There are some recipes I make when I want proper comfort food without spending ages in the kitchen, and air fryer macaroni cheese is definitely one of them.

I usually make this when I have a bit of leftover cooked macaroni in the fridge, but honestly, it is so easy that I’ll sometimes cook the pasta specifically for it. The air fryer does the lovely final part for you — turning that creamy, cheesy pasta into something golden and bubbling on top.

And if you’re new to using an air fryer, this is a great recipe to start with. There’s no complicated technique here. Just mix, layer, cook and enjoy!

The result is creamy macaroni cheese with a beautifully browned, cheesy top and those slightly crispy edges that I always sneak a spoonful of.

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Ingredients

Serves 4

For the macaroni cheese

• 300g macaroni pasta

• 30g butter

• 30g plain/all-purpose flour

• 400ml milk

• 150ml double/heavy cream

• 200g mature cheddar cheese, grated

• 50g mozzarella, grated

• 1 tsp English mustard or Dijon mustard

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp paprika

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

For the topping

• 50g grated cheddar

• 30g mozzarella

• 2 tbsp breadcrumbs, optional

• A little paprika, optional

Tip: I like using mature cheddar because it gives the macaroni cheese plenty of flavour without needing loads of cheese.

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How to Make Air Fryer Macaroni Cheese

1. Cook the macaroni

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions.

I usually cook it about 1 minute less than the recommended time because it will continue cooking in the air fryer.

Drain well and set aside.

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2. Make the creamy cheese sauce

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

Add the flour and stir for about 1 minute to make a smooth paste.

Gradually pour in the milk, stirring continuously so you don’t end up with lumps.

Add the cream and keep stirring until the sauce thickens slightly.

Now add:

• Mature cheddar

• Mozzarella

• Mustard

• Garlic powder

• Paprika

• Black pepper

Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Taste it before adding salt because cheddar can already be quite salty.

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3. Combine the pasta and sauce

Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and gently stir everything together.

Make sure every piece of pasta is coated in that lovely creamy sauce.

Honestly, at this point it is already difficult not to eat it straight from the saucepan!

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4. Transfer to an air-fryer-safe dish

Lightly grease an air-fryer-safe baking dish or use a suitable dish that fits comfortably inside your air fryer.

Spoon in the macaroni cheese and spread it into an even layer.

Don’t pack it right to the very top of the dish — leave a little room for bubbling.

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5. Add the cheesy topping

Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella over the top.

If you like a little crunch, scatter over the breadcrumbs.

I usually add a tiny sprinkle of paprika too. It gives the finished macaroni cheese that gorgeous golden colour.

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6. Air fry until golden and bubbling

Preheat your air fryer to 180°C / 350°F if your model requires preheating.

Place the dish into the air fryer and cook for approximately 8–12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling and golden brown.

Keep an eye on it towards the end because air fryers can vary quite a lot.

If you like a really browned, crispy top, give it another 1–2 minutes, but watch carefully so the cheese doesn’t burn.

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7. Let it rest

This is the hardest part!

Take the macaroni cheese out and leave it for around 5 minutes before serving.

The sauce will settle slightly and become even creamier.

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My Best Tips for Air Fryer Macaroni Cheese

Don’t overcook the pasta

Slightly undercooked macaroni works best because it gets another few minutes of cooking in the air fryer.

Use a strong-flavoured cheese

Mature cheddar gives you much more flavour than mild cheddar. You can also experiment with Gruyère, Red Leicester or a little Parmesan.

Keep some sauce

Don’t make the cheese sauce too thick before adding the pasta. The macaroni absorbs some of the sauce while cooking, so you want it to start off nice and creamy.

Don’t overcrowd the dish

A shallow dish gives you more delicious golden topping and allows the heat to circulate around the food.

Watch the final few minutes

The difference between beautifully golden cheese and burnt cheese can be surprisingly small in an air fryer!

Add breadcrumbs for crunch

If you’re a fan of crispy toppings, breadcrumbs mixed with a little melted butter make a lovely crunchy layer.

Every air fryer is different

Cooking times are a guide. Your particular air fryer may cook faster or slower, so check the macaroni cheese a couple of minutes before the suggested finishing time.

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Easy Variations

One of the things I love about macaroni cheese is how easy it is to change.

Add bacon

Cook some bacon until crispy, chop it up and stir it through the macaroni before air frying.

Add vegetables

Broccoli, peas, sweetcorn or cooked spinach are easy additions.

Make it spicy

Add a pinch of chilli flakes or a little hot sauce to the cheese sauce.

Add chicken

Leftover cooked chicken makes this much more filling and is a great way to use up leftovers.

Try different cheeses

A mixture of cheddar and mozzarella is my simple go-to, but you can add Parmesan, Gouda, Gruyère or Red Leicester for a different flavour.

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What to Serve With Macaroni Cheese

This is filling enough to serve on its own, especially for lunch, but I usually pair it with something fresh.

Try it with:

• A simple green salad

• Steamed broccoli

• Green beans

• Garlic bread

• Roasted vegetables

• Grilled chicken

• Crispy bacon

• Tomato and cucumber salad

For a really easy dinner, macaroni cheese + green salad is one of my favourite combinations.

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How to Store Leftover Macaroni Cheese

If you have leftovers, allow them to cool and transfer them to an airtight container.

Keep them refrigerated and use within 2–3 days.

To reheat, place a portion in an air-fryer-safe dish and heat at around 160°C / 320°F until piping hot throughout.

If it looks a little dry, stir in a splash of milk before reheating. This helps bring the creamy texture back.

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Approximate Nutrition Per Serving

Based on 4 servings and the ingredients above:

These figures are estimates and will vary depending on the specific pasta, cheese, milk and other ingredients used.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make macaroni cheese entirely in the air fryer?

For this recipe, I recommend cooking the pasta and making the cheese sauce first, then using the air fryer to finish the dish. This gives you much better control over the texture and creates that lovely golden, bubbling top.

Can I use pre-cooked macaroni?

Absolutely. In fact, leftover cooked macaroni is perfect for this recipe. Just make sure it hasn’t been overcooked, as it will soften further when you air fry it.

What temperature should I use for macaroni cheese in an air fryer?

I usually use 180°C / 350°F. Cook for around 8–12 minutes, checking regularly towards the end until the top is golden and bubbling.

Why is my macaroni cheese dry?

The pasta may have absorbed more sauce than expected, or the dish may have been cooked for too long. Next time, make the cheese sauce slightly looser and keep an eye on it during the final few minutes.

Can I freeze air fryer macaroni cheese?

Yes. Allow it to cool completely, portion it into suitable freezer containers and freeze. When reheating, make sure it is thoroughly hot all the way through. Adding a small splash of milk can help restore some of the creaminess.

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Final Thoughts

If you want quick, easy comfort food, this air fryer macaroni cheese is one I keep coming back to.

I love that you get the best of both worlds: creamy, cheesy macaroni underneath and a golden, slightly crispy topping on top. And because the air fryer handles the final cooking, there’s no need to turn on the oven just to make a small batch.