Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
I’ve been air frying since 2017 and developing recipes for more than a decade, so trust me when I tell you the air fryer can do a whole lot more than crisp up chicken wings. This air fryer mac and cheese gives you creamy, gooey mac and cheese with a golden top and plenty of melted cheese throughout, all without heating up the whole kitchen. I’ve tested the method so you don’t end up with dry noodles or a broken, greasy cheese sauce.
Servings 10 servings
Calories 423kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or cellentani pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2-3 cups milk I often use 2 cups. Use your judgement. Start with 2 and add more if needed.
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- onion powder to taste Start with ½ teaspoon. Taste and adjust.
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese You can you whatever type of cheeses you like. Mix and match your favorite types.
- 1 cup grated parmigiano reggiano
- 2-3 cups grated gruyere cheese I like smoked gruyere.
Instructions
- I always recommend buying block cheese and grating the cheese first. this because pre-shredded cheese does not melt the same.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni or cellentani pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan or pot (I use the same one I used to cook the pasta), melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until it’s golden and smells slightly nutty. This step thickens the cheese sauce.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth. Keep whisking to avoid lumps. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in the onion powder, salt, and pepper (to taste) to season.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the half of the cheddar, parmesan, and gruyere, stirring until melted and creamy. Save a little of each cheese for topping later. Taste repeatedly. Make sure the sauce isn't bland and adjust it to suit your taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until every piece is coated in that creamy mixture.
- You can use any oven-safe dish or pan that will fit in your air fryer. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the pan or dish. Sprinkle with a layer of the remaining cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan cheese. Add the rest of the pasta and finish with more cheese on top.
- Place the dish in the air fryer and air fry at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is gooey and bubbling. I like to air fry until the top is crisp as well.
- Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before serving so the cheese sets up just a little. Then dig in to the gooey, cheesy goodness.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 29g