Mac and Cheese in the Air Fryer
A good mac and cheese needs a crisp, golden top over a creamy middle, and normally that means heating the whole oven for ten minutes of work. The air fryer does the finishing in about 10 minutes, with strong top heat that browns the cheese and breadcrumbs fast. Use a small ovenproof dish that fits the basket and you can have a baked mac and cheese for two or three people without turning the oven on.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 33min
- Prep
- 20min
- Servings
- 3
- Per serving
- 630kcal
Why the air fryer works for mac and cheese
Making mac n cheese air fryer style works because the air fryer is really a small, fast, fan-assisted oven. The hot air hits the top of the dish directly, so the cheese melts and browns in a few minutes, while the creamy sauce underneath stays soft. For a small portion it is faster and cheaper than heating a full-size oven.
There are limits. The air fryer cannot cook raw pasta in a dish, so the macaroni still needs boiling and the sauce must be made on the hob. The dish also has to fit: a round, ovenproof dish about 18 cm across suits most 4–6 litre baskets. If you want a big family tray, the oven is the better choice. For one or two portions, or a quick crisp top on leftovers, the air fryer is ideal.
How to make mac and cheese in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Boil the pasta Cook the macaroni in well-salted boiling water for less than the pack says, so it is slightly firm. Drain and leave it in the colander.
- Make the sauce Melt the butter in the pan, stir in the flour and cook for . Add the milk gradually, whisking, then simmer for until it coats the back of a spoon. Take it off the heat and stir in 150 g of the cheddar, the mustard, salt and pepper.
- Combine Stir the pasta into the sauce until it is fully coated. Spoon it into an ovenproof dish about 18 cm across that fits in the basket with a gap at the sides.
- Add the topping Mix the breadcrumbs with the remaining 20 g of cheddar and sprinkle over the top. Cover the dish with foil, pressed down round the rim so the fan cannot lift it, for the first .
- Bake Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for . Lower the dish into the basket and cook for at 180 °C, removing the foil after , until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling at the edges. Rest for before serving.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Mac and Cheese | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh mac and cheese, 18 cm dishFoil on for the first half | 180 °C | 10 min |
| Reheating leftoversAdd a splash of milk, 75 °C | 160 °C | 8–10 min |
| Frozen ready mealFollow the pack, check it fits | 160 °C | 20–25 min |
| Mac and cheese bites or ballsChill and crumb them first | 190 °C | 8–10 min |
| Single portion in a ramekin | 180 °C | 8 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Undercook the pasta. It carries on cooking in the sauce, and macaroni cooked fully in the pan turns soft and mushy in the dish.
- Use a strong cheese. Mature cheddar tastes of something after baking. A little mustard or a pinch of cayenne brings out the flavour.
- Choose the right dish. Metal, ceramic or glass all work, but it must be ovenproof and leave space around it, so the hot air can circulate.
Serving
Serve with a crisp green salad or some broccoli to cut the richness, or alongside sausages or chicken thighs for a heartier dinner. Mac n cheese air fryer portions also make a good side to a burger.
Storing and reheating
Cool leftover mac and cheese quickly and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat a portion in a small dish with a splash of milk at 160 °C for 8–10 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). Do not reheat it more than once.
Variations
- Mac and cheese bites: Chill leftover mac and cheese, shape it into balls, coat in flour, beaten egg and breadcrumbs, and cook at 190 °C for 8–10 minutes.
- Bacon and leek: Stir in 2 chopped, cooked rashers of bacon and a handful of sliced, softened leeks before baking.
- Extra crunch: Replace the breadcrumbs with crushed crisps or crumbled cream crackers for a crisper top.
Troubleshooting
- The top burns before the middle is hot
- The air fryer fan blows crumbs around and browns the top quickly. Cover the dish with foil for the first half, and make sure the pasta and sauce are still warm when it goes in.
- The mac and cheese is dry
- Pasta absorbs sauce as it bakes. Make the sauce a little looser than you think you need, and do not overcook the macaroni in the pan.
- The sauce is grainy
- The cheese went in over too high a heat. Take the pan off the heat before stirring in the cheese and grate it finely so that it melts smoothly.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make mac and cheese in an air fryer?
Yes. Make the sauce and pasta as usual, put them in a small ovenproof dish and bake in the basket for 10 minutes. The air fryer is for finishing, not for cooking raw pasta.
How long does mac and cheese take in an air fryer?
A freshly made dish needs 10 minutes at 180 °C to brown the top. A cold, leftover portion needs 8–10 minutes at 160 °C.
How do you reheat mac and cheese in an air fryer?
Put it in a small dish, add a splash of milk, cover with foil and heat at 160 °C for 8–10 minutes, removing the foil for the last 2 minutes. It must be steaming hot all the way through (75 °C).
Can you cook frozen mac and cheese in an air fryer?
Yes, a shop-bought frozen tray can be cooked in the air fryer if it fits. Remove the film and follow the pack, which is usually around 20–25 minutes at 160 °C.
Can you make mac and cheese bites in the air fryer?
Yes. Chill the mac and cheese, shape it into balls, coat in egg and breadcrumbs and cook at 190 °C for 8–10 minutes. The recipe has a variation for this.
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