Golden Air Fryer Cheese Balls

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Here’s my go-to recipe for air fryer cheese balls – they’re crispy on the outside, wonderfully melty on the inside, and so much easier to make than the deep-fried version. These little bites of cheesy goodness use simple pantry ingredients and come together in just minutes.

My kids ask for these cheese balls at least twice a month for our movie nights. I usually make a double batch because they disappear so quickly – and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love having leftover cheese balls for a quick afternoon snack?

What Kind of Mozzarella Should I Use?

For this recipe, string cheese (those individual mozzarella sticks you might pack in lunch boxes) works perfectly and is super convenient since they’re already portioned. Regular block mozzarella cut into sticks will work too, but avoid using fresh mozzarella balls as they contain too much moisture and can get messy. String cheese is ideal because it has a lower moisture content and holds its shape well during cooking. Just make sure your cheese is cold when you start working with it – this helps prevent premature melting during the breading process and gives you better control when you’re coating the pieces.

Options for Substitutions

Need to make some swaps? Here are some helpful substitutions for this cheese ball recipe:

• Mozzarella sticks: While mozzarella gives that classic stretchy cheese pull, you can try other cheese sticks like cheddar, pepper jack, or string cheese. Just keep in mind that different cheeses melt at different rates.
• Panko breadcrumbs: Regular breadcrumbs work fine, or try crushed cornflakes or crushed crackers for extra crunch. If you’re going low-carb, crushed pork rinds make a good substitute.
• Italian seasoning: Out of Italian seasoning? Mix equal parts dried basil, oregano, and thyme. Or simply use your favorite dried herbs.
• Eggs: For a vegan version, try using 1/4 cup of plant-based milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken before using.
• Regular flour: All-purpose, whole wheat, or gluten-free flour blends all work here. Just make sure it’s a flour that can coat the cheese well.
• Marinara sauce: Try ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or even honey mustard as alternative dipping sauces. Each brings its own tasty twist to the dish.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Air Frying

The biggest challenge when making air fryer cheese balls is preventing the cheese from oozing out during cooking – to avoid this, make sure your cheese sticks are frozen solid for at least 2 hours before starting, and work quickly when coating them.

Another common mistake is not double-coating the cheese balls; for the best results, dip each ball in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, and repeat the egg and breadcrumb layers for an extra-crispy shell that keeps the cheese contained.

The temperature setting is crucial – if your air fryer is too hot, the outside will burn before the breading sets, so stick to 375°F and don’t forget to spray the coated cheese balls with oil for that golden-brown finish.

Let them rest for 1-2 minutes after cooking (I know it’s tempting to bite right in!), as the molten cheese inside needs time to set slightly, preventing burnt tongues and allowing the breading to crisp up even more.

What to Serve With Cheese Balls?

These crispy cheese balls are perfect as an appetizer or snack, but you can easily turn them into a complete meal with a few simple sides. A fresh green salad with Italian dressing helps balance out the richness of the cheese and adds a nice crunch. If you’re serving these as part of a game day spread, they go great alongside other finger foods like chicken wings, potato skins, or veggie sticks with ranch dip. For a casual dinner, serve them with a side of spaghetti and extra marinara sauce – the kids especially love this combo!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These cheesy bites are best enjoyed right after cooking when they’re hot and the cheese is perfectly melted. If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just know they won’t be quite as crispy as when fresh!

Make Ahead: You can prep these cheese balls ahead of time! Bread them completely, place on a baking sheet, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking. This is super handy when you’re planning to serve them for a party or game day gathering.

Warm Up: To get the best texture when reheating, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. The microwave works too, but the coating won’t be as crispy. If you’re reheating from the fridge, let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes first.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	8-10 minutes
Total Time	23-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-950
• Protein: 40-50 g
• Fat: 50-60 g
• Carbohydrates: 70-80 g

Ingredients

• 6 mozzarella cheese sticks
• 1/4 cup regular flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup panko or regular breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Olive oil or your choice of cooking spray
• Warmed marinara or your preferred dipping sauce

Step 1: Prepare the Cheese Pieces

Start by cutting each cheese stick into 4 even pieces, creating a total of 24 cheese pieces.

This will ensure uniform cooking and make them easy to manage during the coating process.

Step 2: Set Up the Coating Station

Create an assembly line with three separate bowls.

In the first bowl, place the flour.

In the second bowl, whisk the eggs together with 2 teaspoons of water.

In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs or panko with Italian herbs and a pinch of salt.

Make sure each bowl is ready and accessible for coating the cheese pieces.

Step 3: Coat the Cheese Pieces

Begin the coating process by taking a cheese cube and dipping it into the flour, tapping off any excess.

Next, dip the floured cheese cube into the egg mixture, ensuring it is evenly coated.

Finally, coat the cheese cube thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture.

Once coated, place the cheese cube in the air fryer basket.

Repeat this process for all the remaining cheese cubes.

Step 4: Cook the Cheese Cubes

After all the cheese cubes are placed in the air fryer basket, lightly coat them with cooking spray.

Cook the cheese cubes in the air fryer at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or until they become golden and crispy.

Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking or cheese leakage.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once cooked to perfection, remove the cheese cubes from the air fryer.

Serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

These crispy cheese bites are perfect for a snack or appetizer, sure to be a hit at any gathering!