Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
Creamy macaroni coated in a rich mustard and cheddar cheese sauce, topped with crisp golden breadcrumbs and finished in the air fryer for an easy comfort food favourite.
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
Calories: 455 kcal | Carbohydrates: 57 g | Protein: 15 g | Fat: 19 g | Saturated Fat: 11 g | Sodium: 330 mg | Sugar: 5 g