Easy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (7.25 ounce) package macaroni and cheese dinner mix (such as Kraft®)
• 0.25 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons margarine
• 0.75 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• nonstick cooking spray
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 0.5 cup panko bread crumbs
• 0.5 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. Boil macaroni pasta in a large pot until tender, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
2. Combine cheese sauce, milk, margarine, and Cheddar cheese with the cooked pasta. Stir until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to firm up.
3. Scoop the chilled mac and cheese into 1 1/2-inch balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 1 hour.
4. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) following the manufacturer's directions. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
5. In one bowl, place the beaten eggs. In a separate shallow bowl, combine panko, bread crumbs, salt, and garlic powder.
6. Dip each frozen mac and cheese ball into the beaten eggs, then coat it thoroughly with the bread crumb mixture. Arrange the coated balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. You may need to cook them in batches.
7. Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Nutrition

• Calories: 87 kcal
• Fat Content: 4 g
• Fiber Content: 0 g
• Sugar Content: 1 g
• Sodium Content: 227 mg
• Protein Content: 4 g
• Cholesterol Content: 21 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 9 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g