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Air Fryer Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy comfort food classic that’s ready in just minutes, making it the perfect side dish or main course for busy weeknights. As a bonus, this easy air fryer mac and cheese recipe is one of the best ways to enjoy homemade mac without turning on the oven.
If you’re craving a rich and satisfying dish that’s ready to eat in under 30 minutes, this easy, family-friendly recipe is a must-try!
“Ultra creamy and easy to make!” – Beth
Why I Love This Recipe
The next time my family craves cheesy macaroni, this is the homemade macaroni recipe I’m whipping up. When it comes to easy recipes, you literally can’t top this air fryer mac and cheese!
- Faster than the oven: Ready in under 30 minutes.
- No boiling needed: One pan for easy cleanup.
- Perfectly crispy topping: The air fryer gives it that oven-baked texture.
- Endlessly customizable: Swap cheeses or add protein.
- Family-friendly: A comfort food everyone loves!
If you’re looking for something to serve with mac and cheese, I love to serve air fryer chicken tenders, air fryer chicken cutlets, or air fryer pork chops.
Table of Contents
- Why I Love This Recipe
- What You Need:
- Recipe Ingredients:
- Mac and Cheese Variations
- How To Make Mac and Cheese in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Cooking Chart
- Tips for the Best Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
- Pairings
- Storage and Reheating
- FAQs
- More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Recipe
- 💡 Ask AI for More Ideas
Just be ready to have some leftover macaroni because the full recipe makes quite a large batch! But in my mind, this is just one more reason to make this easy air fryer recipe because it means that I’ll get to enjoy the flavor all over again!
What You Need:
- Air Fryer
- Oven safe dish that will fit into your air fryer
Recipe Ingredients:
- Elbow Macaroni: cooked just shy of al dente for best texture.
- Egg: helps the cheese sauce bind.
- Whipping cream: heavy whipping cream
- Cheddar Cheese: sharp cheddar, freshly grated is best for melting.
- Monterrey Jack:
- Italian Cheese: for a robust flavor boost.
- Mozzarella Cheese: makes it extra cheesy.
- Seasonings: garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Mac and Cheese Variations
- Make it spicy: Stir in a pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeños.
- Switch the cheese: Try adding cream cheese, Velveeta, Colby Jack, or Gouda.
- Add protein: Toss in cooked bacon bits or rotisserie chicken.
- Make it extra crunchy: Mix melted butter with breadcrumbs for a crispier top.
Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe card with the exact measurements needed to create this air-fried mac and cheese!
How To Make Mac and Cheese in the Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C) for 3-5 minutes. Lightly butter a 7-inch oven-safe pan that fits your air fryer. In a large bowl, combine cooked macaroni, egg, heavy cream, shredded cheddar, mozzarella, Italian cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat. Pour the mac and cheese into the prepared pan. Top with Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese if using.
- Place the pan in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 360°F (182°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving for the best texture.
NOTE: Not all air fryers cook the same. This recipe was made with a 5.8qt basket-style Cosori Air Fryer. If you’re using a different brand of air fryer, your cooking time may need to be adjusted. Make sure you do a test run of the recipe in your air fryer to ensure you don’t need to add or take away a minute or two.
Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Cooking Chart
| Mac & Cheese Type | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Homemade | 360°F | 15–20 min | Check halfway through. Stir edges. |
| Frozen Mac and Cheese | 350°F | 20–25 min | Cover with foil if browning quickly. |
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
- Pre-cook pasta: Slightly undercook pasta to avoid mushiness.
- Use freshly shredded cheese: Melts smoother than bagged.
- Check halfway: Stir the middle for even cooking.
- Add foil if needed: Cover loosely if the top browns too fast.
- Pick the right pan: Use an oven-safe dish that fits with room for air to circulate.
Pairings
This is why macaroni and cheese is one of our favorite side dishes. It’s a great snack to eat on its own or to pair up with any type of main entree. It goes perfectly with air fryer beef tenderloin, air fryer whole chicken, air fryer ham, or even air fryer stir-fry.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheat mac and cheese quickly by placing it in an oven-safe dish that fits into the air fryer. Air fry at 350 degrees F for 2-3 minutes (stirring halfway through), or until heated through.
FAQs
Yes! Just remove the grate for the basket and pour the ingredients into the bottom of the air fryer. Cook halfway, and stir, just as you would in the dish.
While you can use many types of cheese, it’s best to use ones that melt well, such as cheddar, cream cheese, Velveeta, mozzarella, or gouda. Harder cheeses can be used for topping for added flavor, like Parmesan or Asiago.
You may need to add in some extra heavy cream or more cheese if you feel that your macaroni is dried out. Don’t worry – it’s easy to add to the recipe to make it creamy and delicious!
Make sure that you’re not overcooking the pasta. The hot air in the air fryer does a great job of cooking up the ingredients and you really don’t want to go over the allotted time.
You bet – but I just find that the cook times are shorter when I use my air fryer. I also love the golden brown coloring that the high heat of the air fryer gives the top of the cheese. You can also make Instant Pot Macaroni as well, but that takes a few more ingredients and different measurements.
Absolutely! Toppings like breadcrumbs, extra cheese, or crumbled bacon can be added before air frying to create a delicious crust.
It depends on the air fryer model and the quantity of mac and cheese, but a general guideline is to cook it at around 360°F (182°C) for 10 to 15 minutes. If you’re just browning the top, it might take less time.
Pasta is one ingredient that I don’t recommend freezing. While you “technically” can, it’s not going to thaw out very well at all. More than likely, it’ll be a mushy mess!
Have so much fun making this mac & cheese recipe! There’s a reason that everyone runs to the table and “patiently” waits for it to be done! Use this simple recipe as the perfect weeknight side dish or a fun dinner recipe that the whole family loves.
More Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups Elbow macaroni, cooked
- 1 1/2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups Monterey jack cheese
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup Italian cheese
- 6 ounces heavy whipping cream
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium bowl, mix the cooked pasta, beaten egg, cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella cheese, and then add the whipping cream.
- Add the bowl of macaroni to the basket of the air fryer and use the air fryer feature to cook for 10-12 minutes. Stirring every 3-4 minutes.
- Open the air fryer basket and top the macaroni with the remaining Italian cheese. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer basket and allow the mac and cheese to slightly thicken before serving.
- Top with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based milk (like almond or oat) and vegan shredded cheese to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional pasta for your favorite gluten-free pasta.
- Add Veggies: Stir in steamed broccoli, peas, or spinach for extra nutrition and color.
- Protein Boost: Add cooked chicken, ham, or chickpeas for extra protein.
💡 Ask AI for More Ideas
Want to tweak this recipe? Try these quick prompts:Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
