Air Fryer Cheese Curds
by Sommer Collier — last updated on May 20, 2025 
This easy air fryer recipes makes the most crisp, cheesy-gooey, addictively delicious (and lighter) Fried Cheese Curds with just a handful of simple ingredients. They’re ready to serve with marinara or other favorite dipping sauces in less than 30 minutes!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
The first time I ever had fried cheese curds was in a little pub in Wisconsin. And let me just say: They are. Life. Changing.
There’s nothing like authentic Wisconsin cheese curds breaded and fried to crispy golden perfection, with oozing cheese ready to explode in your mouth. But there is no need to fret if you don’t happen to live in the Dairy State… With this fantastic Air Fryer Cheese Curds recipe you can enjoy those famously delicious little bites right at home.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fried Cheese Curds Recipe
- Gooey melted cheese – Cheddar cheese curds are firm and keep their shape when cooked in high heat, but still also get that perfect melty cheese stretch when you bite in.
- Crunchy breading – We treat the curds to a double dip of flour and Panko breadcrumbs so that the breading is thick and crisps up just right.
- Lighter snack option – But even with that delectable breading, these are a healthier option since they don’t require deep frying in oil.
Make a batch in under 30 minutes, and serve as an appetizer, side dish, or party finger food. And don’t forget your favorite dipping sauces for a can’t-stop-won’t-stop snack!
Ingredients and Tips
- Cheese curds – Cold curds are best for the breading to stick. So keep them in the fridge right until you’re ready to coat!
- Breading – You’ll need one bowl of all-purpose flour, a second bowl with whisked eggs, and a third bowl with panko bread crumbs and spices.
- Oil spray – Use a high heat spray, like avocado or canola oil. Do not ever use Pam or other baking-specific nonstick oil, as these have ingredients that can damage the inside of the air fryer.
Recipe Variations
- Big flavor – Cheddar cheese curds are classic, but there are lots of different flavors out there! Try this recipe with Cajun, ranch, smoked cheddar, or any cheese curd variety you like.
- Gluten-free – It’s easy to make this a gf-friendly fried cheese curd recipe. Simply swap all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free alternative.
- Breading – If you prefer not to use Panko breadcrumbs, feel free to substitute them with regular, unseasoned breadcrumbs.
- Spice it up – Consider adding smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or even crushed red pepper to the breadcrumbs.
How to Make Air Fried Cheese Curds
Tips for Success – The biggest thing to remember, is the thicker the breading is, the less likely they are to leak as they fry. Make sure to double-dunk your cheese curds as much as needed to create the perfect coating.
It’s very likely that some of the air fryer cheese curds will leak if the coating is thin, so after the first batch, bread the second batch a little thicker if needed.
Find the full Air Fryer Cheese Curds recipe with detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Fried cheese is best to enjoy shortly after cooking. But leftovers will keep well for up to 2 or 3 days. Let them cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container and placing them in the fridge.
- Reheating – You can bake them on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes, until warm. For the crunchiest reheated cheese curds, I recommend briefly air frying them again… 350°F for 3-4 minutes should do the trick!
Serving Suggestions
Serve air fryer cheese curds hot by themselves or with your favorite dipping sauces!
We love to pair them with creamy blue cheese or ranch dressing, marinara sauce, homemade buffalo sauce, creamy pesto sauce, peri peri sauce, or southern comeback sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
The air fryer is great for making frozen curds, too! Preheat the fryer to 400°F, place the frozen curds in the basket, and cook for 5-6 minutes.
I find 350°F is best for crispy curds that don’t have major cheese leakage issues.
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Air Fryer Cheese Curds Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cheese curds cold
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Oil spray
Instructions
- Set out three bowls. Place the flour in one bowl. Crack the eggs into the second bowl and whisk well. Then combine the Panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper in the third bowl. Mix well.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Remove the cheese curds from the refrigerator and dunk half of them and the flour, stirring to coat. Working in small batches, dunk a handful of floured cheese curds in the egg. Stir with a fork to make sure the cheese curds are well coated in egg and the moisture from the egg saturates the flour. (It’s helpful to let the cheese curds soak in the egg a bit.) Then roll the cheese curds in the prepared Panko breadcrumb mixture. Check each curd. If you see gaps in the breading, re-dunk in the egg and then back in the breadcrumbs. Set aside and repeat with the remaining first batch of cheese curds until half of them (8oz) are ready for the air fryer.
- Spread the cheese curds in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not touch. Spray thoroughly with oil spray. Then air fry for 4 to 6 minutes, until golden and crispy. It’s very likely that some of the air fryer cheese curds will leak if the coating is thin, so after the first batch, bread the second batch a little thicker if needed.
- Serve hot as- is, or with a side of blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, or marinara sauce.
This was the first time making these and they were amazing! Even my one son that eats nothing loved them!
These are one of my favorite snacks. And so easy to put together!
this is amazing and perfect for my game nights I have ahead of me! thank you so much for sharing this recipe with me
Fried cheese curds are my weakness and I really loved this lightened-up and even easier version! So tasty!