Air Fryer Fried Cheese Curds
Ingredients
Equipment
Steps
- 1
Freeze cheese curds for 30 minutes (this prevents them from melting too fast during cooking).
- 2
Set up breading: flour, beaten eggs, panko mixed with garlic powder.
- 3
Dredge frozen curds in flour, then egg, then panko.
- 4
Spray all sides with cooking spray.
- 5
Air fry at 400°F for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Act fast — they go from perfectly gooey to fully melted quickly. Serve immediately with ranch or marinara.
Tip: Freezing the curds first is essential — it gives you a window where the outside is crispy but the inside is just starting to melt. Fresh cheese curds squeak when you bite them; that's how you know they're real. If you can't find curds, cubed mild cheddar works.
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