Air fryer mac and cheese
Mac and cheese…but x2 speed
Oven-baked pasta dishes add that deliciously melted cheesiness throughout with a crusty top for a bit of texture. But why not do that bit in the air fryer from now on? It speeds up the process, and the results are just as good. Team air fryer!
Tell me more about the cheese…
If a super speedy homemade mac and cheese didn’t clinch the deal, what if I told you it’s got a mix of mozzarella, double Gloucester, extra-mature cheddar and parmesan? I picked a mixture of punchy flavours and melty textures to give you everything you want in a classic mac and cheese dish. Let’s not forget the panko breadcrumbs too for that added CRUNCH.
Why use an air fryer? Will it fit?
If your air fryer is compact, you can simply distribute your ooey gooey mac n cheese mixture into separate small dishes and cook in batches. I like to do this so I can eat another portion at a later date, or if I’m going for two or less people.
Now, the main reason I use an air fryer in this recipe is that if you’re not going to fill up your oven, then why not save a little energy and use the air fryer instead? Plus, it’s quicker to heat up and cooks super fast, so you’re ultimately saving precious time. No more waiting 20 mins just for the oven to reach temperature.
How to serve and what with?
I’d either serve this as a main dish, as a side with something delicious like some air-fried breaded chicken, or…have you ever tried Mac and cheese alongside a roast dinner? A wonder from across the pond, and trust me, it’s delicious!
Have you got more air fryer recipes?
I have a full bloomin book of them – Poppy Cooks: The Actually Delicious Air Fryer Cookbook. Not only is this book a Sunday Times bestseller, but it’s amazing for mastering the basics when it comes to air frying. So alongside learning how to boil an egg or cook your favourite meats in an air fryer, you can also find recipes for full-on dinners, delicious desserts, tasty snacks and beautiful sides. Air fryers are wonderful appliances, and if you’re only cooking chicken nuggets and chips, you need this recipe book in your life.
If you’re not sure about grabbing a new cookbook, you can find exclusive air fryer recipes and many more right HERE.
Air fryer mac and cheese
By Poppy Cooks
https://www.poppycooks.com/recipes/air-fryer-mac-and-cheese/
Ingredients
- 50g butter
- 70g plain flour
- 500ml whole milk
- 100g extra-mature cheddar, grated
- 150g double Gloucester, grated
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
- Pinch of ground white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 300g dried macaroni
- 1 x 125g ball of mozzarella
- 50g panko breadcrumbs
- 90g parmesan, grated
Metric
Imperial
Instructions
- Warm the milk in a saucepan on a low-medium heat, or in a jug in the microwave.
- In a second small-ish saucepan on a low-medium heat, melt the butter and gradually beat in the flour. You don't want this to start browning, so if you're worried about the temp, just take if off the heat while you add in the flour to slow things down a little.
- Cook out the flour until the mixture has come to a dough-like consistency and is coming away from the pan (this prevents that tacky, floury texture you can get sometimes with flour in sauces.)
- Little by little, add the warmed up milk, making sure you allow each addition to fully incorporate into the sauce before adding more. Keep stirring to avoid lumps (switch to a balloon whisk if you need to) and cook over a medium heat for 3 mins to get al lovely and thick. Add the grated cheddar and double Gloucester, season with the nutmeg, white pepper and salt and set aside.
- Tip the macaroni into a pan of boiling salted water, stirring a couple of times to prevent it all sticking together, and leave it to cook for 8 mins, until its al dente. You don't want to cook it all the way as it will carry on cooking in the oven.
- Heat the air fryer to 180c/350f.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the sauce, stirring to coat it completely. Pour a layer of the cheesy Mac into a baking dish that fits in your air fryer, not filling all the way, then tear up the mozzarella ball and add this on top. Pour the rest of the cheesy Mac over the top.
- Sprinkle over the breadcrumbs and Parmesan and then get it into the air fryer for 15-20 mins to turn golden, gooey and crunchy.