15-20 cheese ballsair fryair fryer recipe

Air-Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

By Instant Pot Culinary Team

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15-20 cheese balls

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more than 2 hours

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Easy

Air-Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
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Recipe Details

Course: Appetizers, Side Dish, Snacks

Difficulty: Easy

Total Time: more than 2 hours

Cooking Technique: Air Fry

Cuisine: American, American

Yield: 15-20 cheese balls

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups macaroni
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup cream cheese
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • Salt, as needed
  • Black pepper, as needed
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • Cooking oil spray

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cook the macaroni to al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Blend in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the milk while whisking consistently. Once the milk is incorporated, add the cream cheese and the cheddar cheese, and stir continuously until the cheese is melted and incorporated into the sauce. Season to taste.
  3. Allow the sauce to cool down, then mix in the macaroni. Shape into balls, do the first coating of panko. Freeze overnight.
  4. Remove from freezer.  Set 3 medium bowls: The first one with the beaten eggs, the second one with flour seasoned with a pinch of salt, pepper and the garlic powder, and the third one with the panko.
  5. Dip the  mac and cheese balls in the flour first, then in the eggs and then roll them in the panko. Place the balls in the cooking tray and spray them with non-stick cooking spray oil.
  6. Place the tray on the Air Fryer. Close the Omni, select  Air Fry and set the temperature to  400°F / 205°C for 15 minutes. Press Start.
  7. When the program ends, transfer the mac and cheese balls to a serving plate.  Serve and enjoy!

About the chef

Instant Pot® Culinary Team

Instant Pot® Culinary Team

When life’s moving fast and dinner needs to happen faster, the Instant Pot Culinary Team is here to make it deliciously doable. We cook up recipes for every Instant Pot appliance you’ve got your hands on—so whether you’re tackling Tuesday night or going all-out for the weekend, you’ll have the flavor without the fuss. No overthinking, no babysitting, just good food that works with your schedule (not against it).

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