On busy weeknights or just when you need a quick snack, take a simple bag of cheese curds to a whole new level with these easy, Gluten-Free Air Fried Cheese Curds. These won’t last long if your household is anything like mine. Set them out on the counter and watch them disappear before your eyes.
This recipe is crispy, golden-brown, and wrapped around warm, melted cheese in less than 8 minutes. It’s also easy to make gluten-free with just a few simple swaps. I’ve made these many times over the years, and it never fails that the only complaint is that we didn’t make extra! Using this quick technique, you can easily air fry cheese curds with minimal oil.
What are Air Fried Cheese Curds?
Air Fryer Cheese Curds are an easy, bite-sized appetizer made by coating fresh dairy cheese curds in a seasoned, gluten-free flour and breadcrumb mixture. After that, it’s all about using your air fryer at a high temperature to get them golden brown. This method is very popular because it mimics deep frying without the oil.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in less than 10 minutes of active cooking!
- Easy to make gluten-free with just a few swaps.
- Made with pantry ingredients plus your cheese curds.
- Less oil and mess than deep frying, just use an oil spray!
- Perfect family-friendly snack.
Ingredient Notes
- Cheese Curds – Pick up high-quality fresh cheese curds; white or yellow cheddar works well. They should be firm and cold before breading the cheese curds.
- Eggs – This is the glue that holds the breading to the curds.
- Gluten-Free or Regular All-Purpose Flour – Ensures the egg will stick perfectly. Use a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour if you plan to make these gluten-free.
- Gluten-Free or Regular Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs give the best crispy texture, but if you need gluten-free, use gluten-free high-quality breadcrumbs, either panko or fine.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese – Gives a wonderful double cheese flavor to the breading.
- Italian Seasoning – Adds the flavor to the breading to give the cheese curds a savory flavor.
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray – Oil spray is needed to get the golden brown texture.
How to Make Air Fried Cheese Curds
- Begin by freezing the cheese curds in the freezer for about 1 hour at least before making these.
- Once they are frozen, prepare 3 bowls.
- One bowl with flour.
- Another bowl with the beaten eggs.
- Lastly, a bowl with the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
- Dip each cheese curd in the flour, shake off the excess.
- Coat completely with egg.
- Roll in the breadcrumbs.
- Place on a plate and continue to do the remaining cheese curds.
- Place the cheese curds back in the freezer for an additional 10 minutes.
- Once frozen, spray the air fryer basket with a cooking oil spray of choice.
- Place the cheese curds evenly in the air fryer.
- Cook at 390°F for 5 to 8 minutes, coating them with additional spray if needed. If they look floury, add more spray.
- Cook until browned.
- Serve.
Tips for Best Air Fried Cheese Curds
- Freeze the curds to avoid leaking out in the air fryer. This will help them crisp up before getting overly melted.
- Use an oil spray; do not use an aerosol spray. The best ones to use are olive oil spray or grapeseed oil spray.
- Leave room in the basket for air to fully circulate.
- Every air fryer cooks differently. Watch them closely, and as soon as the first bead of cheese starts to drip out, they’re done!
Variations of Air Fried Cheese Curds
- Spicy Buffalo Style – Add cayenne pepper or crushed pepper flakes, then toss in buffalo sauce before serving.
- Italian Style – Kick up the Italian seasonings by adding in extra oregano and basil.
- Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this a gluten-free snack!
Frequently Asked Questions
This happens if the cheese curds were not frozen long enough before cooking or if you had a gap in the breading.
It works the same for mozzarella sticks; just follow this recipe for Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks.
Make cheese curds gluten-free by using gluten-free all-purpose flour that is a 1:1 ratio with regular flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Best Dipping Sauces for Air Fried Cheese Curds
- Barbecue Sauce
- Ranch Dressing
- Marinara Sauce
- Buffalo Sauce
- Honey Mustard
Storage and Reheating
Store any leftover cooked cheese curds in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Place the leftover cheese curds back in the preheated air fryer at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through and recrisp.
These simple Air-Fried Cheese Curds are the best gooey snack that everyone will love. It is made using pantry staples, tasty fresh cheese curds, and a delicious breading.
Air Fried Cheese Curds (Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 8 oz Cheese Curds
- 4 Eggs Beaten
- 1/2 Cup Gluten-Free or Regular All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 Cup Gluten-Free or Regular Breadcrumbs
- 1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
- Cooking Oil Spray of Choice
Instructions
- Begin by freezing the cheese curds in the freezer for about 1 hour at least before making these.
- Once they are frozen, prepare 3 bowls.
- One bowl with flour.
- Another bowl with the beaten eggs.
- Lastly, a bowl with the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
- Dip each cheese curd in the flour, shake off the excess.
- Coat completely with egg.
- Roll in the breadcrumbs.
- Place on a plate and continue to do the remaining cheese curds.
- Place the cheese curds back in the freezer for an additional 10 minutes.
- Once frozen, spray the air fryer basket with a cooking oil spray of choice.
- Place the cheese curds evenly in the air fryer.
- Cook at 390°F for 5-8 minutes, coating them with additional spray if needed. If they look floury, add more spray.
- Cook until browned.
- Serve.
Mary Ann says
Where do you get cheese curds?
Kristy says
I grab them at our local grocery store, Walmart normally has them too they are usually where all the fresh cheeses are near the deli.