Crispy Ranch Mac and Cheese Balls in the Air Fryer

Begin by cooking the macaroni according to package directions. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender, approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain well without rinsing and return the cooked macaroni to the pot.

Incorporate the cheesy base. Add 1/4 cup of milk, margarine pieces, and the cheese sauce packet from the dinner mix to the cooked macaroni. Stir continuously until everything is thoroughly combined, creating a smooth and creamy mixture.

Enhance the cheese factor. Introduce the shredded Cheddar cheese and the remaining 1/2 cup of milk. Stir until the Cheddar is completely melted and evenly distributed, enriching the mac and cheese with a sharper, more robust flavor. (5 minutes)

Chill the mixture. Transfer the mac and cheese to a bowl with a lid. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the mixture to firm up, making it easier to shape into balls.

Prepare for freezing. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Using an ice cream scoop, form the chilled mac and cheese into 1 1/2-inch balls. Place the formed balls on the prepared baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour. This step is crucial for maintaining the shape during air frying.

Create the crispy coating. Pulse cheese crackers in a food processor until finely ground into crumbs. Transfer crumbs to a bowl and stir in the ranch dressing mix, ensuring an even distribution of flavor. In a separate bowl, place the beaten eggs.

Preheat and prep the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the mac and cheese balls from sticking.

Coat the mac and cheese balls. Dip each frozen mac and cheese ball first into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated. Then, dredge it in the cracker mixture, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere evenly. (10 minutes)

Air fry to golden perfection. Place the coated mac and cheese balls in the preheated air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. Work in batches if necessary. Spray the tops of the balls lightly with cooking spray to encourage browning. Cook in the preheated air fryer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, spray the tops of the balls again with cooking spray and continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Serve immediately. Transfer the crispy ranch mac and cheese balls to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Serve immediately and enjoy the explosion of flavors and textures!