Craving a crispy, cheesy, and delicious snack? You're in for a treat! This Air-Fryer Cheese Balls Recipe combines the best of potatoes and halloumi cheese into delightful little bites that are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.
Not only are these tots crispy and flavorful, but they're also healthier, thanks to the magic of the air fryer. Let's get cooking!
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Why You Should Make These Cheese Balls
If you're a fan of tater tots or hashbrowns, these Halloumi Cheese Balls will quickly become a favorite. The combination of fluffy potatoes and savory halloumi cheese makes these tots incredibly addictive. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, an easy side dish, or something fun to serve at your next gathering, these air-fried tater tots are perfect. Plus, they're:
- Healthy: Using an air fryer means less oil, making these cheese balls is a guilt-free treat.
- Simple to Make: With just a few ingredients, you can whip up these easy-to-make potato bites in no time.
- Versatile: Pair them with a variety of dips, serve them as breakfast hashbrowns, or enjoy them on their own—these tots do it all!
Ingredients for Your Tater Tots
Here’s what you’ll need to create these tasty Cheese Potato Bites:
- Potatoes: Boiled and coarsely grated.
- Halloumi cheese: Grated. Halloumi adds a unique, salty flavor.
- Cornflour: Helps bind the tots together and adds crispiness.
- Olive oil: For brushing over the tots before air frying.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Season according to your preference.
For the quantity of all the ingredients, head to the Recipe Card.
How to Make Cheese Balls in Air Fryer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to make these crispy potato cheese balls? Follow these simple steps:
- Boil and Prep the Potatoes: Start by boiling the whole potatoes for about 10 minutes until they’re soft. Once boiled, drain and let them cool. Once cool, coarsely grate the potatoes.
- Grate the Halloumi: While the potatoes are cooling, coarsely grate the halloumi cheese.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes, grated halloumi, cornflour, salt, and pepper. Feel free to add any other spices you like! Use your hands to mix everything together until well combined.
- Shape the Tots: Using your hands, shape the mixture into small balls. These will become your delicious cheesy potato bites.
- Preheat and Prepare the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (about 390°F). Lightly brush each tot with olive oil to help them crisp up.
- Air Fry the Tots: Place the tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry them for 12-15 minutes, or until they’re golden and crispy. Make sure to shake the basket halfway through for even cooking.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once your Crispy Potato Bites are done, serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauces like hot honey, chili sauce, or classic tomato ketchup.
Hint: Keep an eye on your tots in the last few minutes of air frying to get the perfect level of crispiness!
Variations to Try
Feeling adventurous? Try these variations on your Cheese Ball Recipe:
- Cheddar Cheese Tots: Swap out halloumi for cheddar for a melty, cheesy center.
- Spicy Tater Tots: Add chopped jalapeños or a sprinkle of chili flakes to the mix for a spicy kick.
- Herbed Tater Tots: Mix in fresh or dried herbs like rosemary or thyme for a fragrant twist.
Storing and Reheating Your Air-Fried Cheese Balls
Got leftovers? These Crispy Cheese Balls are just as delicious the next day! Here's how to store and reheat them to keep that crispy texture:
Storing:
- Refrigeration: Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, consider freezing them.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cheese balls to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
- Airtight Container: Place the cooled bites in an airtight container. This will keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out.
Reheating:
- Air Fryer Method: For the best results, reheat the cheese balls in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and cook the tots for 3-5 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy again.
- Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Place the cheesy potato bites on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are crispy and heated through.
- Avoid Microwaving: While you can microwave them, this method can make the cheese balls less crispy. If using a microwave, reheat them in short intervals to avoid overcooking.
Top Tip
Take note that you have to boil the potatoes just until they are soft. It helps them maintain their texture when grated. And finely grated halloumi will mix better with the potatoes, ensuring a uniform flavor in every bite.
FAQs about the Air-Fried Potato and Halloumi Tots
Yes! After shaping the cheese bites, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen in the air fryer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Absolutely! While halloumi adds a unique flavor, you can substitute it with cheddar, mozzarella, or feta for a different taste.
No worries! You can bake these cheese balls in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Make sure to brush the cheese balls with a little olive oil and don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. This allows them to crisp up nicely.
Yes! Feel free to experiment with spices, herbs, or even finely chopped vegetables like onions or bell peppers.
Serve them hot, fresh out of the air fryer, with your favorite dips. They’re also great as a side dish or breakfast hashbrowns.
Pairing
These Air-Fried Cheese Balls go best with-
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📖 Recipe
Air-Fried Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 3 medium potatoes: Boiled and coarsely grated.
- 3 tablespoons halloumi cheese: Grated. Halloumi adds a unique salty flavor.
- 1 tablespoon cornflour: Helps bind the tots together and adds crispiness.
- Olive oil: For brushing over the tots before air frying.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Season according to your preference.
Instructions
- Make a slight cut around each potato before boiling to make peeling easier.
- Soft boil the potatoes until fork-tender, then drain and let them cool completely before peeling.
- Once cooled, grate the potatoes using the coarser side of a grater.
- Grate halloumi cheese the same way; if unavailable, substitute with mozzarella.
- In a bowl, mix the grated potatoes, cheese, and cornflour. Add salt and pepper to taste, plus chili powder if desired.
- Use your hands to mix everything until the ingredients form a soft, dough-like consistency.
- Lightly oil your hands, then roll small portions of the mixture into balls or other shapes like cylinders or rounds.
- Set the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and place the shaped cheese balls in the basket.
- Brush the bites with olive oil and air-fry for 12-14 minutes until they’re golden and crispy.
- Let the cheese balls cool slightly before serving with your favorite dip or ketchup. Enjoy!
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