Air Fryer Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese made entirely in the air fryer is super simple, exceptionally cheesy and absolutely delicious! Try this easy air fryer Mac and cheese for the ultimate comfort food! 

Some air fryer recipes, like my chilli, can be made entirely in the air fryer. Things like fish fingers or vegetables can, too. 

Other air fryer recipes, like my cottage pie, still need to be simmered low and slow on the hob for a rich, thick gravy and awesome texture. You just use the air fryer for the baking bit. 

When I first thought about making Mac and Cheese in the air fryer, I fully expected it to fall into the latter category. 

I was whisking my cheese sauce on the hob but baking it in the air fryer. 

But there’s not always time for the whisking, so I asked myself if it was really necessary. Would the cheese melt while the pasta cooked in the milk? Do you even need to add some flour?

Could Mac and cheese become incredibly easy?

I tried a few different things, with different quantities, in an attempt to make the easiest Mac and cheese recipe possible, and this is it. 

A super simple recipe for Mac and cheese made entirely in the air fryer!

Why I Love Air Fryer Mac and Cheese

I love air fryer Mac n cheese because:

• It really is super cheesy!
• Air fryer Macaroni cheese is delicious. I really think this is the best air fryer Mac and cheese. But I am, of course, terribly biased. 
• Making Mac and cheese entirely in the air fryer means you only need one cooking dish!
• Stirring regularly makes getting the texture and consistency you like easy. I favour quite a dry Mac and cheese, but if you want it saucier, you can take it out earlier. 
• You don’t even need to cook the pasta separately! Mac and cheese in air fryer is almost a one pan!
• Who doesn’t love Mac and cheese?

Ingredients For Air Fryer Mac and Cheese

This is a six ingredient Mac and cheese. Actually, you could even make air fryer Mac and cheese with five ingredients if you wanted to!

I use:

Macaroni

Cheddar Cheese – A mature, sharp cheddar cheese with lots of flavour is best. 

Parmesan Cheese – This is the one you can skip, but I love the extra flavour. 

Dijon Mustard – You could swap for English mustard or even wholegrain mustard if you wanted to. Use what you’ve got. 

Garlic Puree – You can use garlic powder instead if that’s what you have. 

Semi Skimmed Milk

You’ll Also Need

When I make this Air Fryer Macaroni Cheese Recipe, I use:

• A jug and spoon to mix the milk, mustard and garlic. This isn’t essential. You can just mix it in the cooking dish. But I find this easier. 
• A cheese grater. I actually use a big grater for my cheddar and then a microplane for my parmesan. 
• Wooden spoon. 
• Silicone air fryer dish (affiliate link). Mine is round, with a firm base and long handles, which make it easy to get in and out. As long as you lift with both handles, it doesn’t collapse, and you won’t spill milk everywhere. Silicone dishes with soft bottoms and short handles can be messy. However, you can use any heatproof baking dish that fits your air fryer comfortably. 

You will, of course, also need an air fryer, and while a ninja Mac and cheese I’m sure is great, mine is a Costco Gormia, and it does the job fine!

How to Make Air Fryer Mac and Cheese – Step-by-Step Instructions

Full, easy-to-follow instructions and quantities are available in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step One

Preheat your air fryer to 170 degrees C and set for 30 minutes. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat setting, set it to 170 degrees C for 33 minutes, and add the food when it gets down to 30.

Step Two

Whisk the milk, dijon mustard and garlic together in a large jug. 

Step Three

Place the macaroni in a deep dish that’s suitable for use in your air fryer. I use silicone dishes to bake in my air fryer basket. You can just use a regular casserole dish if you’ve got one that fits. If it’s ovenproof, you can usually use it in the air fryer. 

Step Four

Pour over the milk, mustard and garlic mix. 

Step Five

Add the parmesan and cheddar, retaining a large handful of cheddar to sprinkle on top. 

Step Six

Mix well. 

Step Seven

Carefully place it in the air fryer basket or drawer.

Step Eight 

Stir thoroughly and carefully every five minutes until it’s been cooking for 25 minutes. I use a wooden spoon. 

Step Nine

After 25 minutes, sprinkle on the remaining cheese. You might want to test a bit of pasta after 20 minutes, and if it’s done as you like it, add the remaining cheese 5 minutes early. 

Step Ten

Air fry for a further 5 minutes until the cheese is golden brown. Cook for longer, or turn the heat to 180 for a darker, crunchier top. 

Serve your air fried macaroni and cheese straight away. 

Top Tips

So, a few tips for the perfect air fried Mac n cheese.

Firstly, don’t worry if it doesn’t look right for a while. It takes a while for the cheese to melt, so when you stir it, there may be lumps of cheese, and it might look like the sauce will split. It will all come together and gradually start to look as you’d expect. 

Secondly, check the pasta. If you prefer it firm, you might only need to cook it for 20 minutes. 

Also, and I speak from past mistakes, be careful! There’s a lot of taking the drawer or basket out to stir, and it gets super hot. 

Finally, if you prefer the traditional way, stick to it. This is like an easy cheats Mac and cheese. It’s not exactly the same. I think it’s delicious and a fantastic alternative. But if you don’t like it as much, that’s cool. 

Serving Suggestions

My husband always thinks Mac and cheese should be served with some sort of meat. He likes it with burgers, steak, sausages, air fryer chicken burgers, and anything else meaty. 

I, however, am quite happy to serve Mac and cheese with a salad or some steamed or air-fried vegetables.

I find it quite filling and love a huge portion. It’s too good to be a side!

Variations

One of the best things about Mac and cheese is that there’s tons that you can do with it. These are just a few of the many, many options. 

Make a Traditional Cheese Sauce on the Hob

You can stick to your pre-cooked macaroni if you want to. 

Make it as you usually would: pour into a dish suitable for the air fryer, making sure the part cooked pasta is fully covered, sprinkle with cheese and then air fry at 170 degrees C for 5-10 minutes, until the top is golden brown. 

Add Bacon

Cooked bacon bits are a popular addition. 

Just stir them into the mixture, or sprinkle on the top with the cheese for the last five minutes. Air fryer Mac and cheese with bacon is yummy!

Add Breadcrumbs

Adding Panko breadcrumbs with the cheese on top gives a delicious crunch. 

Add Vegetables

Broccoli is a great addition, but you can add other veggies too. Cut the florets relatively small and add them uncooked at the start. Or cook separately and stir through before topping with cheese for the last five minutes. 

Use Spices

Adding spices, like paprika or chilli, or more mustard, to your milk gives you a spicy Mac and cheese, which can be delicious. 

Use Different Cheeses

I love making Mac and cheese with different cheeses. You can really use anything that melts. I’d start with cheddar and replace 50-100g with other cheeses. 

Crumbling blue cheese in is fantastic!

Switch to Whole Milk

Whole milk gives you a richer, more decadent flavour. 

I prefer semi-skimmed, which we have at home, but many people would rather make Mac and cheese with whole milk. 

Leftovers

Leftover air fryer Mac and cheese can be reheated or even eaten cold! 

Sprinkle with water and reheat in the air fryer at 150 degrees C for around 10 minutes (depending on how much is left), or reheat in the microwave for a few minutes. 

If there’s not much left, serve as a side with a sandwich or burger or as part of another meal. 

Storage 

Cover your leftover Mac and cheese and store in the fridge for 1-2 days. 

FAQ

Other Recipes 

If you like this easy air fryer Mac and cheese, you might also want to try:

• Hash Browns
• Scrambled Eggs
• Air Fryer Apple Crumble
• Air Fryer Fish Pie
• Crispy Chicken Burgers
• Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Curry
• Air Fried Loaded Potato Skins
• Shortcrust Pastry Chicken Pie

Recipe Card

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