Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

The crispy golden exterior gives way to a creamy, melty interior that’s a perfect bite of comfort. Every time you sink your teeth into one of these Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls, it’s like a little party in your mouth. The outside, perfectly crunchy from the air fryer’s magic, holds in all that gooey, cheesy goodness, making each ball incredibly satisfying. The balance between the warm, soft macaroni and cheese filling and the crisp crust is something you won’t forget quickly—every bite is the perfect combination of textures.

What I love most about these macaroni and cheese balls is that they offer a bite-sized version of that comforting mac and cheese you know and love, but with a twist. The air fryer makes them lighter than traditional frying, so you don’t feel guilty about indulging in a few more than you planned. Plus, the fact that you can easily make them at home means you get to enjoy these cheesy delights anytime you’re craving that special restaurant-style treat.

You can even customize them a bit—try adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce to the filling to take these to the next level. They’re the perfect party snack, a fun side dish, or even a unique appetizer that’s bound to have everyone asking for seconds. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll be reaching for that air fryer again and again.

Key Ingredients for Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

When you’re making Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls, the key to getting that creamy, cheesy filling and crispy, golden crust lies in the ingredients. Let’s break down what each one brings to the table.

Elbow macaroni: The classic pasta choice for mac and cheese. These small, curved noodles hold the creamy cheese sauce perfectly, making every bite satisfying.

Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the cheese sauce, helping everything come together smoothly and giving a luxurious texture.

All-purpose flour: Used in the roux to thicken the cheese sauce, ensuring it has that velvety consistency that makes these mac and cheese balls so irresistible.

Milk: Helps create a creamy base for the cheese sauce. The milk also ensures the sauce is smooth and not too thick, which is key for coating the pasta.

Garlic powder: A subtle yet essential flavor boost, infusing the sauce with a warm, aromatic undertone that makes each bite more flavorful.

Onion powder: Works alongside the garlic powder to round out the flavor of the cheese sauce with a savory depth that makes these mac and cheese balls so comforting.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dish, ensuring that every bite is perfectly seasoned.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and balance to the cheese sauce, giving it a little kick without overpowering the creamy goodness.

Shredded mozzarella cheese: This melty, stringy cheese gives the mac and cheese its signature gooey, melty texture that you just can’t get enough of.

Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor that complements the mozzarella, balancing out the richness and giving the filling an extra burst of flavor.

Large egg: Acts as a binding agent for the mac and cheese filling, helping it hold together when you shape the balls and fry them.

Bread crumbs: Provide a slight crunch and texture to the outer layer, helping to form that golden crust when air fried.

Panko bread crumbs: These light, flaky crumbs add extra crispiness to the outside of the mac and cheese balls, giving them that perfect crunch.

All-purpose flour: Used for dredging the balls before they hit the air fryer, helping them crisp up nicely and hold their shape.

Vegetable oil for spraying: A light mist of oil is all it takes to get that golden, crispy exterior from the air fryer, without deep frying.

How to Make Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

Serving Suggestions for Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

Pair with a Zesty Marinara Sauce

There’s something magical about the combination of gooey mac and cheese and tangy marinara. The rich, savory flavor of the cheese balls pairs perfectly with the bright acidity of a homemade or store-bought marinara sauce. Whether you dip or drizzle, this duo will never disappoint!

Serve with a Fresh Green Salad

For a lighter touch to balance out the richness of the mac and cheese balls, a crisp green salad is the perfect sidekick. Toss in some arugula, spinach, or mixed greens with a simple lemon vinaigrette, and you’ve got a satisfying contrast that brings out the comfort food flavors even more.

Spicy Ranch for an Extra Kick

If you’re a fan of spice, you can’t go wrong with a creamy, spicy ranch dressing to dip your mac and cheese balls. The cool, creamy ranch mixed with a touch of heat creates a zesty contrast that makes each bite a flavor explosion.

Each of these serving options will elevate your air fryer fried macaroni and cheese balls, making them even more fun and irresistible!

How to Store Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

If you find yourself with leftovers (which can happen when these are just too tempting to resist), don’t worry! Storing your air fryer fried macaroni and cheese balls is easy, and they’ll still taste just as delicious when you’re ready to enjoy them again. To keep that crispy exterior and gooey inside intact, the key is to store them properly.

To start, let the macaroni and cheese balls cool completely before storing them. If you don’t, the condensation can make them soggy, and nobody wants that! Once they’re cool, place the balls in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb any extra moisture. This will help maintain their crispiness for a few days in the fridge. If you’re planning to eat them within 2-3 days, this method works wonders.

For a longer shelf life, you can freeze these little golden nuggets. Arrange the mac and cheese balls in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until they’re firm, about 1-2 hours. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just pop them back into the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 5-7 minutes to get that fresh-out-of-the-air-fryer crispiness. It’s like having them made from scratch, all over again!

If you want to keep things simple, though, just reheating them in the air fryer or oven works great. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until they’re heated through and crispy. The key is to avoid the microwave, as it’ll take away that irresistible crunch.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it! Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls—crispy, cheesy, and downright irresistible. These little bites of comfort food are the perfect way to enjoy that classic mac and cheese in a fun, bite-sized form, and the air fryer makes them lighter and easier than traditional frying. Whether you’re serving them at a party, as a side dish, or just because you’re craving something indulgent, these mac and cheese balls are sure to impress.

Remember, they’re so customizable! Add a little heat with some hot sauce or smoked paprika, dip them in marinara or spicy ranch, or even pair them with a fresh salad to balance out the richness. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong.

I’d love to hear what you think if you give this recipe a try! Did you make any fun tweaks of your own? Or do you have any questions along the way? Drop a comment, and let’s chat! Cooking should be fun, so let’s keep the conversation going.

Print Recipe

Cheesecake Factory Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

Author: Emily Roberts Courses: Appetizer

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 15 mins Rest Time 10 mins Total Time 45 mins

Calories: 450

Description

Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, these Air Fryer Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls from The Cheesecake Factory are the ultimate comfort food. Packed with cheesy, buttery goodness, every bite is pure satisfaction, with a golden, crunchy finish!

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 1 cup elbow macaroni

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 1/4 cups milk

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon onion powder

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt

• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ¹⁄₂ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 large egg

• ¹⁄₂ cup bread crumbs

• ¹⁄₂ cup panko bread crumbs

• ¹⁄₄ cup all-purpose flour

• Vegetable oil for spraying

Instructions

1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Add the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the melted butter and whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes, making a roux.
4. Slowly pour in the 1 1/4 cups of milk while whisking to avoid lumps.
5. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the milk mixture and continue to whisk until smooth.
6. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 3-4 minutes, until it thickens slightly.
7. Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
8. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the cooked elbow macaroni, stirring to coat the pasta evenly with the cheese sauce.
9. Let the macaroni and cheese mixture cool for about 15-20 minutes.
10. Once cooled, scoop small portions of the macaroni and cheese mixture and form them into ball shapes with your hands.
11. Place the formed macaroni balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate.
12. In a shallow dish, whisk the large egg until fully beaten.
13. In another shallow dish, combine the bread crumbs and panko bread crumbs.
14. Roll each macaroni and cheese ball first in the egg, then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring each ball is fully covered.
15. Place the breaded macaroni balls back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
16. Spray each ball lightly with vegetable oil to help them crisp up during cooking.
17. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
18. Arrange the breaded macaroni balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other.
19. Cook the balls in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
20. Carefully remove the macaroni and cheese balls from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
21. Serve the fried macaroni and cheese balls with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Note

• Ensure macaroni is fully cooked but firm to avoid mushiness when frying.
• For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the breadcrumb mixture.
• Let the macaroni and cheese mixture cool thoroughly to help it hold shape when forming balls.
• You can make the macaroni and cheese balls ahead of time and refrigerate them for easier handling.
• For a crispier texture, lightly spray the balls with more oil halfway through the air frying process.

Keywords: air fryer mac and cheese balls, Cheesecake Factory mac and cheese balls, fried macaroni and cheese balls recipe, air fryer fried mac and cheese, homemade mac and cheese balls