This web site might include affiliate hyperlinks and promoting in order that we are able to present recipes to you. Learn my privateness coverage.

These air fryer mac and cheese balls are crunchy, gooey, and stuffed with scrumptious tacky taste! They’re certain to be successful together with your youngsters or dinner visitors, and also you’ll get this recipe requested repeatedly.

It is perhaps apparent by now, however I’m an enormous fan of my air fryer! It makes cooking so quick and is a more healthy possibility than oil frying. It’s the perfect of each worlds! You probably have an air fryer and wish to make different yummy appetizers in it, I’ve concepts for you! Strive these Crispy Air Fryer Egg Rolls, my absolute favourite Air Fryer Fried Pickles, and these crunchy and flavorful Air Fryer Cream Cheese Wontons.

A speckles, white bowl filled with Mac and cheese balls. One of them is broken open so that you can see the inside.

Mac and Cheese Balls Recipe

This recipe is the final word approach to make use of up leftover mac and cheese. Everyone knows that next-day macaroni and cheese doesn’t style nearly as good as a result of it’s so laborious to reheat. Right here is the right resolution! This scrumptious recipe wants refrigerated mac as a result of they’ll simply kind into balls. After you kind it into balls, you then coat it in a scrumptious crust created from eggs, breadcrumbs, and a delicious mix of seasonings. You warmth them up within the air fryer, and so they develop into the final word leftover hack!

Earlier than inserting them within the air fryer, it will be important that you simply place the balls on a pan within the freezer for about 20 minutes to harden. They need to be stiff in order that they gained’t collapse within the air fryer. This recipe is so enjoyable to make and can flip right into a household favourite appetizer or snack!

Earlier than You Begin!

Once you make this recipe, you will want leftover macaroni and cheese. It’s necessary that it has had time to relax contained in the fridge to allow them to be simply shaped into balls. It is usually necessary that you simply use the fitting sort of mac to ensure the right tacky chew! My favourite selfmade recipe is that this straightforward and tremendous tacky Baked Macaroni and Cheese. Or, as an alternative of a conventional mac and cheese recipe, you would swap it up and make them fancy with my Unimaginable Lobster Mac and Cheese or make them low carb with this yummy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese! Your favourite store-bought model may even work nice. You may additionally make this recipe gluten-free through the use of gluten-free noodles and bread crumbs!

In case you determine to make the mac the identical day, be sure that it has time to relax and harden within the fridge correctly. I like to recommend making it beforehand and refrigerating for not less than 4 hours to make sure that your mac will simply kind right into a ball and keep collectively!

Elements in Mac and Cheese Balls

Here’s what you will want to make these mac and cheese balls. Swap up the seasonings to create totally different taste profiles that your loved ones will love! Take a look at the recipe card on the backside of the submit for precise measurements.

  • Leftover Macaroni and Cheese: You’ll use leftover macaroni and cheese for this recipe. Be certain that it has chilled within the fridge for not less than 4 hours earlier than you utilize it.
  • Eggs: I used giant eggs on this recipe.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: I combined the seasonings listed under with the breadcrumbs to make a scrumptious and flavorful crust!
  • Salt: Add salt to style. The macaroni already has salt in it so that you most likely gained’t want an excessive amount of additional!
  • Garlic Powder: You have to use dry seasonings in order that the flavors can mix evenly with the breadcrumbs.
  • Smoked Paprika: This seasoning provides a pop of taste that you’d miss should you disregarded!
  • Dried Italian Seasoning: You should purchase this on the retailer or make this at residence utilizing this straightforward recipe.
4 pictures showing how to roll your Mac and cheese into balls, dip them in the breadcrumb mixture and add them to an air fryer basket.

Making the Mac and Cheese Balls

Since your macaroni is already ready then you’ll be able to whip these up in simply quarter-hour! I like my air fryer as a result of it makes cooking so easy. In case you don’t have an air fryer, don’t fear! Scroll right down to see my suggestions for baking or pan-frying.

  1. Type Balls: As soon as your mac and cheese is chilly and chilled, use your fingers to kind balls which are about two tablespoons per ball. I used to be in a position to get about 15 balls utilizing 4 cups of mac and cheese.
  2. Freeze: Place shaped balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill within the freezer for about 20 minutes. The balls must be agency, however not frozen.
  3. Make Coating: To a medium-sized bowl, add the panko bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir till mixed.
  4. Whisk: To a different medium-sized bowl, crack the eggs and whisk with a fork.
  5. Coat: Roll the chilled mac n cheese balls within the whisked egg, then roll the ball round within the panko combination till utterly coated. Then you’ll be able to repeat the method till all of the balls are coated.
  6. Spray: Place the coated mac and cheese balls within the basket of the air fryer in a single layer. Flippantly spray the balls with non-stick cooking spray to assist crisp them up.
  7. Cook dinner: Cook dinner within the air fryer at 380 levels Fahrenheit for six minutes. Open the air fryer and flip the mac and cheese balls. Spray the opposite aspect with non-stick cooking spray and proceed to cook dinner for an extra 6 minutes or till golden brown on all sides.
Cooked mac and cheese balls in an air fryer basket.

Add a Favourite Dipping Sauce!

These ooey gooey mac and cheese balls are scrumptious on their very own however may be taken to the subsequent degree with an excellent dip. Listed here are a few of my household’s favorites!

  • BBQ Sauce: That is my youngsters’ favourite. BBQ sauce goes nice with these tacky bites and provides a tangy and smoky taste that can make your mouth water!
  • Ranch Dressing: I promise these two have been made for one another. You gained’t remorse making this selfmade ranch dressing to associate with them!
  • Fry Sauce: This basic mayo-based sauce is tangy due to the Worcestershire sauce and pickle brine. It’s surprisingly scrumptious and an ideal approach to brighten up these mac and cheese balls!

Someone holding a Mac and cheese ball that is broken in half.

Bake or Pan Fry Choices:

It’s okay should you don’t have an air fryer. I can’t let you know how a lot I like mine, so I extremely advocate getting one sometime! These scrumptious mac and cheese balls are nice baked or pan-fried! Comply with the directions under should you don’t have an air fryer…they’ll be simply as yummy!

  • Bake: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and warmth your oven to 425 levels Fahrenheit. Place the coated mac and cheese balls on the pan and spray the balls with olive oil cooking spray. Bake for about 8-10 minutes. Flip the balls over, spray with further olive oil spray and bake for 5-10 minutes, or till browned and golden. 
  • Pan-Fried: Warmth a big skillet to medium-high warmth. Add some canola oil and warmth till good and sizzling. Add the coated mac and cheese balls to the recent skillet and cook dinner till evenly golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Switch to a paper towel-lined plate.

A bowl of Mac and cheese balls, one on top that is broken open.

Tips on how to Retailer Leftovers

These air fryer mac and cheese balls are higher contemporary, however should you do have leftovers, right here is how one can retailer them.

  • Within the Fridge: As soon as cooled, I like to recommend storing these wrapped in foil and inserting them within the fridge for not than 2-3 days. If they’re saved in an air-tight container, they’ll get soggy and mushy.
  • To Reheat: Place the mac and cheese balls on a baking pan, leaving them wrapped within the foil, after which put them within the oven at 325 levels till heat within the heart. Once you use foil, it is going to assist them reheat evenly. In case you reheat these within the microwave, the surface will get mushy as an alternative of crunchy.


  • As soon as your mac and cheese is chilly and chilled, use your fingers to kind balls which are about two tablespoons per ball. I used to be in a position to get about 15 balls utilizing 4 cups of mac and cheese.

  • Place shaped balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill within the freezer for about 20 minutes. The balls must be agency however not frozen.

  • Add the panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and paprika to a medium-sized bowl. Stir till mixed.

  • To a different medium-sized bowl, crack the eggs and whisk with a fork.

  • Roll the chilled mac and cheese balls within the whisked egg, then roll the ball round within the panko combination till utterly coated. Repeat the method till all of the balls are coated.

  • Place the coated mac and cheese balls within the air fryer basket. Flippantly spray the balls with non-stick cooking spray to assist crisp them up.

  • Cook dinner within the air fryer at 380° Fahrenheit for six minutes. Open the air fryer and flip the mac and cheese balls. Spray the opposite aspect with non-stick cooking spray and proceed to cook dinner for an extra 6 minutes or till golden brown on all sides.



Serves: 15

Serving3ballsEnergy237kcal (12%)Carbohydrates33g (11%)Protein9g (18%)Fats8g (12%)Saturated Fats0.3g (2%)Polyunsaturated Fats0.2gMonounsaturated Fats0.3gTrans Fats0.003gLdl cholesterol25mg (8%)Sodium600mg (25%)Potassium145mg (4%)Fiber0.3g (1%)Sugar0.3gVitamin A55IU (1%)Vitamin C0.005mgCalcium105mg (11%)Iron2mg (11%)

All dietary info relies on third occasion calculations and is just an estimate. Every recipe and dietary worth will range relying on the manufacturers you utilize, measuring strategies and portion sizes per family.

Course Appetizer, Facet Dish

Delicacies American

Key phrase mac and cheese balls