Air Fryer cheese curds require minimal prep and are ready in minutes!

Crispy on the outside and melty and cheesy on the inside, air fried cheese curds will be a go-to snack all year round!

Everyone loves ‘squeaky’ cheese curds and the Air Fryer makes them fast and easy!

hand picking up cheese curds

Easy Air Fryer Cheese Curds

  • This recipe makes bistro-style fried cheese curds that ‘pop’ in your mouth when you bite them and are a wholesome kid favorite!
  • Crunchy breaded cheese curds can be served hot from the Air Fryer or chilled to top a salad and even frozen for future snacking!
  • Fun appetizer! Spear a few curds onto toothpicks for dipping into marinara, and add them to a charcuterie board. Or toss some into homemade poutine!
cheese curds on a plate

Ingredients and Variations

Cheese Curds – Most common are cheddar cheese curds, but you might find mozzarella, gouda, Havarti, provolone, gruyere, fontina, or halloumi. Look for them sold in bags in the deli or near the produce aisle.

Seasonings – Get creative with the seasonings for Air Fryer cheese curds! Ranch dressing mix or a spicy adobo seasoning add a new twist to tasty cheese curds!

Variations – Switch out the bread crumbs for almond flour and crushed pork rinds to make a keto style cheese curd.

How to Make Air Fryer Cheese Curds

Everyone loves these squeaky treats and the Air Fryer makes them fast and easy!

  1. Whisk an egg in a small bowl. Blend breadcrumbs and seasonings in another bowl.
  2. Toss cheese curds in a third bowl with flour.
  3. Dip floured cheese curds into the whisked egg and gently press them into the breading.
  4. Freeze curds and spray with cooking spray.
  5. Cook curds in a single layer in the Air Fryer (per recipe below) until crispy and melted, shaking the basket halfway through.

Pro Tips & Tricks

  • Use parchment paper to catch any cheesy drips while the cheese curds are cooking (use a clean coffee filter for basket-style Air Fryers).
  • Avoid crowding the Air Fryer so the cheese curds can cook evenly (keep cooked batches warm in the oven or toast them briefly under the broiler before serving).
  • Don’t overlook freezing the curds for 30 minutes. This process is important so the cheese solidifies enough to stay whole while being cooked.
  • Keep leftover Air Fryer cheese curds in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them in zippered bags.
  • Leftover and frozen Air Fryer cheese curds can be reheated in the Air Fryer until warmed through and crispy again!

Best Appetizers in the Air Fryer

Did you enjoy these Air Fried Cheese Curds? Leave a rating or comment below!

cheese curds on a plate
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Air Fried Cheese Curds

Cooked to crispy, squeaky perfection these air fryer cheese curds are the perfect snack!
Prep Time 36 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4

Equipment

Ingredients  

  • 8 ounces cheese curds
  • cup flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions 

  • Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
  • Crack egg into a small bowl. Place bread crumbs and seasonings in another bowl.
  • Place cheese curds in third bowl and toss with flour. Remove from the flour allowing excess to fall off and toss with egg.
  • Dip the cheese curds in the crumb mixture gently pressing to adhere. Repeat with remaining curds and place on a baking sheet.
  • Freeze cheese curds for 30 minutes before cooking, once frozen generously spray curds with cooking spray.
  • Place in a single layer in the preheated basket and cook 3-4 minutes or until crisp and melted.

Notes

Important: Cheese curds must be frozen before cooking or they will not crisp on the outside before melting.
Don’t overcook them, they should be just melted and crisp on the outside. 
The cheese curds can be prepared and frozen for several months for a quick snack at any time!
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Nutrition Information

Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 491mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 121IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 441mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Snacks
Cuisine American

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About the author

Holly is a mom of 4 with a love for all things air fryer! Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making recipes for the everyday home cook!
See more posts by Holly

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Comments

  1. To freeze the cheese curds, should we cook them first then freeze? Or freeze them after they are covered in the egg and panko crumbs? I am not sure if “prepared and frozen” include the air fryer

    1. You can freeze them before air frying or after. If freezing them after, toss the cooled cheese curds in a little corn starch to absorb moisture. Then place them in a zippered bag with the date labeled on the outside and freeze for up to 8 weeks. I hope this helps Sarah!