Fair Food Mac and Cheese Balls from North Carolina Food Blogger Adventures of Frugal Mom

It is that time of year. Do you know what that means? I know you are probably thinking Fall and Pumpkin Spice since most of the recipes I have shared recently have been pumpkin related. But nope it is Fair Time. I have been lucky that in the past few years, I have been allowed to judge our local county fair. I love getting to see the different craft items that are entered in the fair. And I also get a little personal satisfaction when I help to chose those that get a ribbon. But besides judging at the fair, there is another thing I love, and that is Fair Food. Deep fry anything, and it always tastes better.

But sometimes all that deep-fried food is not suitable for our waistline or for our bodies in general. So I decided to create a different type of deep-fried fair goodness using my air fryer. This recipe was also inspired by my youngest daughter deep love for the American Classic Mac and Cheese. So without further adieu here is my recipe for Mac and Cheese Balls in an air fryer.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb Macaroni( cooked as directed on the box )
2 (8 oz) Packages of Colby Jack cheese
4 jalapenos diced
1 1/4 cup Whole Milk
1/2 cup Flour
1/4 cup butter
2 Eggs
3 cup Panko
Salt & Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Boil macaroni until tender, drain and set aside.
Shred your Colby and Jack cheese and set aside.
Dice your jalapenos and set to the side
Make a roux
In a large pan, over medium heat melt your butter
Add flour and mix until combined and it’s a light brown color.
Add 1 cup of whole milk and whisk until thick.
Add your cheese one cup at a time.
Mix until cheese is all melted and smooth.
Repeat with remaining cheese.
Add the macaroni and jalapenos and mix until well coated.
Add salt and pepper.
Set to the side.
Now place your macaroni and cheese in a container and put it in your refrigerator.
Refrigerator for 1 hour.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Form your macaroni and cheese into 1? balls and place on your pan.
Place in freezer for 1 hour.
In a medium-sized bowl beat the eggs and add 1/4 cup milk in a bowl.
Dip balls into egg wash then roll in the panko.
Make sure to coat completely.
Heat your Air Fryer to 380′ and cook for 12 minutes.

Fair Food Mac and Cheese Balls

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 12

Total Time 12

Ingredients

1 lb Macaroni cooked as directed on the box
2 8 oz Packages of Colby Jack cheese
4 jalapenos diced
1 1/4 cup Whole Milk
1/2 cup Flour
1/4 cup butter
2 Eggs
3 cup Panko
Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions

Boil macaroni until tender, drain and set aside.
Shred your Colby and Jack cheese and set aside.
Dice your jalapenos and set to the side
Make a roux
In a large pan, over medium heat melt your butter
Add flour and mix until combined and its a light brown color.
Add 1 cup of whole milk and whisk until thick.
Add your cheese one cup at a time.
Mix until cheese is all melted and smooth.
Repeat with remaining cheese.
Add the macaroni and jalapenos and mix until well coated.
Add salt and pepper.
Set to the side.
Now place your macaroni and cheese in a container and put it in your refrigerator.
Refrigerator for 1 hour.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Form your macaroni and cheese into 1? balls and place on your pan.
Place in freezer for 1 hour.
In a medium sized bowl beat the eggs and add 1/4 cup milk in a bowl.
Dip balls into egg wash then roll in the panko.
Make sure to coat completely.
Heat your Air Fryer to 380′ and cook for 12 minutes.