Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- Air fryer basket
- Heatproof dish
- Saucepan
- small frying pan
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 250 g macaroni
- 300 ml whole milk
- 30 g unsalted butter
- ¼ cup plain flour
- 65 g cheddar cheese mature and grated
- 1 teaspoon English mustard
- Sea salt flakes to taste
- Black pepper freshly ground, to taste
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
- Warm the milk in a heatproof jug in the microwave or in a small frying pan over low heat until just steaming.
- Melt the butter in a small frying pan over low heat, then stir in the plain flour until combined. Cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually add the warm milk, whisking constantly until smooth and glossy. Once bubbling, cook for 1 minute, then remove from the heat.
- Stir in half of the cheddar cheese and the mustard, mixing until the cheese has melted. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
- Transfer the cooked macaroni to a heatproof dish that fits inside the air fryer basket. Pour over the cheese sauce and gently stir to coat the pasta evenly.
- Combine the panko breadcrumbs with the remaining cheddar cheese and scatter evenly over the top.
- Air-fry at 180°C for 15–20 minutes, until golden and the macaroni and cheese is bubbling.
Notes & Wine Advice
Serving Advice
Serve the Air Fryer Mac and Cheese immediately while the sauce is creamy and the breadcrumb topping is crisp. It works as a comforting Main Course with a fresh green salad or as a rich Side Dish alongside vegetables.Storage Advice
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly in the air fryer or microwave, adding a small splash of milk if the pasta has become dry. Browse our Store Food recipes for more storage-friendly dishes.Wine Advice
A fresh Chardonnay is a good match for this creamy macaroni and cheese. Its rounded character complements the mature cheddar, while its freshness helps balance the richness of the cheese sauce.Nutrition values
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About this recipe
Air Fryer Mac and Cheese combines creamy cheese-coated macaroni with a crisp breadcrumb topping, giving a familiar comfort food favourite an easy air fryer finish. The pasta is cooked first, then mixed with a homemade cheddar sauce before being topped with panko breadcrumbs and more cheese. A final blast of hot circulating air creates a bubbling centre and golden crust.
Macaroni and cheese is strongly associated with American comfort food, making this recipe a natural addition to our American recipes. It is substantial enough to serve as a main meal but can also be divided into smaller portions and served alongside vegetables, chicken or other dishes.
Making a creamy cheddar cheese sauce
The sauce begins with butter and plain flour, which are cooked briefly together before warm milk is gradually whisked in. Adding the milk slowly helps produce a smooth sauce without lumps. Once the mixture begins bubbling and thickens, mature cheddar and English mustard provide the main flavour.
Mature cheddar works particularly well because its stronger flavour remains noticeable after being combined with the milk and pasta. The mustard provides extra depth without making the finished dish taste strongly of mustard. You can find more dishes using this versatile ingredient in our Cheese recipes.
The cooked macaroni should be drained thoroughly before the sauce is added. Excess cooking water can thin the cheese sauce and prevent it from coating the pasta properly. Once combined, transfer everything to a heatproof dish that fits comfortably inside your air fryer.
Creating the golden air fryer topping
The contrast between creamy pasta and crunchy topping is one of the best parts of this recipe. Panko breadcrumbs are mixed with the remaining mature cheddar and scattered over the macaroni. Panko has a light, coarse texture that becomes particularly crisp when exposed to the circulating heat of the Airfryer.
Air-frying the assembled dish at 180°C allows the sauce to become hot and bubbling while the breadcrumb topping turns golden. Depending on your air fryer and the depth of the baking dish, this should take around 15 to 20 minutes.
Serve the macaroni straight from the air fryer for the best contrast between the creamy centre and crisp topping. A simple salad or steamed vegetables can balance the richness. For more warming meal ideas, browse our Comfort Food recipes and Pasta recipes.
Leftovers should be cooled promptly and refrigerated in a covered container. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides additional guidance about safe food preparation and storage at home.
With creamy mature cheddar, tender macaroni and a crunchy golden topping, Air Fryer Mac and Cheese is straightforward comfort food that works equally well for a relaxed family dinner, weekend meal or satisfying side dish.