Move over mozzarella sticks, there’s another contender for most awesome fried cheese snack. These air fryer frozen cheese curds deliver a crunchy golden brown crust and gooey, stringy, perfectly cheesy center in under 10 minutes.
I mean, who doesn’t love gooey cheese? These poppable bites make a perfect side in place of fries when you want to change it up.
Put them out as an appetizer or on your game day snack table and watch them disappear! They’re the absolute perfect pair to Air Fryer Frozen Mini Corn Dogs too.
Breaded frozen cheese curds take the prep work out of dredging so you can jump right to cooking – no defrosting required!
Whether you serve them solo or with a dipping sauce, these famously squeaky cheese bites are a crowd-pleasing favorite.
Shopping List – What You Need
Frozen breaded cheese curds (such as FarmRich or Member’s Mark)
Dipping sauce (optional)
Ingredient Tips & Tricks
Cheese curds. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size you get, since every curd is unique!
Dipping sauce isn’t necessary, but is a nice way to add additional flavor. I recommend marinara, ranch, Campfire sauce, buffalo sauce, or caramel for a sweet and salty twist
How to Cook Frozen Breaded Cheese Curds in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Place the frozen cheese curds in the preheated air fryer basket, allowing space between them
Cook on the air fry setting for 5-6 minutes, pausing halfway through to shake the basket, until exterior is crispy and browned, and curds give easily under slight pressure
Continue cooking in 1-minute increments, until the desired level of browning is achieved
Serve with your favorite dipping sauces (or on their own)!
Yes, you can make frozen cheese curds in an air fryer.
Your air fryer delivers a crispy exterior while melting the cheese inside. It takes less time than the oven or toaster oven with an equally good or better result.
How Long to Cook Frozen Cheese Curds in the Air Fryer?
Typically, frozen cheese curds cook in about 5-6 minutes in the air fryer. You do not need to defrost them.
The time may vary slightly based on the size of your curds and the size and power of your air fryer. You may want to cook them for additional time to increase the level of browning on the exterior breading.
When reheating cheese curds in the air fryer, cook for 2-3 minutes at 400°F or until the cheese is soft again.
Cheese curds only keep well for 2-3 days in the refrigerator, so make sure to reheat them within that time frame.
Recipe Expert Advice
You don’t need to add any oil during cooking. The curds come with it already in the batter when they’re frozen
It is normal for some of the cheese curds to burst open while cooking. They’re still just as delicious!
I cooked mine for a total of 10 minutes in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer to achieve my desired brownness on the outside, but you can adjust to taste and based on your air fryer
Store any leftovers in a container in the refrigerator and use within 3 days. Reheat for 3 minutes at 400°F in the air fryer for best results
Air fryer frozen cheese curds are the perfect side when you want to change things up. Plus, since they’re so easy to make, you’ll have no qualms adding them to the rotation.
They’re also great on an appetizer platter, serving up cheesy goodness on game day. Anyone from Wisconsin would tell you cheese curds pair best with a cold beer!
No matter which way you enjoy them, these squeaky curds are a gooey, salty, crunchy, and delicious bite-sized snack any time.
Easy Air Fryer Frozen Cheese Curds
Starting with frozen breaded cheese curds allows you to get this easy side or appetizer on the table in 10 minutes or less. Your air fryer makes them golden brown, crispy, and oh so cheesy.
1poundFrozen cheese curds (such as Farm Rich or Member’s Mark)
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Place the frozen cheese curds in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket
1 pound Frozen cheese curds
Cook on the air fry setting for 5-6 minutes, pausing halfway through to shake the basket, until exterior is crispy and browned, and curds give easily under slight pressure
Continue cooking in 1-minute increments, until the desired level of browning is achieved
Serve with a cold beer and your favorite dipping sauces (or on their own)!
Notes
There is no need to add any oil for cooking (it’s in the breading already)
It’s normal for a few to split open during cooking (don’t worry, they still taste great)
I cooked mine for 10 minutes total in a Ninja air fryer, but you can adjust based on your desired level of browning
Buffalo sauce is my favorite dipping option, but feel free to experiment with others!
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat at 400°F for 3 minutes in the air fryer
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, quantity consumed, and any sauces used, so please consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fryer cheese curds, air fryer frozen cheese curds, cheese curds, farm rich cheese curds air fryer, frozen cheese curds, frozen cheese curds in air fryer, frozen cheese nuggets in air fryer, frozen fried cheese curds, how long to cook cheese curds in air fryer, how to cook frozen cheese curds, reheating cheese curds in air fryer
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
