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Air Fried Babybel Cheese

Crispy on the outside, incredibly gooey on the inside. These double-breaded Air Fried Babybel Cheese bites are the ultimate easy party appetizer or late-night snack.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Servings: 10 bites
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 140
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheese & Breading
  • 10 count Mini Babybel Cheese unwrapped, wax removed
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1.5 cups Panko breadcrumbs
Seasonings
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
For Cooking & Serving
  • 1 spray cooking oil spray olive or avocado
  • 1 cup marinara sauce warmed, for dipping
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Three shallow bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Unwrap the Babybel cheeses, completely removing the red wax.
  2. Set up a breading station with three bowls: flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and Panko mixed with all seasonings in the third.
  3. Coat each cheese wheel in flour, dip in the egg wash, and press into the seasoned Panko breadcrumbs.
  4. Crucial Step: Dip the breadcrumb-coated cheese back into the egg wash, and then back into the Panko for a second coat to prevent cheese explosions.
  5. Place breaded cheese bites on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Generously spray the frozen cheese bites with cooking spray on all sides.
  7. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, checking frequently, until deeply golden brown and crispy.
  8. Remove carefully, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

Notes

Freezing the cheese before air frying is absolutely mandatory. It lowers the internal temperature so the breading can crisp up before the cheese fully melts and leaks out.