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A pile of golden crispy air fryer cheese balls on a dark slate plate, one broken open showing stretchy molten mozzarella cheese pulling apart, perfectly round golden brown breaded exterior, a small...
Sarah Mitchell

Air Fryer Cheese Balls

There's something almost magical about biting through a crispy, golden crust and hitting a molten, gooey cheese center that stretches as you pull it away. If that mental image just made your mouth water, you need to make these air fryer cheese balls immediately.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cheese Balls
  • 8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 20 cubes)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Cooking spray
For Serving
  • 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Three shallow bowls for breading station
  • Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
  • Sharp knife for cutting cheese

Method
 

  1. Set up three shallow bowls: flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and the combined Italian breadcrumbs, panko, garlic powder, and paprika in the third.
  2. Take each mozzarella cube and dredge it in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the beaten egg, letting excess drip off. Roll in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly so it adheres.
  3. For extra crunch (highly recommended), dip each breaded ball back into the egg and into the breadcrumbs a second time. This double coating is what prevents the cheese from leaking out.
  4. Place the coated cheese balls on a parchment-lined plate or tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight). This step is crucial — don't skip it.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Spray the basket generously with cooking spray.
  6. Place the frozen cheese balls in a single layer in the air fryer. Spray the tops with cooking spray. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket gently halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  7. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce while the cheese is still molten inside.

Notes

The double coating and the freeze are the two non-negotiable steps for perfect cheese balls. Skip either one and the cheese will melt through the coating and you'll have a crispy shell with no cheese inside. Cut the mozzarella into even 1-inch cubes so they all cook at the same rate. And serve these the second they come out — the cheese re-solidifies as it cools.