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Air Fryer Cheese Curds: The Best Recipe | AirFryAndEat

Cheese curds are a delightful snack that captures the essence of comfort food, combining the rich creaminess of cheese with the satisfying crunch of a crispy coating. If you’ve ever tried them, you’ll know just how addictive they can be, especially when served warm and gooey. Thankfully, with the advent of the air fryer, achieving that perfect golden crust without the excess oil has never been easier. In this article, we’ll explore the best recipe for air fryer cheese curds that will leave your taste buds tingling and your guests asking for more.

Why Choose Air Fryer Cheese Curds?

Healthier Option

Using an air fryer reduces the need for large amounts of oil, making this recipe a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried cheese curds. You’ll still get that satisfying crunch and delicious flavour, but without the added calories that come from frying.

Quick and Easy

Air frying is not only healthier but also quicker. You can whip up a batch of cheese curds in under 30 minutes, making them an ideal snack for gatherings, movie nights, or even just as a treat for yourself.

Perfectly Crispy

The air fryer circulates hot air around the food, achieving a crispiness that rivals deep frying without the hassle. This means you get beautifully crispy cheese curds that are gooey on the inside every single time.

Ingredients

To make the best air fryer cheese curds, you will need the following ingredients:

• 250g cheese curds (preferably medium cheddar or white cheddar)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil (for extra crispness)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Curds

Begin by patting your cheese curds dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help the coating adhere better and ensure they crisp up nicely.

Step 2: Set Up a Dredging Station

In three separate bowls, set up your dredging station:

1. Flour: Mix the all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Eggs: Beat the eggs in a separate bowl.
3. Breadcrumbs: In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little more salt and pepper.

Step 3: Coat the Cheese Curds

Dip each cheese curd first into the flour mixture, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour before transferring it to the bowl with the beaten eggs. After coating them in egg, roll them in the breadcrumb mixture until they’re fully covered. Place the coated cheese curds on a plate or a wire rack and let them rest for about 10 minutes. This helps the coating stick better during cooking.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for approximately 3-5 minutes. This ensures that the cheese curds will start cooking immediately once they are placed inside, leading to a crispier result.

Step 5: Air Fry the Cheese Curds

Lightly spray the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray or brush it with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the coated cheese curds in a single layer in the basket. It’s important not to overcrowd them; you may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cook the cheese curds in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model. They should be golden brown and bubbling when done.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once cooked, carefully remove the cheese curds from the air fryer and allow them to cool for a minute. Serve them warm with your favourite dipping sauce—ranch, marinara, or a spicy aioli work wonderfully.

Final Thoughts

Air fryer cheese curds are incredibly easy to make and absolutely scrumptious. With their crispy exterior and melt-in-your-mouth centre, they are sure to be the star of any snack table. This recipe is perfect for parties, movie nights, or even as a fun weeknight treat. Give this recipe a try, and you might just find that you won’t want to make cheese curds any other way!

Happy air frying!

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