Why did my cheese leak out during cooking?

The most common reason is insufficient coating or cooking at too high a temperature. Make sure your cheese is thoroughly coated – double coating is recommended – and that your cheese is cold when it goes into the air fryer. Starting with cold cheese gives the coating time to set before the cheese melts too much.

Can I use other types of cheese for this recipe?

Babybel works exceptionally well because of its size and texture, but you can experiment with other semi-firm cheeses cut into 1-inch cubes. Just be aware that higher moisture cheeses may melt more quickly and potentially leak more during cooking.

How do I know when they're done cooking?

The perfect air fried Babybel will have a golden-brown, crispy exterior. If you see any cheese starting to bubble through the coating, that's your sign to remove them immediately. Remember that they'll continue to melt inside the hot coating even after removing from the air fryer.

Can I make these without an air fryer?

Absolutely! You can bake them in a conventional oven at 400°F for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown. You can also deep fry them in oil at 350°F for about 1-2 minutes until golden, though this adds significantly more fat to the recipe.

Air Fried Babybel Cheese Recipe

Name: Air Fried Babybel Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 package Babybel cheese; ½ cup all-purpose flour; 2 large eggs, whisked; 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

This irresistibly gooey Air Fried Babybel Cheese transforms those little red-wrapped cheese rounds into mouthwatering, crispy-coated bites of melty perfection. Ready in under 20 minutes, these bite-sized treats deliver restaurant-quality cheese sticks with minimal effort and maximum flavor – perfect for appetizers, snacks, or whenever a cheese craving strikes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ridiculously Simple: With just 3 coating ingredients and your air fryer doing the heavy lifting, you’ll have Instagram-worthy cheese bites with barely any effort.
Quick Satisfaction: From start to finish in under 20 minutes – the perfect solution when you need something delicious without the wait.
Crowd-Pleaser: I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t light up at the sight of warm, melty cheese in a crispy shell. These disappear within minutes at gatherings!
Healthier Option: Using the air fryer means you get that deep-fried texture and taste with significantly less oil than traditional frying methods.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Babybel Cheese: The star of the show! These little rounds are perfect because their wax coating keeps them fresh until you’re ready to transform them.
All-Purpose Flour: Creates the first layer of your coating, helping everything else stick properly to the cheese.
Eggs: Acts as the glue that binds your breadcrumbs to the flour-coated cheese. Don’t skimp here – good coverage means no cheese leakage!
Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs: Brings flavor and that essential crispy exterior. The Italian seasoning adds wonderful herby notes without extra work.
Olive Oil Spray: Just a light spritz helps achieve that golden-brown perfection in the air fryer.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Different Coatings

Panko Breadcrumbs: For an extra crispy exterior that provides fantastic texture contrast with the melty cheese
Crushed Crackers: Try Ritz crackers or cheese crackers for a unique flavor twist
Seasoning Mix-ins: Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, or ranch seasoning to your breadcrumbs for flavor variations

Cheese Options

Mini Gouda Rounds: If you can find them, they work beautifully with this technique
Cheddar Babybels: For a stronger cheese flavor that pairs wonderfully with the crispy coating

Dipping Sauces

Marinara: The classic pairing that never disappoints
Ranch: Creamy and tangy – perfect for balancing the rich cheese
Sweet Chili Sauce: For a sweet and spicy twist

How to Make Air Fried Babybel Cheese

Step 1: Prep the Cheese

Remove all packaging from each Babybel cheese round, including both the outer red netting and the inner wax coating. Set the naked cheese rounds aside on a plate.

Step 2: Set Up Your Breading Station

Create an assembly line with three shallow bowls: flour in the first, whisked eggs in the second, and Italian breadcrumbs in the third. This organization makes the coating process quick and less messy.

Step 3: Coat the Cheese

Take each cheese round and first roll it in flour, ensuring it’s completely covered but shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the whisked eggs, making sure every part gets coated. Finally, roll thoroughly in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to help them adhere.

Step 4: Double Coat (Optional but Recommended)

For extra insurance against cheese leakage, dip the breaded cheese back into the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumbs again for a second layer. This double-coating technique creates a secure shell to keep all that melty goodness contained.

Step 5: Air Fry to Perfection

Lightly spritz both sides of your coated cheese rounds with olive oil spray. Place them in your air fryer basket with space between each piece – overcrowding leads to uneven cooking. Cook at 380°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re beautifully golden brown on all sides.

Step 6: Serve Immediately

These beauties are at their absolute best when served hot from the air fryer while the cheese is still wonderfully molten inside the crispy shell.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Cold Cheese Works Best: Keep your Babybel in the refrigerator until right before coating. Cold cheese melts more slowly, giving your coating time to crisp up before the cheese escapes.
Double Coating Is Key: That second layer of breadcrumbs makes all the difference in preventing cheese leaks during cooking.
Watch Closely: Every air fryer is different, so keep an eye on your first batch. When they’re golden brown, they’re ready – regardless of what the timer says.
Work in Batches: Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Leaving space around each cheese round ensures even air circulation and proper crisping all around.
Prep Ahead Option: You can bread all your cheese rounds in advance and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before cooking. Just remember to spritz with oil right before air frying.

How to Serve

These crispy cheese bites shine as part of:

Appetizer Boards

Arrange on a platter alongside marinara sauce, ranch dressing, and perhaps some sliced fresh vegetables for a colorful, crowd-pleasing starter.

Game Day Spread

Place a hot batch of these alongside wings, chips and dip, and other finger foods for the ultimate sports-watching feast.

Kid-Friendly Snack

Pair with apple slices or carrot sticks for an after-school treat that combines fun and protein.

Wine Night Companion

These gourmet-tasting bites pair beautifully with a crisp white wine or light red for an elevated cheese experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

While best enjoyed fresh, any leftover cooked cheese bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Freezing

You can freeze the uncooked, breaded cheese rounds for up to 1 month. Place them on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the cooking time.

Reheating

For the best texture when reheating, place refrigerated cheese bites back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until heated through and crispy again. Microwaving is not recommended as it makes the coating soggy.

FAQs

Why did my cheese leak out during cooking?

The most common reason is insufficient coating or cooking at too high a temperature. Make sure your cheese is thoroughly coated – double coating is recommended – and that your cheese is cold when it goes into the air fryer. Starting with cold cheese gives the coating time to set before the cheese melts too much.
Can I use other types of cheese for this recipe?

Babybel works exceptionally well because of its size and texture, but you can experiment with other semi-firm cheeses cut into 1-inch cubes. Just be aware that higher moisture cheeses may melt more quickly and potentially leak more during cooking.
How do I know when they’re done cooking?

The perfect air fried Babybel will have a golden-brown, crispy exterior. If you see any cheese starting to bubble through the coating, that’s your sign to remove them immediately. Remember that they’ll continue to melt inside the hot coating even after removing from the air fryer.
Can I make these without an air fryer?

Absolutely! You can bake them in a conventional oven at 400°F for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown. You can also deep fry them in oil at 350°F for about 1-2 minutes until golden, though this adds significantly more fat to the recipe.

Final Thoughts

These Air Fried Babybel Cheese bites bring restaurant-quality appetizers right to your kitchen with minimal effort. The contrast between the crispy, seasoned exterior and the warm, gooey cheese center creates an irresistible snack that’s sure to become a regular request. Whether you’re entertaining guests or just treating yourself to something special, this simple recipe delivers big on both flavor and fun. Give it a try – your taste buds will thank you!