Low Fat Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
Indulge your comfort food cravings guilt-free with these Low Fat Fried Mac and Cheese Balls! This lighter twist on a decadent classic combines creamy reduced-fat cheddar and low-fat cream cheese for a rich, velvety center, wrapped in a crispy, golden panko breadcrumb coating. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, paprika, and a touch of black pepper, each bite delivers irresistible flavor without the extra calories. Air-fried to perfection instead of deep-fried, these bite-sized delights are ideal as an appetizer, party snack, or satisfying treat. Quick to prepare and ready in under an hour, they’re a healthier way to enjoy the cheesy goodness you love. Ideal for both health-conscious eaters and those with a soft spot for comfort food, these mac and cheese balls are a must-try for any occasion!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 200 grams Elbow macaroni
- 100 grams Reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
- 50 grams Low fat cream cheese
- 100 milliliters Skim milk
- 50 grams All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 3 units Egg whites
- 150 grams Panko breadcrumbs
- Cooking spray
Instructions
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the cream cheese with the skim milk, stirring until smooth.
Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the saucepan and stir until completely melted and combined.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until well coated. Mix in the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Remove the mac and cheese from heat and allow it to cool completely in the refrigerator, about 1 hour. This helps them firm up so they can be easily formed into balls.
Once cooled, use your hands to shape the macaroni mixture into small balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
Prepare three separate shallow bowls: one with flour, one with egg whites (lightly beaten), and one with panko breadcrumbs.
Roll each mac and cheese ball first in flour, then in egg whites, and finally in panko breadcrumbs, ensuring they are fully coated.
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F). Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Place the mac and cheese balls in the basket in a single layer, ensuring they're not touching each other. Lightly spray the tops of the balls with more cooking spray.
Cook in the air fryer for about 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, turning halfway through cooking time.
Serve immediately while hot and crispy, optionally with a low-fat dipping sauce of your choice.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2101 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 40.4 g | 52% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.9 g | 94% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 94 mg | 31% | |
| Sodium | 3266 mg | 142% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 328.7 g | 120% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.2 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.3 g | ||
| Protein | 103.3 g | 207% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.7 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 1022 mg | 79% | |
| Iron | 16.9 mg | 94% | |
| Potassium | 630 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
