This air fryer mac and cheese starts with dry macaroni and comes out creamy, with no pot of boiling water and nothing to drain. The pasta cooks right in the cream with sharp cheddar, all in one pan.
You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!
Macaroni and cheese is something that happens quite often around our house. Whether it’s this creamy baked macaroni and cheese recipe or this white cheddar mac and cheese in the Instant Pot, we are a pasta-loving family, and mac and cheese is a favorite. I also have a slow cooker mac and cheese that skips the pre-boil just like this one, and a quick stovetop mac and cheese for busy weeknights.
I bet you’re wondering if you can make macaroni and cheese in your Air Fryer. The answer is a huge YES! Because I love my Air Fryer, I wondered how I could make mac and cheese in it. I knew a few things: I did not want to boil the noodles first, and I wanted a quick recipe. I’m glad to report that this recipe fits the bill.
Ingredient Notes
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Elbow noodles – I use standard uncooked elbow macaroni because the size and cook time work perfectly for the air fryer without needing to pre-boil. Smaller shapes like ditalini work with a few minutes less. Larger shapes like cavatappi need a few minutes more and a little extra liquid to stay covered.
- Heavy cream – Gives the sauce its rich, velvety texture and prevents it from separating or drying out as it cooks.
- Water – Provides the essential liquid needed to cook the pasta directly in the air fryer pan.
- Sharp cheddar cheese – Freshly shredded sharp cheddar delivers great flavor and melts into a silky sauce. Avoid bagged pre-shredded cheese, as the anti-caking additives will make the sauce gritty.
- Seasonings (dry mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper) – Dry mustard cuts through the richness and enhances the cheese flavor, while a hint of garlic powder, kosher salt, and cracked pepper add flavor.
How to Make Mac and Cheese in Your Air Fryer
Please see the recipe card below for the full printable recipe, ingredients, and instructions. Here you will find step-by-step photos of how to make this recipe.
First, if using block cheese, which I highly recommend, shred it. I find that block cheese melts much better than the pre-shredded packaged kind.
Then combine uncooked elbow macaroni, water, heavy cream, mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and about ¾ of the shredded cheese in a 7-inch pan that fits in your Air Fryer and is deep enough to hold the macaroni. I use the cake pan that comes in this Air Fryer Accessory set. Stir until combined.
Place in your Air Fryer and cook at 360°F (180°C) for 18-20 minutes, stirring and adding the remaining cheese halfway through cooking.
Once done, your mac and cheese will look hot, bubbly, and watery. Please don’t stress, because....
Once you stir, it'll start to thicken up.
And once you let it cool a bit, it'll thicken up even more, and you'll have yummy creamy mac and cheese goodness.
Tanya's Recipe Notes
- I use sharp cheddar for this recipe, but you can certainly add any combination of cheeses you like. Here’s a list of great cheeses for mac and cheese from the pros.
- The cheese will thicken while it cools. It’s a good idea to let it rest before digging in.
- Various air fryers will cook at different speeds, so you’ll want to make sure you check it halfway through. My Philips took a total of 18 minutes to complete this dish, while my Ninja Foodi took 20 minutes.
- Check that your macaroni is just barely covered by liquid before the pan goes in. If any is sitting above the surface, add water a tablespoon at a time until it goes under. Pasta above the liquid line stays hard no matter how long you cook it.
- Do not double this in an air fryer basket. The layer gets too deep, the top scorches before the middle cooks
Storage and Reheating
- Store: Let cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheat (Microwave): Add a splash of milk or cream, then microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between until warmed through.
- Reheat (Air Fryer): Transfer to an air-fryer-safe dish, stir in a tablespoon of milk or cream, cover loosely with foil, and heat at 320°F (160°C) for 4–6 minutes.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the pasta becomes mushy and the cheese sauce separates.
What to serve with this air fryer macaroni and cheese? Here are some other great options.
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Instant Pot Cabbage
- BBQ Air Fryer Ribs
You can also use this recipe to make these Air Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls recipe. And if you want a smokier, saucier version, try my BBQ Mac and Cheese.
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do. If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Your feedback is invaluable and helps us grow. Thank you for your support!
Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Recipe
Instructions
- Combine elbow macaroni, water, heavy cream, ¾ of the cheese, dry mustard, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in a 7-inch pan that is deep enough to hold all the ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Place in Air Fryer basket and set Air Fryer on 360°F (180°C). Set the timer for 18-20 minutes and start Air Fryer. Halfway through cooking, open the Air Fryer basket and add remaining cheese and stir. Close and continue cooking.
- Once the Air Fryer is done cooking, open Air Fryer and stir the mac and cheese. Remove the pan from the basket and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes. The mac and cheese will thicken while it cools. Serve and Enjoy 🙂
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This post was originally published on August 13, 2019. It has been updated with new information.
Michele says
9 minutes into cooking and my noodles were burning on the top. Im afraid this might not be edible 🙁
Tanya says
Hi Michele, if the cheese/liquid is a little dark it's still ok. Give it a stir and continue cooking. The noodles should not be burning.
Wanda says
Can I save some for leftovers, or do I have to eat it right away.thanks
Tanya says
You can save some for leftovers.
Maria Romero says
Do you use uncooked macaroni for this recipe?
Tanya says
Yes, I use uncooked macaroni.
Cathy says
Hey! New to the air fryer game. I have the Philips XXL. I am wondering if my instant pot accessory that looks similar to what you're using here, would be OK to use in the air fryer? Thank you so much!
Tanya says
Hi Cathy, yes, as long as it the pan fits inside the air fryer and is oven safe. Most of the Instant Pot accessories are oven safe.
Cathy says
@Tanya, you're the best for answering so quickly - thank you!
ron says
Hi....My question is....Can I use a Kraft box of mac n cheese in my air fryer?...If so, do I need to alter the box instructions?.....Thanks.....Ron here in AZ
Tanya says
Hi Rob, I haven’t used kraft box Mac and cheese but it should work. I’m guessing the same cook time, I’m just unsure about the liquid to pasta ratios.
Kris says
@ron, I made a box of the Kraft and a box of Annie's shells... What I can tell you is this; do not use the shells - they can flip over and keep the water/cheese powder/milk from mixing into the bowl. Also the shells burn easier. The Kraft worked out perfectly though, I increased the water to 1-1/4 c and used the measurements for milk and butter on the box - I didn't have heavy cream and I did cube the butter into smaller pieces. And you should stir it more frequently too. My air fryer (I have the Copper model) only required 18 min at 360°F, but I stirred it about every 3 minutes. I hope this helps
Jenelle says
@Kris, In the next comment, you said you haven't used mac & cheese in the box. I'm confused. What did you use "a box of the Kraft and shells" are the same?
Miranda says
What would be the cooking time if I doubled the recipe? Would I double cook time as well? I love this recipe and want to make it for my in laws!
Tanya says
Hi Miranda, I haven't doubled the recipe in the air fryer yet but I would only increase the cook time by a few minutes and keep checking for doneness. I feel like doubling the time per se may be a little too long with the cooktime.
Rosemary May says
I ended up cooking my Mac and cheese for 30-40 mi items and still the macaroni was t done. I also had to add more liquid, I will try my own recipe next time.
Tanya says
Hi, sorry to hear you had those results. I've made this recipe as written in 3 different air fryer machines and the results were always perfect.
Cindy Jenkins says
I saw this recipe and would love to try it. I have the Ninja Foodi Delux. Instead of bying a sepeate bowl for the mac, can I use the bowl that comes with the foodi (the one that the air fry basket sits in?
Tanya says
Hi Cindy, that should work fine. You may have to adjust the cook time by cooking a little longer to get the noodles al dente.
mamasylvis says
I was so sure this wouldn't work but it did! My "air fryer" is the air fryer setting on the new Alexa smart oven and I didn't have a suitable 7" heatproof pan, so I used a Corelle casserols dish. I am just ecstatic at finding an EASY way to make good homemade mac 'n' cheese. Can't wait to try other cheeses in it!
Catherine says
Yum! So good! Used kids’ pasta as I couldn’t find elbow macaroni and it was perfect.
Kelley Hensley says
I have to say, "Holy cow!!!" Fabulous. This is a keeper recipe. I am wondering, have you ever used different types of cheeses other than just sharp? Thanks. I have asked to join your Facebook page and am now following you on Pinterest. You go girl!!
Tanya says
Hi Kelley, Thank you! So glad you liked the mac and cheese. I haven't tried any other cheeses in this air fryer mac yet but I like to put a little smoked gouda in other mac and cheese recipes. I bet parmesan and broccoli would be a nice substitute to this as well.
Kelley Hensley says
You must also be a psychic because I picked up some smoked gouda today and am currently going to do half sharp cheddar and half gouda with some bacon bits on top before serving. I am excited to look through your recipes for the air fryer. I do not have a pressure cooker. Yet! What kind do you have?
Are y'all going to get any rain or anything from the hurricane?
Tanya says
That sounds amazing Kelley. We're expecting rain later on in the week. I'm hoping it doesn't get too bad. I'm praying that it doesn't do too much damage to the islands and the coast.
Cynthia Sweeney says
Is it like baked mac n cheese or like stovetop mac and cheese? Can I add an egg for it to be more like baked mnc?
Tanya says
Hi Cynthia, I'd say it's not as wet as stovetop as the cream sauce thickens up quite a bit. So closer to baked. I haven't tried adding an egg but I don't think that would hurt it.
Meagen Brosius says
I've been dying to find a new Mac and cheese recipe and this one was amazing. I don't think I've ever seen my family eat dinner so quickly! We will definitely be making this again!
Tanya says
So glad you liked the recipe Meagen 🙂
Ashley says
I had no idea I could make mac and cheese in my air fryer until I tried this recipe. So good!
Pauline lewis says
I shall try that it looks delicious