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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Easy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Recipe

    Published: Jan 23, 2023 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Air fryer mac and cheese pin image.

    An easy air fryer mac and cheese recipe where you don't have to boil the pasta first!

    Pop the ingredients into a baking dish, give it a stir, then air fry for 25-30 minutes, stirring regularly!

    Air fryer mac and cheese garnished with parsley.

    This creamy air fryer macaroni cheese recipe is quick and easy to prep because you don't need to pre-boil the macaroni!

    It's a simple and tasty pasta side dish for busy weeknights that the kids love!

    👩‍🍳 Don't have an air fryer? Try my traditional bacon mac and cheese recipe instead!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • What is an air fryer?
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Expert tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ Frequently asked questions
    • 😋 More air fryer recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    • Easy air fryer pasta recipe.
    • Quick to prep and only 7 ingredients.
    • Kids (and adults) love mac and cheese!
    • No need to pre-boil the pasta first on the hob.

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Ingredients for air fryer mac and cheese.

    Pasta - I like to use standard dried macaroni (elbow pasta) as it's small and cooks quickly.

    Cheese - a combination of extra-mature cheddar and Parmesan cheese for the best flavour. Other cheeses such as gruyere work well too.

    Milk - use whole milk for this recipe, or alternatively for a smoother sauce, use half double cream and half water.

    Seasonings - mustard powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika really help to lift the flavour of the mac and cheese. You could also add cayenne pepper or dried herbs such as oregano.

    🥄 Equipment

    Which air fryer? I use the Ninja Foodi MAX PRO Health Grill, Flat Plate and Air Fryer with 7 customisable cooking functions including grill, flat plate, air fry, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate! It also comes with a digital cooking probe that precisely monitors your food’s temperature as it cooks!

    What is an air fryer?

    Air fryers are small(ish) kitchen appliances that operate like a convection oven—except in a smaller, more concentrated space.

    The air is circulated at a high temperature and evenly around the food, which makes the food cook more quickly than in a conventional oven (saving energy), and helps give foods a crispy coating without the need for lots of oil and fat.

    🔪 Instructions

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Preheat the air fryer to 170C (340F) and set 30 minutes on the timer.

    Two: Place the macaroni, grated cheeses, and seasonings into an oven-proof dish that will fit in your air fryer basket.

    Three: Pour in the milk and give everything a mix.

    Four: Air fry for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so with a wooden spoon. It will look like the cheese sauce is separating at times but keep stirring regularly and incorporating all the ingredients back together. Continue to cook until the macaroni is al dente. Season with salt and black pepper before serving.

    Step by step photo instruction collage for making mac and cheese in an air fryer.

    💭 Expert tips

    • Cook time depends on the type of pasta you use. Start checking for doneness after 20 minutes. If you are using a larger pasta shape it may take longer than 30 minutes.
    • Foil trays, oven-proof baking dishes, and air fryer silicone dishes can all be used in an air fryer to make this mac and cheese. Make sure your dish fits into your air fryer basket!

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    Serve the air fryer mac and cheese with a green salad or vegetables, such as air fryer asparagus, peas, sweetcorn, or roasted Tenderstem broccoli.

    Or, how about homemade focaccia or garlic bread?

    Air fryer macaroni cheese in a baking dish.

    📖 Variations

    • Make it spicy and add chilli flakes.
    • Sprinkle over cooked bacon pieces or toasted bread crumbs at the end of cooking.
    • Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and pesto for extra flavour.
    • Garnish with freshly chopped herbs such as parsley or chives.
    • Use leftovers to make air-fried mac and cheese balls.

    🥡 Storage

    Store: Due to the nature of the cheese sauce, this air fryer mac and cheese is best eaten fresh out of the air fryer. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Reheat: Reheat in a microwave but please be aware the pasta will dry out on reheating. This mac and cheese recipe tastes better when eaten straight away.

    Freeze: This macaroni cheese recipe is not suitable for freezing. If you would like to make mac and cheese that you can freeze, try my smoky chorizo mac and cheese instead.

    Air fryer mac and cheese with a green side salad.

    ❓ Frequently asked questions

    What kind of dish do I need to use for Air Fried Mac and Cheese?

    Any dish that is oven-proof can be used in an air fryer. That includes foil trays and baking dishes, but you can also purchase specialised air fryer safe silicone baking dishes.

    Can I make this recipe in a pan on the hob?

    No, this recipe has been developed to be made in an air fryer.

    What is the best cheese to use for macaroni cheese?

    Use a cheese that melts well and has a strong cheesy flavour. I like to use extra mature cheddar cheese, Parmesan, and occasionally gruyere.

    😋 More air fryer recipes

    • Air fryer chicken fajitas
    • Air fryer baked camembert
    • Air fryer sausages
    • Air fryer whole chicken
    • Air fryer breakfast frittata
    • Air fryer sausage rolls
    • Air fryer chicken nuggets
    Air fried mac and cheese with salad.

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    Recipe

    Air fryer macaroni cheese in a baking dish.
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    5 from 3 votes

    Easy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese

    An easy air fryer mac and cheese recipe where you don't have to boil the pasta first!
    Course Pasta
    Cuisine British
    Keyword air fryer mac and cheese, air fryer macaroni cheese
    Prep Time 4 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 34 minutes
    Servings 3
    Calories 535kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Kitchen Scales
    • Cheese Grater
    • Measuring Jug
    • Oven Proof Baking Dish
    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 150 g Macaroni
    • 150 g Extra Mature Cheddar grated
    • 30 g Parmesan grated
    • ½ teaspoon Mustard Powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
    • 500 ml Whole Milk

    Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 170°C (340F) and set 30 minutes on the timer.
    • Place the macaroni, grated cheeses, and seasonings into an oven-proof dish that will fit into your air fryer basket.
      150 g Macaroni, 150 g Extra Mature Cheddar, 30 g Parmesan, ½ teaspoon Mustard Powder, ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder, ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
    • Pour in the milk and give everything a mix.
      500 ml Whole Milk
    • Air fry for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so with a wooden spoon. It will look like the cheese sauce is separating at times but keep stirring regularly and incorporating all the ingredients back together. Continue to cook until the macaroni is al dente. Season with salt and black pepper before serving.

    Notes

    Expert Tips:
    • Cook time depends on the type of pasta you use. Start checking for doneness after 20 minutes. If you are using a larger pasta shape it may take longer than 30 minutes.
    • Foil trays, oven-proof baking dishes, and air fryer silicone dishes can all be used in an air fryer to make this mac and cheese. Make sure your dish fits into your air fryer basket.
     
    Variations:
    • Make it spicy and add chilli flakes.
    • Sprinkle over cooked bacon pieces or toasted bread crumbs at the end of cooking.
    • Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and pesto for extra flavour.
    • Garnish with freshly chopped herbs such as parsley or chives.
    • Use leftovers to make air-fried mac and cheese balls.
     
    Storage:
    Store - Due to the nature of the cheese sauce, this air fryer mac and cheese is best eaten fresh out of the air fryer. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    Reheat - Reheat in a microwave but please be aware the pasta will dry out on reheating. This mac and cheese recipe tastes better when eaten straight away.
    Freeze - This macaroni cheese recipe is not suitable for freezing. 
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    535
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    26
    g
    40
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    15
    g
    94
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    6
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    77
    mg
    26
    %
    Sodium
     
    556
    mg
    24
    %
    Potassium
     
    426
    mg
    12
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    47
    g
    16
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    10
    g
    11
    %
    Protein
     
    28
    g
    56
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    940
    IU
    19
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.03
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    695
    mg
    70
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura

      January 23, 2023 at 2:53 pm

      5 stars
      Such an easy recipe for mac and cheese in an air fryer. Love that you don't need to pre cook the pasta!

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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