Reasons to choose air fryer chilli cheese bites
Making Chilli Cheese Bites is a great way to enjoy a restaurant style snack without using a deep fat fryer. The uses much less oil while still giving the breadcrumbs a perfect crunch on every side. You can control the level of heat by adding more or fewer chillis to the cheese mix depending on your preference. These are perfect for serving at parties or as a quick evening treat for the whole family.
Follow these 4 steps for air fryer chilli cheese bites
Prepare the mix: Mix the cheddar, mozzarella and chopped jalapeños together in a bowl until they are well combined. Shape the mixture into small balls about the size of a walnut. Place them on a tray and put them in the freezer for ten minutes to firm up.
Coat the bites: Set up three bowls with flour, beaten eggs and breadcrumbs mixed with paprika. Roll each cheese ball in the flour, then the egg and finally the breadcrumbs. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps again to ensure the cheese is fully sealed inside.
Air fry: Preheat the to 200 degrees Celsius and lightly grease the basket. Place the bites in a single layer with space between each one to allow the air to circulate. Cook for about eight minutes or until the coating is golden and crisp.
Serve: Remove the bites carefully from the basket and let them sit for a minute so the cheese settles. Serve them while they are still warm with your favourite dipping sauce. Be careful when eating as the cheese inside will be very hot.
Tips to make air fryer chilli cheese bites even better
Freezing the cheese balls before coating them helps them keep their shape while you work. Double coating is the most important part of making Chilli Cheese Bites because it prevents the cheese from leaking out during cooking. Make sure the breadcrumbs completely cover the egg layer without leaving any gaps in the coating. You can use different types of cheese like Monterey Jack if you want a different flavour profile.
Do not overcrowd the basket or the air will not reach all sides of the bites properly. If you want more spice, leave some of the jalapeño seeds in the mix for extra heat. Always check on them a minute early as every cooks at a slightly different speed. Using panko breadcrumbs will give you the crunchiest result compared to standard breadcrumbs.
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also try
air fryer frittata,
air fryer liver pâté or
air fryer portobello mushrooms.
