AIR FRYER MAC AND CHEESE BITES RECIPES

Steps:

• Pour water into a bowl and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in macaroni pasta from dinner package. Cook until tender, stirring occasionally, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain; do not rinse. Return to the pot and stir in included cheese sauce, milk, and margarine. Add Cheddar cheese and stir until well combined and cheese is melted.
• Refrigerate macaroni and cheese until firm, 2 hours to overnight.
• Scoop macaroni and cheese into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Freeze for 1 hour.
• Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions. Spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
• Mix panko, bread crumbs, salt, and garlic powder together in a medium bowl. Dip each ball in beaten eggs and then in panko mixture.
• Place mac and cheese balls into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching; cook in batches if necessary.
• Cook in the preheated air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes. Turn over and fry until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes more.

Steps:

• Butter a 9x13 baking dish.
• Cook the pasta according to the package directions, undercooking it slightly. Drain.
• Warm the milk in the microwave or in a small saucepan. (It is easier to incorporate warm milk into the sauce.) Set aside.
• Make a roux. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for a few minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste.
• Slowly pour the warm milk into the butter-flour mixture while whisking to make a smooth sauce. Continue to simmer over low heat until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the grated cheese a little bit at a time, and stir each addition into the sauce before adding more. (Adding the cheese all at once will make the sauce grainy.) Season with the Worcestershire, mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper
• Return the drained pasta to the empty saucepan in which you cooked it. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and stir to combine.
• Spread the macaroni and cheese into the prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour and preferably overnight.
• To make the latkes, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. With your hands, form the macaroni and cheese into 2-inch balls. You should be able to get about 36 balls. Place the formed balls onto the baking sheet and chill until firm, at least 15 minutes.
• Beat the eggs with 2 tablespoons of water. Spread the panko bread crumbs on a plate.
• Roll a pasta ball in the egg mixture then dredge the ball in the bread crumbs, pressing to make the crumbs adhere. Place the breaded fritter on a lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining balls.
• Spray the balls with oil and, working in batches, place 6 in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400F for 12-14 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until browned and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining balls.
• Serve right away with applesauce or your favorite tomato sauce.