Mac and cheese is already packed with the elements it needs to build a crispy, browned crust, no breading necessary. You will definitely like this.
While savouring my air-fried mac and cheese nuggets, the term that constantly crosses my mind is “Cheez-Its.” The combination of the crispy coating and the rich cheddar flavor is an exact match. This snack ranks as one of the easiest and most satisfying I’ve ever prepared. Think of it as an early Air Fryday treat.
Macaroni and cheese, akin to dishes such as potatoes au gratin or oatmeal, is rich in starch. Upon cooling, the starches in these foods undergo retrogradation, thickening and setting, resulting in the firm texture of leftover pasta. When these cold, gelatinized starches combine with saturated fats, as found in melted cheese, the result is a dense structure resembling a solid brick. While you could invest effort into forming macaroni into balls, coating them with breadcrumbs, and deep frying to create fried mac and cheese balls, my approach is notably lazier. It requires no breading yet delivers an equally satisfying crunch.
How to make easiest mac & cheese bites
This technique is particularly effective if you baked your mac and cheese in a casserole dish, as it’s already tightly packed. However, if your mac and cheese was refrigerated in a bowl, that’s perfectly acceptable. The shape doesn’t make a significant difference once you cut them into pieces.
Transfer the mac and cheese onto a cutting board, slicing it into 1-inch slabs, then into sticks or cubes. Place them in a preheated 400°F (or 200 °C) air fryer with space between each piece. Air fry cubes for eight minutes, sticks for 10, until crisp and golden. Cool on a wire rack before enjoying.
These bites brown beautifully, thanks to the rich cheese content. No additional ingredients are needed for a crisp outer coating, and if you used a significant amount of cheddar, you’ll enjoy the Cheez-It flavor.
These bites have a crispy exterior and a tender interior, providing a substantial reward for minimal effort. Ideal for hand-held party snacks, I prefer them plain, but serving with a bowl of French onion dip or ketchup mayo drip is a great option. Enjoy trying !