Name: Air-fried mac and cheese balls
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 1 oz macaroni noodles; 2/3 cup nonfat cottage cheese, blended until smooth; 2 tbsp whey protein powder; 3 tbsp shredded part-skim mozzarella; 1 1/2 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp garlic powder; 1 large egg whites, lightly beaten; 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs; 4 olive oil cooking sprays; 2 cups water

Instructions

Prep 25 min · Cook 40 min

Boil the water in a small pot with a pinch of the salt. Add the macaroni and cook for 7 minutes until just tender. Drain well and set aside.
Place the blended cottage cheese in a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl and let drain for 10 minutes to remove excess moisture.
In a mixing bowl, combine the drained cottage cheese, protein powder, mozzarella, cheddar, garlic powder, and the remaining salt. Stir in the cooked macaroni. Place the mixture in the freezer for 30 minutes until it is firm enough to hold a scoop.
Using a 1/4-cup scoop, form the mixture into 4 equal balls. Place the egg whites in one small bowl and panko in another. Roll each ball in the egg white, then press the panko on firmly with your hands to cover completely.
Place the breaded balls on a plate and freeze for 10 minutes to set. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the balls with cooking spray and place in the basket. Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping once halfway, until deep golden and crispy. Done when hot in the center, 160°F.

Nutrition

Ingredients

Instructions

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