your mac and cheese balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain that crispy exterior. You might just feel like you made them from scratch all over again! 😉

Tips to Make Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

• Chill your mixture: Letting the mac and cheese mixture cool and set helps your balls hold their shape during frying.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: This gives each ball enough space to become perfectly crispy.
• Experiment with dips: Add some fun and flavor with different sauces for dipping. You can go classic or adventurous!

Variation

Feeling wild? You can add some diced bacon or jalapeños right into the mac and cheese mixture for a flavor twist. You do you! 🎉

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! If you have cheddar or pepper jack hanging around, feel free to swap them in for a cheesy kick.

2. Can I freeze these?
Yes! Freeze them before air frying. When you’re ready to enjoy, air fry them directly from frozen—just add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.

3. What dipping sauces work best?
Ranch and marinara are classics, but you can get creative with honey mustard, sriracha mayo, or even a simple garlic aioli. The world is your dipping oyster!

With this guide, you’re all set to create a snack that’s crispy, cheesy, and oh-so-addicting. Get your air fryer firing, and let the cheesy goodness begin! 😋

Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

Delicious air-fried mac and cheese balls are the perfect appetizer or snack, featuring gooey cheese centers with a crispy coating.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 12 balls

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the macaroni and cheese

• 1 cup elbow macaroni Cook according to package instructions
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour Plus extra for breading
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the breading

• 1 large egg For coating
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour For coating

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the flour and whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
• Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to avoid lumps.
• Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes until it thickens.
• Stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan until smooth.
• Remove from heat, add the cooked macaroni, and stir until coated.
• Let cool for about 15-20 minutes.

Breading and Cooking

• Form small balls with the mixture and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• In a shallow dish, whisk the egg. In another dish, combine bread crumbs and panko.
• Roll each ball in egg, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture.
• Place them back on the baking sheet and spray lightly with vegetable oil.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
• Arrange macaroni balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
• Let them cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Serve with your favorite sauces such as ranch, marinara, or a tangy buffalo dip. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Keyword Air Fryer, cheesy snack, comfort food, fried macaroni, mac and cheese