Air fryer crispy feta bites with salsa

Crispy, cheesy, melty goodness 

If you’re not using your air fryer to whack out delicious snack plates, what are you doing?!

These crispy feta bites are a little bit addictive. They take barely any effort and require just a handful of ingredients. The outside goes beautifully golden and crunchy, while the feta inside turns soft and salty in the best possible way. I am a salty-snack kinda gal, so these are heavenly.  

With it being summer and unseasonably hot in the UK, I’m team salsa as my dip of choice. But these are also delicious served with sweet chilli, hot honey or buffalo sauce. 

Serve them up as part of a picky tea, alongside a BBQ spread or just as a film night snack for one. Make more than you think you’ll need though…

Why the air fryer?

These kinda recipes are literally perfect for the air fryer. The hot circulating air crisps the breadcrumbs without needing loads of oil, giving you that deep-fried crunch. It also means you don’t have to heat a whole oven just for a quick snack, and as these are best enjoyed hot, you can cook in small batches. No keeping the oven on for longer periods of time. 

What can I serve these with?

These little beauties are perfect as a snack but if you want something a bit more hearty, these work well on a charcuterie board alongside…

Serve them with:

• olives
• hummus
• flatbreads
• roasted peppers
• extra cheeses 
• stuffed chillis 

What other snacks can I make in the air fryer?

If you’re firmly in your air fryer era (same), then you’ll definitely want to try some of my other faves…

Air fried gnocchi is ridiculously good, my air fryer chips never fail, and if you’ve got room afterwards, treat yourself to one, two or a few chocolate chip cookies. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth when it comes to that air fryer. 

FAQs

Can I use halloumi instead of feta?

Do both! Halloumi works well using exactly the same coating and cooking method. It’ll give you more of a chewy, squeaky centre rather than the creamy texture you get from feta, but just as tasty so why not go with both options…

Can I deep fry these instead?

Yessss. You can either shallow fry or deep fry them in hot oil until they’re golden brown and crispy. Just keep an eye on them as they’ll cook quicker than in the air fryer.

Can I make these ahead of time?

You can breadcrumb the feta a few hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. They’re definitely at their best served hot and crispy straight from the air fryer though.

What’s the best feta to use?

A firm block of feta works best as it holds its shape during cooking. Avoid pre-crumbled feta, as it won’t stay together once coated. Give it a pat dry before using. 

Can I make these gluten free?

Yep. Swap the plain flour and panko breadcrumbs for a gluten-free alternative.

Can I make them spicier?

Add extra chilli flakes to the flour, stir some cayenne pepper into the breadcrumbs or serve with buffalo sauce or hot honey for an extra kick.

Can I freeze them?

I wouldn’t recommend freezing once cooked as the feta can lose some of its lovely creamy texture. They’re so quick to make fresh that it’s worth doing them on the day.

Can I use different breadcrumbs?

Panko gives the crispiest finish, but regular breadcrumbs work too. You could even stir a little grated parmesan or your favourite seasoning into the breadcrumbs for extra flavour.