AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS

You can easily whip up delectable Air Fryer Cheese Curds that are irresistibly fresh, gooey, and delightfully crispy. This recipe will guide you in crafting the finest cheese curds, requiring only a minimal amount of oil while delivering an abundance of flavor.

Learn how easy it is to make cheese curds in the air fryer that are crispy, melty, and irresistible!

Whether you’re enjoying a football gathering, indulging in a late-night snack, or simply satisfying a fried cheese curd craving, these homemade air fryer appetizers are a fantastic choice. They pair wonderfully with ranch dressing or your preferred dipping sauce, offering the delightful taste of fried cheese curds without the hassle and excessive oil.

WHAT ARE CHEESE CURDS?

Cheese curds are small nuggets of young cheddar cheese, boasting a subtle flavor and a distinctively resilient, rubbery texture.

When consumed in their fresh, chilled state, cheese curds emit a characteristic “squeaky” sensation, earning them the nickname “squeaky cheese” among some folks!

However, when these cheese curds are coated in breadcrumbs and air-fried, they undergo a delightful transformation, turning irresistibly gooey, tender, and delightfully stretchy.

These curds are particularly renowned in the northern regions of the United States and certain parts of Canada, with Wisconsin being a notable hub for their production. Moreover, they play a crucial role in the classic Canadian dish known as poutine, where they adorn a bed of french fries and are smothered in gravy, creating a heavenly blend of flavors and textures.

INGREDIENTS FOR CHEESE CURDS AIR FRYER

Flour: When it comes to breading cheese curds for the air fryer, the process is akin to preparing mozzarella sticks or boneless chicken wings. It all begins with a gentle dusting of flour, forming the first layer of breading.

Eggs: Next, a second layer is created by dipping the cheese pieces in beaten eggs, facilitating the adherence of breadcrumbs to the curds.

Breadcrumbs: In this air fryer cheese curds recipe, a combination of regular bread crumbs and panko bread crumbs is employed. This blend ensures thorough coverage of each cheese piece, resulting in extra crispiness when air-fried.

Seasoning: The breadcrumbs are perfectly seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor.

Cheese Curds: This recipe yields 10 ounces of cheese curds, which is a standard package size. However, you have the flexibility to adjust the quantity to your preference, making more or fewer curds as desired.

Cooking Oil Spray: To achieve that coveted crispy texture for your breaded cheese curds, a minimal amount of oil is necessary. I prefer a natural spray oil like avocado oil, but you can use any type of oil in an oil mister as well.

Should you have any inquiries about preparing fried cheese curds in the air fryer, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, and I will promptly respond.

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS

Prepare your breading station by setting up three shallow bowls. Place the flour in the first bowl, beat the eggs in the second, and combine the panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in the third.
Take a handful of cheese curds and coat them thoroughly with the flour, ensuring they are well-covered, and shake off any excess.
Next, transfer the floured cheese curds to the bowl with the beaten eggs. Ensure they are fully coated in the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
Now, place the egg-coated cheese curds into the breadcrumb mixture, making sure to coat them evenly. Then, transfer them to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
Repeat this breading process with the remaining cheese curds. Once done, set the tray of breaded curds in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
When ready to air fry, arrange the frozen breaded cheese curds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Give them a light spray of cooking oil, and air fry according to the instructions in the recipe card below, until the breading turns a golden brown hue, and the cheese at the center melts deliciously.
Serve promptly, accompanied by your preferred dipping sauce.

These sequential steps correspond to the numbered images above, serving as visual aids for reference. For a comprehensive list of ingredients and detailed instructions on preparing air fryer cheese curds, please refer to the recipe provided below.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS

While you can eat fried cheese curds straight from the air fryer, they are best when paired with a tasty dipping sauce.

Try a simple side of tomato sauce, or a creamy dressing such as ranch or blue cheese.

TIPS FOR MAKING AIR FRIED CHEESE CURDS

Freezing is a crucial step! Once you’ve coated the curds with breadcrumbs, it’s essential to freeze them for a minimum of 30 minutes before cooking. This allows ample time for the outer coating to achieve that desirable golden crispiness while the cheese remains intact.
Ensure proper spacing in the air fryer. Since the air fryer functions by circulating hot air around the food, it’s important not to overcrowd it. Arrange the frozen cheese curds in a single layer within the air fryer basket, leaving room for the air to work its magic. If necessary, work in batches to achieve this.
Experiment with different seasonings. While this recipe uses a straightforward combination of garlic powder, salt, and pepper for the breadcrumbs, you have the freedom to get creative. Explore options like Italian seasoning, cajun seasoning, or your preferred spices to customize the flavor to your liking.
Venture into flavored cheese curds. If you come across specialty cheese curds with enticing flavors like garlic and herb, buffalo wing, jalapeno, or pizza, don’t hesitate to try air frying them! These unique varieties will also shine when prepared using this method.
Prepare in advance. Since the breaded cheese curds require freezer time, they make for a convenient make-ahead snack option. Simply store the breaded but uncooked cheese curds in an airtight container in the freezer until you’re ready to cook them.

CAN YOU MAKE CHEESE CURDS IN AN AIR FRYER?

Indeed, this straightforward recipe yields perfectly cooked cheese curds in the air fryer. All you need to do is coat them, give them a brief freeze, and then air fry them with a minimal amount of oil until they turn irresistibly crispy and delightful!

In fact, I’ve come to favor this method for preparing fried cheese curds; it’s notably cleaner and less cumbersome compared to traditional frying in oil.

HOW LONG TO COOK CHEESE CURDS IN AIR FRYER?

You should anticipate approximately 5 minutes of air frying time for frozen breaded cheese curds in the air fryer. I recommend setting the temperature to 380°F/195°C when preparing air fryer cheese curds.

However, it’s important to note that air fryers can vary in their heating and cooking capabilities, so it’s wise to monitor your food closely. After the initial 5 minutes, inspect the cheese curds, and if necessary, extend the cooking time to achieve that ideal golden brown appearance.

HOW TO REHEAT CHEESE CURDS IN AIR FRYER?

For any remaining air fryer cheese curds, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

When it’s time to reheat them, simply add them to a preheated air fryer for approximately 3-5 minutes, or just until they are warmed through. Be cautious not to overcook, as this can cause the cheese to melt out.

Air Fryer Cheese Curds

Fresh, melty, and crispy Air Fryer Cheese Curds are easy to make in the air fryer and so, so tasty! Follow this recipe to create the best cheese curds, with little oil and lots of flavor.

Prep Time20minutes mins Cook Time6minutes mins Total Time26minutes mins Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 593kcal

Equipment

air fryer
3 shallow bowls
Baking sheet
Parchment Paper

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 cup regular breadcrumbs
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
10 oz cheese curds
cooking oil spray

Instructions

Begin by setting up your breading station. In one bowl, put the flour. In a second bowl, place the beaten eggs. In a third bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, and whisk the mixture until it’s well blended.
Now, take a few cheese curds at a time and place them in the flour. Give them a toss until they’re nicely coated, shaking off any excess flour.
Transfer the floured cheese curds into the bowl with the beaten eggs. Stir until the cheese curds are coated with the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
Next, add the cheese curds to the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated. Place these breaded cheese curds on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and repeat the process with the remaining cheese curds.
Let the cheese curds freeze for 30 minutes.
Once they are ready to air fry, arrange the breaded cheese curds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If needed, cook them in batches. Give the top a light spray with oil.
Air fry at 380°F/195°C for 5-6 minutes, or until the breading becomes golden and the cheese curds melt in the center.
Serve promptly alongside your preferred dipping sauce.

Notes

Freezing is a vital step! After applying the breadcrumb coating to the cheese curds, it’s imperative to freeze them for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This step ensures that the outer coating has ample time to achieve that desirable browning and crispiness before the cheese begins to melt.
Maintain adequate spacing in the air fryer. Since the air fryer relies on circulating hot air around the food, it’s essential to leave enough space between each cheese curd to allow the air to work its magic. Arrange the frozen cheese curds in a single layer within the air fryer basket, and if necessary, work in batches.
Experiment with different seasonings. While this recipe incorporates seasoned breadcrumbs with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, feel free to get creative. Experiment with Italian seasoning, cajun seasoning, or your favorite spice blends to tailor the flavor to your liking.
Explore flavored cheese curds in the air fryer. If you come across specialty cheese curds boasting enticing flavors such as garlic and herb, buffalo wing, jalapeno, or pizza, don’t hesitate to try air frying them! These unique varieties will undoubtedly shine when prepared using this method.
Plan ahead with make-ahead cheese curds. Since the breaded cheese curds require freezer time, they serve as a convenient make-ahead snack option. Simply store the breaded, uncooked cheese curds in an airtight container in the freezer until you’re ready to cook them.
Pro Tip: This recipe can be prepared in either the air fryer unit with a basket or an air fryer oven. If using the air fryer oven, position them on the middle rack and select the “Air Fry” function.
Pro Tip: Monitor your food as it cooks, as each air fryer operates slightly differently. Air frying can sometimes involve a trial-and-error process. Regularly check your food as it cooks to become more acquainted with your specific air fryer. When trying out new recipes or food items, be sure to monitor them closely to prevent overcooking or undercooking.

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