If you’ve never tried air fryer mac and cheese before, you’re in for a treat. This recipe gives you all the creamy, cheesy comfort of classic baked mac and cheese — but with less mess and a crisp, golden top that only the air fryer can deliver.
Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner, a side dish for the holidays, or just craving something cozy, this air fryer mac and cheese hits every note: creamy, flavorful, and easy to make in one dish.
🧀 Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
• No boiling required. Everything cooks right in the air fryer dish.
• Extra creamy and cheesy. Thanks to heavy cream, cheddar, and mozzarella.
• Perfect crust on top. Stirring in intervals helps melt the cheese evenly.
• Ready in under an hour. Minimal effort for maximum comfort food flavor.
🍲 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into this creamy air fryer mac and cheese:
2 cups elbow macaroni
1 ½ cups water
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 tsp Dijon mustard – adds a mild tang that deepens the flavor
½ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika, divided
2 tbsp unsalted butter
🔥 How to Make Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
Making mac and cheese in the air fryer is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a comfort food favorite with less cleanup and more flavor. It’s creamy on the inside, golden on top, and ridiculously satisfying. Once you try it, you might never go back to oven-baked mac again.
How to Make Mac and Cheese in the Air Fryer (No-Boil Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded (divided)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard – adds a mild tang that deepens the flavor
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika divided
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: In an air fryer-safe baking dish, add macaroni, water, heavy cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, and butter. Stir well to combine.Air fry: Place the dish in your air fryer and cook at 360°F for 45 minutes, stopping every 15 minutes to stir. This helps the pasta cook evenly and prevents sticking.
- Add more cheese: During each stir, sprinkle in a little more of the remaining cheese. By the final 15 minutes, top with the rest of the cheese and remaining paprika for that crispy, golden crust. Rest and serve: Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving so it thickens slightly. Creamy center, crispy top — total perfection!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
💡 Tips for the Best Results
• Use sharp cheddar for depth and mozzarella for that stretchy cheese pull.
• Stirring every 15 minutes is key — it ensures the pasta cooks evenly.
• For extra crunch, top with breadcrumbs in the last 10 minutes.
• Use a deep air fryer-safe pan to prevent overflow.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
Serve your air fryer mac and cheese with:
• Crispy fried soy garlic chicken wings
• BBQ ribs, fried pork shoulders, or pulled pork
• A simple green salad or roasted vegetablesIt’s also perfect as a holiday side dish that saves oven space!
❓ FAQ
Yes, but the texture will be slightly lighter. Heavy cream gives it that rich, restaurant-style creaminess.
Nope! The air fryer does it all — just make sure to stir every 15 minutes.
Absolutely. Try gouda, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack for extra flavor.
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