If you’ve ever wondered about making mac and cheese in the air fryer, it can be done! In fact, Air Fryer mac and cheese is actually super easy to make!
You can make a delicious, baked macaroni in less than 30 minutes with the air fryer! That makes it a great side dish option!
Scroll down to the bottom for a printable recipe card or continue reading for complete instructions along with tips and tricks!
AIR FRYER MAC AND CHEESE
If you have an air fryer with a basket, I’m sure your first question is how you could ever make air fried mac and cheese in a basket with holes. So let me answer that question first!
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER MACARONI AND CHEESE
This recipe makes 3 servings. It takes about 5 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook.
To make macaroni and cheese in air fryer, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Elbow macaroni
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Dry mustard
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Milk
- Heavy cream
With this recipe, you can tweak the seasonings to your liking. You can also just go with simple salt and pepper. Full measurements are listed in the recipe card.
You can also change up the type of cheese you use. I recommend shredding your own cheese to improve the melting, but you can use the pre-shredded type as well.
Start by preheating the air fryer to 350°F if your model requires it.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the elbow macaroni, shredded cheese (saving some to top the pasta with at the end), dry mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Pour the dry ingredients into the air fryer pan and top with milk and heavy cream.
Make sure all the pasta is fully covered by the milk.
Set the air fryer to cook for 20 minutes.
Halfway through the cooking time, remove the pan from the air fryer and stir the ingredients.
When 1 minute is left, remove the pan from the air fryer basket and top with additional cheese, if desired.
Return the basket to the fryer and cook for the remaining minute to melt the cheese.
PrintAir Fryer Mac and Cheese
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 16 mins
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 3 1x
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (plus more for topping)
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup milk (room temperature)
- ½ cup heavy cream (room temperature)
Instructions
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Preheat the air fryer to 350°F if required by your model.
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Stir together the macaroni, shredded cheese, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
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Pour the ingredients in the air fryer pan and top with milk and heavy cream. Make sure all the pasta is fully covered by the milk.
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Set the air fryer to cook for 20 minutes. Halfway through the cook time, remove the pan from the air fryer and stir the ingredients.
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When 1 minute is left, remove the pan and top with additional cheese, if desired.
-
Cook for additional minute to melt the cheese on top.
