Best 2 Air Fryer Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

Macaroni and cheese, a classic American comfort food, is elevated to new heights when prepared in an air fryer. This innovative cooking method results in a crispy golden brown crust encasing tender, gooey macaroni and cheese.

Savor the ultimate indulgence with our collection of air fryer macaroni and cheese recipes, catering to various dietary preferences and taste buds. From the classic recipe featuring a luscious blend of cheddar and Parmesan cheeses to the healthier version made with whole wheat macaroni and low-fat milk, there's something for everyone.

Craving a touch of sophistication? Try our gourmet air fryer macaroni and cheese, where Gruyère and fontina cheeses create a symphony of flavors. For a spicy kick, venture into the world of buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese, a delightful combination of creamy cheese sauce, tender macaroni, and succulent buffalo chicken.

Vegetarians and vegans, rejoice! Our air fryer macaroni and cheese recipes include a delectable plant-based version, featuring a creamy cashew sauce and a medley of roasted vegetables. And for those with gluten sensitivities, our gluten-free air fryer macaroni and cheese offers a satisfying alternative, using gluten-free pasta and a creamy cheese sauce made with almond milk.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

AIR FRYER MAC AND CHEESE BALLS

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls image

These little mac and cheese balls make great little appetizers or finger food. Kids love them!

Provided by Yoly

Categories Appetizers and Snacks Pasta Appetizer Recipes

Time 3h25m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

6 cups water
1 (7.25 ounce) package macaroni and cheese dinner mix (such as Kraft®)
¼ cup milk
4 tablespoons margarine
¾ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
nonstick cooking spray
½ cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 eggs, beaten

Steps:

Pour water into a bowl and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in macaroni pasta from dinner package. Cook until tender, stirring occasionally, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain; do not rinse. Return to the pot and stir in included cheese sauce, milk, and margarine. Add Cheddar cheese and stir until well combined and cheese is melted.
Refrigerate macaroni and cheese until firm, 2 hours to overnight.
Scoop macaroni and cheese into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Freeze for 1 hour.
Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions. Spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
Mix panko, bread crumbs, salt, and garlic powder together in a medium bowl. Dip each ball in beaten eggs and then in panko mixture.
Place mac and cheese balls into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching; cook in batches if necessary.
Cook in the preheated air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes. Turn over and fry until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 87.2 calories, Carbohydrate 9.3 g, Cholesterol 21.4 mg, Fat 4.2 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 3.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 227.4 mg, Sugar 1.2 g

AIR FRYER MAC AND CHEESE WITH BACON

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese with Bacon image

I made this air fryer mac 'n' cheese to go with my leftover smoked pot roast! It is now the only way I'm making mac 'n' cheese. This makes about 4 servings and it was so good!

Provided by Ash's In The Kitchen

Categories Macaroni and Cheese

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 ½ cups elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons bacon grease
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon flour
1 ½ cups milk
1 tablespoon crumbled cooked bacon
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
¼ cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ grated Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
¼ cup ricotta cheese
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
olive oil cooking spray

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until almost firm to the bite, about 6 minutes. Drain.
Meanwhile, melt bacon grease in a small cast iron skillet that fits in your air fryer over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir flour into the hot bacon grease until golden brown, making a roux. Slowly whisk in milk and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in bacon and Italian herbs. Mix in Cheddar, Parmesan, Colby-Monterey Jack, and ricotta cheeses, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until cheese has melted, about 3 minutes.
Preheat an air fryer to 390 degrees F (195 degrees C).
Fold pasta into the cheese sauce and top with bread crumbs. Spritz with olive oil and pat down to minimize fly-away crumbs.
Air-fry until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling up at the edge of the skillet, about 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 464.6 calories, Carbohydrate 58.9 g, Cholesterol 33.8 mg, Fat 16.5 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 18.8 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 322.4 mg

Tips:

Use the right pasta. Smaller pasta shapes like elbow macaroni, penne, or rotini work best for air fryer macaroni and cheese. Larger shapes like spaghetti or linguine will take longer to cook and may not cook evenly.
Cook the pasta al dente. The pasta should still have a slight bite to it when you drain it. This will help prevent it from becoming overcooked and mushy in the air fryer.
Use a good quality cheese. The cheese is the main ingredient in macaroni and cheese, so it's important to use a good quality cheese that melts well. Cheddar is a classic choice, but you can also use other cheeses like mozzarella, Parmesan, or Gruyère.
Add flavorings and spices. You can add flavorings and spices to your macaroni and cheese to taste. Some popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
Use an air fryer basket or silicone mold. If you don't have an air fryer basket, you can use a silicone mold to make macaroni and cheese in the air fryer. Just be sure to grease the mold before adding the pasta and cheese.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Overcrowding the air fryer basket will prevent the macaroni and cheese from cooking evenly. Make sure to leave some space between the pieces of pasta so that the air can circulate.
Cook the macaroni and cheese in batches if necessary. If you're making a large batch of macaroni and cheese, you may need to cook it in batches. Just be sure to cook each batch for the same amount of time so that it all cooks evenly.

Conclusion:

Air fryer macaroni and cheese is a quick and easy way to make a classic comfort food. With just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes in the air fryer, you can have a delicious and cheesy meal that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give air fryer macaroni and cheese a try!