Name: Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1.5 cups macaroni; 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese; 2 1/4 cups milk; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; salt and pepper to taste (optional)

Close up of air fryer mac and cheese in a bowl on a table

My family loooooves when I make deliciously crispy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese. It is one of their favorite comfort food recipes and they ask for it lots. The kiddoes love it with a green salad or some air fryer chicken tenders or corn for a totally filling and super satisfying meal.

So yes peeps, I am super excited that I can share this Air Fryer Mac and Cheese with you today. Especially awesome as Thanksgiving recipe, a Christmas recipe and an everyday weeknight supper too.

Yeap, cooking this in the air fryer means your oven is free for all the other holiday baking and cooking you need to be doing. Even better is when you have leftover mac and cheese that you roll up and whip up some awesome Air Fried Mac and Cheese balls. #winningatcooking

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese – Why You’ll love This Dish

Pretty much a dump and start recipe, this is a tasty pasta dish that requires virtually no effort to make.
You do not need to pre boil the pasta first. How awesome is that?!
This recipe for Air Fried Mac and Cheese comes together easily with affordable everyday ingredients.
It is immensely adaptable with a few suggestions below.
This can be made ahead – simply stir in a little bit of milk and warm through before serving.
It makes a great festive holiday main or side dish.

Basically this is one of those ‘whip up with 5 minutes of effort’ recipes. This means you have all the free time in the evenings to play, read, watch movies and do whatever else you want with all your free time.

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Tools

KITCHEN TOOLS, UTENSILS & APPLIANCES NEEDED

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, check out my disclosure.

Here are some of the items you will need to make these recipes.

This Air Fryer is perfect for cooking your food.
This 13 piece air fryer accessories kit helps you get the most from your Air Fryer.
Use these measuring teaspoons for your seasonings.
These handy mixing bowls are good for mixing up ingredients.
I love these tongs for turning food in the air fryer.
Bowls with covers.
- Store leftover food in these bowls.
Flavourings**
Sea Salt Flakes <= amazing salt that makes your food taste good.
**Essentials**
Check out this list of must-have Air Fryer essentials.

So, are you ready to learn just how easy it is to make this Air Fryer Pasta? Then gather up your ingredients and I will show you……

How To Make Air Fryer Mac and Cheese

What Do I Need To Make Air Fryer Mac and Cheese?

You only need a handful of ingredients making this dish soooooo quick and easy to make. All you need is:

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Ingredients:

Macaroni
Cheese
Milk
Nutmeg
Salt and pepper (optional)

Air Fryer Mac n Cheese Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 340 F/170 C.
Add the macaroni into a deep 7 cm Air Fryer dish.
Mix in the rest of the ingredients and add the dish into the air fryer basket
Close the Air Fryer and cook for 20 mins, mixing at about 7 minutes and 15 minutes.
Open the air fryer remove the Air Fryer Mac and Cheese, mix it let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Tips

Do mix the Air Fryer Macaroni Cheese at least twice during cooking so you avoid ending up with a burnt top.
When mixing make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan so nothing sticks.
Test the mac and cheese when cook time is finished, and if needed air fry for a couple more minutes.
Serve with a lovely green salad to make it a more substantial meal.
Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less cooking time, checking food for doneness, and then adding more time as needed.

Air Fried Mac and Cheese Variations

You can use a mixture of Cheddar cheese and Parmesan if you prefer.
Feel free to use either straight or elbow macaroni.
You can stir in some chili or oregano when cooking.
Feel free to mix in some spinach or cooked broccoli halfway through cooking.

Mac and Cheese Bar

A really fun way to serve Air Fryer Mac and Cheese is a mac and cheese bar. Kids will love this and adults will too (think girls night, book club, other parties).

Here are some toppings suggestions to get you started. Use some or all, and then watch everyone have fun customizing to suit their tastes!

Sweet corn
Sliced ham
Cooked bacon
Cooked peas
Chopped sun dried tomatoes
Olives
Grape tomatoes, halved
Pesto
Beef chili
Shredded chicken
Seasoned fried breadcrumbs

More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken Tenders.

Air Fryer Green Beans.

Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Homemade Air Fryer Tater Tots

Air Fryer Mexican Corn on the Cob.

Air Fryer Plantains

Thank you for reading my Air Fried Mac and Cheese recipe post. And please visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.

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5 from 8 votes