Air Fryer Mac and Cheese (No-Boil, One Pan)

This air fryer baked mac and cheese cooks the pasta right in the sauce.  It’s an easy weeknight win with just one dish to wash.   It makes 6 servings, enough for a family side dish or a few lunches.

This one has no heavy cream either. Evaporated milk, half and half, and sour cream do the creamy work.

It's also a smart holiday side. When the oven is packed with turkey and pies, the air fryer handles the mac and cheese. Want a bigger batch for a crowd? Try my Creamy Baked Veggie Mac and Cheese.

Shopping Notes

• Pasta: I recommend using elbow macaroni for making mac and cheese in the air fryer, but you could use another short pasta like penne if you like.
• Evaporated Milk: You will find evaporated milk in the baking aisle near the sweetened condensed milk.  It is not the same as condensed milk, so don't confuse the two!
• Half and Half: This is just a combination of equal parts whole milk and cream. You could also use all whole milk or heavy cream.
• Sour Cream: I recommend using full-fat sour cream for the best texture in your air fryer mac n cheese.
• Shredded Cheese: I use sharp cheddar cheese for this recipe, but you could use any kind of shredded cheese that you like. A combination of cheeses would also be delicious - I sometimes use a blend of cheddar and parmesan cheese.

Why This Air Fryer Baked Mac and Cheese Works

• The egg makes it baked mac and cheese. One beaten egg sets the evaporated milk and sour cream as it cooks, like an old-fashioned baked mac. That's why it holds together on a spoon instead of running like a stovetop mac.
• The cheese goes in three times. The first ½ cup melts into the liquid while the raw pasta cooks. Add the next cup after the first stir, once the noodles have softened and the sauce has started to thicken. The last cup sits on top and browns.
• Foil on tight. The foil traps steam so the uncooked macaroni cooks through. It also keeps liquid from splashing up into the fan.
• Stir and scrape. The edges of the dish cook fastest. Scrape the sides and bottom every time you stir to keep them from burning.

Tips & Tricks

• Make sure you stir the macaroni well each time the recipe calls for it and scrape any macaroni from the bottoms and the side. This will prevent burnt edges.
• The foil should be on tightly to allow the liquid mixture to cook the pasta without it getting on the fan of your air fryer.
• To prevent the cheese from sticking, you can spray the foil with cooking spray before adding the last of the shredded cheese.
• Keep in mind that every air fryer is a little different and cook times will vary accordingly.
• To make this easy mac and cheese more hearty, stir in bacon or ham.

Serving Suggestions

For a holiday table, serve it with Air Fryer Turkey Breast. On a weeknight, it's great next to Blackstone Chicken, Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets or Air Fryer Steak Bites.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do you rinse macaroni for macaroni and cheese?

I do not recommend rinsing the macaroni for this recipe. Rinsing will remove some of the starch from the pasta which is what helps the sauce thicken.

Can you make mac and cheese without evaporated milk?

You could try using all half and half or all whole milk, but I have not tested this so I can't say for sure how it will turn out. 

The evaporated milk really helps to thicken the sauce and give it a nice rich flavor.

Storage

Leftover mac and cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in your air fryer until hot and bubbly.

You can freeze this recipe for up to three months.  

Reviving Leftovers

If leftovers have gotten dry, you can try adding a little bit of milk to it and reheating it in the microwave or air fry it. You could also add some more shredded cheese on top before reheating.