Name: Air Fryer Cheese Curds
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 26 min
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs (beaten); 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1 cup regular breadcrumbs; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 10 oz cheese curds; cooking oil spray

Fresh, melty, and crispy Air Fryer Cheese Curds are easy to make in the air fryer and so, so tasty! Follow this recipe to create the best cheese curds, with little oil and lots of flavor.

a hand pulling apart an air fried cheese curd to show how melty it is.

AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS RECIPE

Learn how easy it is to make cheese curds in the air fryer that are crispy, melty, and irresistible!

Dipped in ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce, these homemade air fryer appetizers are perfect for football parties, late-night snacking, or anytime you have a craving for fried cheese curds made without all the fuss and oil.

WHAT ARE CHEESE CURDS?

Cheese curds are soft pieces of baby cheddar cheese, with a mild flavor and a unique firm, rubbery texture.

When eaten fresh and cold, cheese curds feel and sound "squeaky", so some people call them "squeaky cheese"!

But when cheese curds are breaded and fried in the air fryer, the cheese becomes wonderfully melty, soft, and stretchy.

Popular in the northern states and parts of Canada, you will certainly find cheese curds in Wisconsin, and they are an integral part of Canadian poutine, which is a french fry dish topped with gravy and melted cheese curds.

The ingredients needed to make fried cheese curds in the air fryer, all in separate bowls, arranged on a counter, viewed from overhead

INGREDIENTS FOR CHEESE CURDS AIR FRYER

Flour - Breading cheese curds for the air fryer is similar to making mozzarella sticks or boneless chicken wings. A three-part breading that starts with a light coating of flour is the way.

Eggs - A second coating of beaten eggs helps the breadcrumbs stick to the cheese pieces.

Breadcrumbs - This recipe for air fryer cheese curds uses a blend of both regular bread crumbs and panko bread crumbs. This mixture ensures that each piece of cheese is fully coated and gets extra crispy in the air fryer.

Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder - To season the breadcrumbs perfectly.

Cheese Curds - This air fryer recipe makes 10 ounces of cheese curds, which is a typical package size. Feel free to adjust it to make more or fewer curds if you like though.

Cooking Oil Spray - To make your breaded cheese curds crispy, you need to add a small bit of oil. A natural spray oil (avocado oil) is my choice, but you can use any type of oil in an oil mister too.

If you have any questions about making fried cheese curds in the air fryer, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS

Set up your breading station. Place the flour in one shallow bowl. In a second bowl, beat the eggs. In a third bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Place a few cheese curds in the flour. Toss until they are covered and shake off any excess.
Then place the floured cheese curds in the beaten eggs. Mix until they are covered in egg, then let any excess drip off.
Add the cheese curds to the breadcrumb mixture, coat well, then remove them to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
Repeat the breading process with the remaining cheese curds, then place the tray of breaded curds into the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
To air fry the cheese curds, place frozen breaded cheese curds into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray them with cooking spray and air fry as directed in the recipe card below, until the breading is golden brown and the cheese is melted in the center.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions for air fryer cheese curds, please see the recipe below.

crispy cheese curds in an air fryer basket

WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS

While you can eat fried cheese curds straight from the air fryer, they are best when paired with a tasty dipping sauce.

Try a simple side of tomato sauce, or a creamy dressing such as ranch or blue cheese.

Garlic cilantro sauce, homemade honey mustard, or buffalo sauce are also great dip choices.

TIPS FOR MAKING AIR FRIED CHEESE CURDS

It's very important to freeze them! After you add the bread crumb coating to the curds, they must be frozen for at least 30 minutes before cooking them. This way, the outside coating will have enough time to brown and crisp up before the cheese melts.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Because the air fryer works by circulating air around our food, you need to leave space between each cheese curd so that that air can do its job. Arrange the frozen cheese curds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if you need to.
Try other seasonings. The seasoned breadcrumbs in this recipe are simply seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, but you can get creative. Try Italian seasoning, cajun seasoning, or your favorite spices.
Air fry flavored cheese curds. If you can find specialty cheese curds, try air frying them! Flavors like garlic and herb, buffalo wing, jalapeno, and pizza cheese curds will all be delicious prepared this way.
Make these ahead of time. Because the breaded cheese curds need time in the freezer, they make an easy make-ahead snack! Simply leave the breaded but uncooked cheese curds in the freezer, in an airtight container, until you're ready to cook them.

CAN YOU MAKE CHEESE CURDS IN AN AIR FRYER?

Yes, cheese curds cook up perfectly in the air fryer using this simple recipe. Just bread them, pop them in the freezer for a bit, then air fry with a small amount of oil until they are crispy and delicious!

I actually prefer making fried cheese curds this way now. It's much less messy than frying them in oil.

HOW LONG TO COOK CHEESE CURDS IN AIR FRYER?

It should take about 5 minutes to air fry frozen breaded cheese curds in the air fryer. I suggest a heat level of 380°F/195°C for making air fryer cheese curds.

Of course, all air fryers heat and cook a bit differently, so be sure to keep an eye on your food. Check the cheese curds after 5 minutes. Add additional time if needed so that they get perfectly browned.

HOW TO REHEAT CHEESE CURDS IN AIR FRYER?

Store any leftover air fryer cheese curds in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

To reheat them, add them to a preheated air fryer for 3-5 minutes, or just until they have heated through. Avoid overcooking, as they cheese will melt out.

a plate of crispy cheese curds with a small bowl of ranch dressing on the side.

This recipe was made in a Cosori Air Fryer with a Basket. The recipe should work in other air fryers.

Keep in mind that each air fryer runs differently, it is important to check your food often.

If you have a Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven or a Ninja Basket Air Fryer, both of these units seem to run "hotter" than most air fryers. That means you will need to LESSEN the cook time.

MORE HOMEMADE AIR FRYER APPETIZER RECIPES

Crispy, crunchy, hot appetizers are one of the air fryers best tricks!

You'll love making fresh, homemade onion rings in the air fryer. They are crispy and savory, but not greasy or messy.

Want to try something a bit more fancy? Make a batch of air fryer calamari rings to share. They're delicious with a side of marinara sauce. So are air fryer aranchini!

There are so many more air fryer appetizers here for you to make! Air fryer falafel, frozen fried pickles, air fryer crispy tofu, and air fryer meatballs are a few of my favorites.

crispy fried cheese curds in a square air fryer basket. Text overlay says "easy air fryer cheese curds"

Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment AND rating below! It helps other readers!

Be sure to tag @AirFryerEats on instagram, if you share a picture on the gram! Let's get social, you can follow me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or join one of our Air Fryer Facebook Groups: Air Fryer Recipes, Air Fryer Recipes for Seniors and Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes.

Don't forget to subscribe to our EMAIL newsletter.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Air Fryer Cheese Curds

Fresh, melty, and crispy Air Fryer Cheese Curds are easy to make in the air fryer and so, so tasty! Follow this recipe to create the best cheese curds, with little oil and lots of flavor.

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time6 mins

Total Time26 mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Keyword: air fryer cheese curds

Servings: servings

Calories: 593kcal

Cindy - Air Fryer Eats

Equipment

Air fryer
3 shallow bowls
Baking sheet
Parchment Paper

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 cup regular breadcrumbs
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
10 oz cheese curds
cooking oil spray

Instructions

Place the flour in a bowl. Place the beaten eggs in a second bowl. Place the panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in a third bowl. Whisk to combine.
Place the cheese curds in the flour, a few a time. Toss until the cheese curds are covered and shake off any excess.
Place the floured cheese curds in the beaten eggs. Mix until the cheese curds are covered, letting any excess drip off.
Add the cheese curds to the breadcrumb mixture, tossing to coat them completely. Place the cheese curds on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and repeat with remaining cheese curds.
Freeze the cheese curds for 30 minutes.
Place the breaded cheese curds in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in batches if need be. Spray the top with oil.
Air fry at 380°F/195°C for 5-6 minutes, until the breading is golden and the cheese curds are melted in the center.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Go AD FREE!

Video

Notes

It's very important to freeze them! After you add the bread crumb coating to the curds, they must be frozen for at least 30 minutes before cooking them. This way, the outside coating will have enough time to brown and crisp up before the cheese melts.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Because the air fryer works by circulating air around our food, you need to leave space between each cheese curd so that that air can do its job. Arrange the frozen cheese curds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if you need to.

Try other seasonings. The seasoned breadcrumbs in this recipe are simply seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, but you can get creative. Try Italian seasoning, cajun seasoning, or your favorite spices.

Air fry flavored cheese curds. If you can find specialty cheese curds, try air frying them! Flavors like garlic and herb, buffalo wing, jalapeno, and pizza cheese curds will all be delicious prepared this way.

Make these ahead of time. Because the breaded cheese curds need time in the freezer, they make an easy make-ahead snack! Simply leave the breaded but uncooked cheese curds in the freezer, in an airtight container, until you're ready to cook them.
Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven. If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the "Air Fry" function.
Pro Tip: Check your food as it cooks. Each air fryer runs a bit differently. Sometimes air frying is a trial and error process. Check your food as it cooks to learn your air fryer better! When cooking a new recipe or food items be sure to check your food often to help avoid over/under cooking.

Have oven recipes that you’d like to convert to an air fryer recipe? Use our Air Fryer Calculator to help you estimate cooking times and temps! Calculator here: https://airfryereats.com/air-fryer-conversion-air-fryer-calculator/

Nutrition

Tired of the ads?Go AD Free - Become part of our Membership community!

Air Fryers can vary greatly. Please take the time to learn your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust times and temperatures based upon your air fryer. All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.

If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out Air Fryer Eats Membership! Our membership offers exclusive recipes, meal plans, ebooks, helpful learning videos and more – all completely ad free!

Are you looking for MORE air fryer recipes? Let us make that EASY for you! With this ebook bundle, you get oodles and oodles of air fryer recipes at your finger tips! You can even PRINT the recipes! Grab a copy of these air fryer e-cookbooks today!
Meat Air Fryer Bundle - Click here
Vegetarian Air Fryer Bundle - Click here

black cosori air fryer with text overlay saying: Cosori Air Fryer Recipes 95+ family friendly ideas

Comments

Kelly Parker

January 25, 2023 at 9:33 am

Oh wow! These were AMAZING! The cheese was perfectly melted and the coating was perfectly done.
I've made them before but deep fried them, and as delicious as they were, the oil content was quite high so I only ever had them very occasionally.
Now thanks to your air fryer method, I can have them more often and not feel quite so bad! If I could give you more stars, I would do!

- MandyProctor
  
  January 26, 2023 at 11:47 am
  
  Hi Kelly! Thanks for taking the time to give a rating and leave us such a lovely comment.
  Yes, I must admit these are one of my favorite treats, and so much better without all the added oil 🙂

Air Fryer Cheese Curds

AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS RECIPE

WHAT ARE CHEESE CURDS?

INGREDIENTS FOR CHEESE CURDS AIR FRYER

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS

WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS

TIPS FOR MAKING AIR FRIED CHEESE CURDS

CAN YOU MAKE CHEESE CURDS IN AN AIR FRYER?

HOW LONG TO COOK CHEESE CURDS IN AIR FRYER?

HOW TO REHEAT CHEESE CURDS IN AIR FRYER?

MORE HOMEMADE AIR FRYER APPETIZER RECIPES

Air Fryer Cheese Curds

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Related Posts

95+ Cosori Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes

Air Fryer Sizes

AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS RECIPE

WHAT ARE CHEESE CURDS?

INGREDIENTS FOR CHEESE CURDS AIR FRYER

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS

WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS

TIPS FOR MAKING AIR FRIED CHEESE CURDS

CAN YOU MAKE CHEESE CURDS IN AN AIR FRYER?

HOW LONG TO COOK CHEESE CURDS IN AIR FRYER?

HOW TO REHEAT CHEESE CURDS IN AIR FRYER?

MORE HOMEMADE AIR FRYER APPETIZER RECIPES

Air Fryer Cheese Curds

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Related Posts

95+ Cosori Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes

Air Fryer Sizes

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply