Meet your new snack-time obsession: Air Fried Babybel Cheese! Imagine golden, crispy bites with oozy, melty centers—all ready in just minutes using the magic of your air fryer. It’s the ultimate combination of convenience, fun, and pure cheesy satisfaction.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Crispy, Gooey Perfection: The air fryer transforms Babybel cheese into a crunchy-coated snack with a melty, irresistible center every single time.
- Super Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of basic pantry staples to create this crowd-pleasing treat—and most are probably already in your kitchen!
- Quick & Easy for Any Occasion: These are ready in minutes, making them perfect for an after-school bite, party appetizer, or spontaneous cheese craving.
- Fun for All Ages: Breaking into that crispy shell to reveal the molten cheese inside is ridiculously satisfying, no matter how old you are.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Air Fried Babybel Cheese so magical is just how little you need—each ingredient shines, working together to deliver both crunch and creamy, cheesy bliss. Here’s what you’ll want and why it matters:
- Babybel Cheese: The star—these perfectly portioned, mild cheese rounds get delightfully melty inside their crunchy coat.
- All-purpose Flour: Helps the egg stick and acts as a base for that shatteringly crisp coating.
- Eggs (whisked): The “glue” that holds all the breading together and helps it puff up golden in the air fryer.
- Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs: Adds flavor, texture, and tempting aroma—every bite is like a mini cheese stick bomb, but easier!
- Olive Oil Spray (optional): A light mist ensures you get that perfectly even, golden crunch without excess oil.
Variations
One of my favorite things about Air Fried Babybel Cheese is how easy it is to mix things up and make it your own! Don’t be afraid to play with seasonings or swap ingredients for a custom snack you’ll crave again and again.
- Spicy Kick: Stir red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne into the breadcrumbs for a feisty twist.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour for a totally celiac-friendly treat—no one will ever know the difference.
- Parmesan Crust: Mix a bit of freshly grated Parmesan into your breadcrumbs for an extra punch of cheesy flavor and irresistible crunch.
- Herb Lover’s Delight: Add a sprinkle of dried basil, oregano, or thyme to the crumbs for even more aromatic flair.
How to Make Air Fried Babybel Cheese
Step 1: Unwrap and Prep the Babybel Cheese
Start by unwrapping those adorable cheese rounds—remove both the red wax and plastic wrapping so you’re left with just the creamy semi-soft cheese. Set them on a plate and get ready for coating!
Step 2: Set Up the Dipping Stations
Take three shallow bowls: pour the flour into the first, whisk your eggs really well in the second, and fill the third with seasoned breadcrumbs. Lining up your stations before you start makes dredging a breeze and keeps your kitchen tidy.
Step 3: Coat Each Cheese Round
Roll each Babybel gently in flour, ensuring an even, light coating. Next, dip it into the whisked eggs—be generous, as this helps the breadcrumbs stick beautifully. Finally, press it into the breadcrumbs, coating all sides. Don’t be shy—double-dip in the egg and crumbs if you like an extra thick, crunchy shell!
Step 4: Spritz and Air Fry
Arrange coated cheese rounds in your air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch or overlap. Give them a quick spritz of olive oil spray—this is the secret to deep golden crispiness without the grease. Then, air fry at 380°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Time to watch them turn beautifully golden!
Step 5: Serve Immediately
Once that coating is gloriously crisp and golden, remove your Air Fried Babybel Cheese from the basket. Let them cool just a minute—enough to avoid burning your mouth!—then dive in while they’re melty and dreamy inside.
Pro Tips for Making Air Fried Babybel Cheese
- Double-Coating for No Leaks: For an extra crispy crust that holds in all that gooey cheese, dip each round twice in both the egg and breadcrumbs.
- Don’t Crowd the Basket: Be sure your Babybel rounds aren’t touching in the air fryer so they crisp up evenly on all sides.
- Golden Color, Not Burnt: Check for a deep golden color at the 8-minute mark—cooking too long can make the coating crunchy but risk leaking cheese.
- Serve Piping Hot: Air Fried Babybel Cheese is best when enjoyed straight from the fryer so the center is perfectly molten—don’t wait!
How to Serve Air Fried Babybel Cheese
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, sprinkle your crispy cheese rounds with finely chopped parsley or a light dusting of Parmesan. A crack of black pepper or a pinch of smoked paprika can also punch up the flavor and color—go as fancy (or simple) as you like!
Side Dishes
Pair Air Fried Babybel Cheese with a cozy bowl of tomato soup for dipping, a crisp side salad tossed in vinaigrette, or a colorful crudité platter. They’re also fabulous as a party appetizer alongside tangy marinara, ranch, or honey mustard for dunking.
Creative Ways to Present
Thread them onto skewers with cherry tomatoes and basil for a whimsical cheese kabob, or stack them pyramid-style on a sharing plate. For a playful touch, serve the Air Fried Babybel Cheese in mini cupcake liners for easy grab-and-go snacking at parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (good luck!), allow them to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The coating will soften, but they still make for an irresistible snack.
Freezing
To freeze, place the UNCOOKED, breaded cheese rounds in a single layer on a sheet tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a resealable bag or airtight container. Air fry straight from frozen—no need to thaw!—just add an extra 1-2 minutes to the cook time.
Reheating
To revive leftovers, simply pop your Air Fried Babybel Cheese in the air fryer at 360°F for 2-3 minutes, just until warm and crispy again. They’re almost as good as freshly made!
FAQs
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Can I make Air Fried Babybel Cheese ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bread the cheese rounds in advance and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before air frying. They’re perfect for prepping ahead and cooking fresh on demand.
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What kind of breadcrumbs work best?
Italian seasoned breadcrumbs add amazing flavor, but you can use panko for extra crunch, or gluten-free crumbs for special diets. Just make sure they’re dry and not too fine for the crispest result.
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How do I keep the cheese from oozing out?
Be generous with your coating—double dipping in both the egg and breadcrumbs forms a thick layer that keeps the gooey goodness inside. Also, don’t overcook; pull them out once they’re deeply golden.
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Can I use other types of cheese with this recipe?
While Air Fried Babybel Cheese is especially fun thanks to the pre-portioned rounds, you can bread and air fry other bite-sized cheeses like mozzarella or gouda bites—just follow the same breading and cook times.
Final Thoughts
Cheese lovers, this is your invitation: gather your ingredients, grab your air fryer, and treat yourself to Air Fried Babybel Cheese. Whether you’re sharing with friends or indulging solo, I promise these crunchy, melty bites will turn any moment into a tiny celebration.
PrintAir Fried Babybel Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy crispy, air-fried Babybel cheese rounds with this simple and delicious recipe. These make for a perfect snack or appetizer that’s crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
Ingredients
Babybel Cheese:
- 1 package Babybel cheese
Coating:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese: Remove the wrapper and wax packaging from each Babybel cheese piece.
- Set Up Dipping Stations: Create three dipping stations with flour, whisked eggs, and breadcrumbs in separate bowls.
- Coat the Cheese: Dip each cheese round in flour, then eggs, and finally breadcrumbs, ensuring a thorough coating.
- Air Fry: Spray cheese rounds with olive oil and air fry at 380°F for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through for even crisping.
- Serve: Enjoy the crispy Babybel cheese rounds while warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg