Picture tiny red wax wheels turning into golden, melty bites with a crispy crustthat’s the magic of Air Fried Babybel Cheese. You peel off that iconic wrapper, pop them in the air fryer, and five minutes later you’ve got a snack that tastes like a gourmet appetizer.
I tested this about seven times last spring because my first batch exploded everywhereturns out timing and temp really matter with soft cheese. Once I nailed the sweet spot at 375°F, they came out perfect every time: warm centers, crunchy coating, zero mess. After a decade of recipe testing, I can tell you this is one of those surprisingly foolproof wins that feels fancier than the effort you put in.
Joe Rooney
Air Fried Babybel Cheese Recipe Easy Quick and Delicious
This Air Fried Babybel Cheese recipe is a quick and delicious appetizer that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, these cheesy bites are a fun and simple treat made using an air fryer.
Peel off the wax and plastic wrappers from each Babybel cheese and set them aside.
Prepare three bowls for dipping: fill one with flour, whisk eggs in the second, and place breadcrumbs in the third.
Coat each cheese round with flour first, ensuring a light cover, then dip it thoroughly in the beaten eggs to help the coating stick.
Press the egg-coated cheese into the breadcrumbs until fully covered; repeat dipping in breadcrumbs if desired for a thicker crust to contain the cheese during cooking.
Spray both sides of the coated cheese pieces lightly with olive oil spray and arrange them in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping (work in batches if needed).
Cook in the air fryer at 380°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the coating turns golden and crisp.
Carefully remove the hot cheese from the air fryer and enjoy immediately while warm.
Notes
Arrange the coated Babybel cheese so they don’t touch to ensure even crisping. Be gentle when handling the cooked cheese as they may be fragile and hot. Serve these delicious bites with your favorite dipping sauces or enjoy them on their own.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These little golden cheese bites deliver that perfect combination of crispy outside and gooey insidewithout needing a deep fryer or a pile of oil. You’re working with ingredients you probably already have: Babybel cheese, all-purpose flour, eggs, and Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. The whole process takes under twenty minutes from start to finish, and there’s something nostalgic about peeling back that red wax wrapper before transforming it into something totally different.
Quick and satisfying: Ready in about eighteen minutes, including prep time
Kid-approved: Familiar cheese flavor with a fun, crunchy twist
Budget-friendly: Uses simple pantry staples and a single package of cheese
Perfect for sharing: Makes a great appetizer for game day or last-minute guests
Key Ingredients and What They Do
The magic here is in the three-step breading station that locks in all that melty goodness. You’ll start with all-purpose flour to help the eggs stick, then move to whisked eggs as your glue layer, and finish with Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for that golden, crispy coating. The Babybel cheese itself is the starit holds its shape beautifully in the air fryer as long as you coat it well.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the double dip into the breadcrumbs if you want insurance against any cheese explosions. That extra layer makes all the difference between a perfect bite and a melted mess in your basket.
Step-by-Step: How It All Comes Together
Once you’ve peeled the wax off each cheese round, set up your three shallow bowls in a rowflour, whisked eggs, and Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. Dip each piece of cheese through all three stations, pressing gently to make sure the breadcrumbs really stick. A light spritz of olive oil spray on both sides helps them turn golden and crispy without any extra grease.
Arrange your coated cheese in a single layer in the air fryer basketdon’t let them touch or overlap. Air fry at 380 degrees F for eight to ten minutes, flipping them halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when the coating turns that beautiful golden brown and the cheese is warm and melty inside.
Step
What to Do
Time
1. Prep
Unwrap Babybel cheese, set up three bowls (flour, eggs, breadcrumbs)
5 minutes
2. Coat
Dip each cheese round through flour, eggs, breadcrumbs (double dip breadcrumbs)
5 minutes
3. Spray & Arrange
Lightly spray with olive oil, place in single layer in basket
1 minute
4. Air Fry
Cook at 380°F, flip halfway through
8-10 minutes
Tips for Perfect Results Every Time
After testing this about seven times, I learned that temperature and spacing matter more than you’d think. Keep your air fryer at 380 degrees Fany hotter and the cheese can burst before the coating crisps up. If your basket is small, work in batches rather than crowding everything in at once. That airflow is what gives you the crispy, golden finish.
Handle carefully: These bites come out hot and a little delicate right after air frying. Let them cool for just a minute before transferring them to a serving plate. If one does burst open, it’s still deliciousjust eat it first before anyone notices!
How to Serve and Store
Serve these warm, straight from the air fryer, with your favorite dipping saucesmarinara, ranch, or even a spicy aioli all work beautifully. They’re best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for three to four minutes to bring back some of that crispy texture.
Storage Method
How Long
Reheating Tip
Room Temperature
Up to 2 hours
Best eaten fresh
Refrigerator
Up to 2 days
Air fry at 350°F for 3-4 minutes
Freezer
Not recommended
Coating can get soggy
Craving delicious recipes and fresh cooking inspo? Follow me on Pinterest!
FAQs ( Air Fried Babybel Cheese )
How long does it take to cook Babybel in the air fryer?
Cook for 3-4 minutes at 375°F for perfectly melted cheese. The wax coating will start to bubble and the cheese inside becomes deliciously gooey. Keep a close eye after 3 minutes to prevent overcooking.
Do you remove the wax before air frying?
No, leave the wax coating on during cooking. The wax acts as a natural wrapper that helps contain the melted cheese. Simply peel it off after cooking when it’s cool enough to handle safely.
What temperature works best for this recipe?
Set your air fryer to 375°F for optimal results. This temperature melts the cheese perfectly without burning the wax coating. Lower temperatures take too long, while higher temps can cause the wax to burn.
Can you make multiple pieces at once?
Yes, you can cook 4-6 pieces simultaneously in most air fryers. Make sure they don’t touch each other in the basket for even cooking. The cooking time remains the same regardless of quantity.
How do you know when the cheese is ready?
The wax will bubble and slightly darken, while the cheese inside becomes soft and melted. Gently press the top – it should feel squishy rather than firm. Let it cool for 2-3 minutes before removing the wax.
You just made Air Fried Babybel Cheese in under twenty minutescrispy golden coating on the outside, warm melty goodness on the inside. That’s the kind of satisfying snack that disappears fast, and honestly, you’ll want to make a double batch next time. The texture alone is worth it: crunchy breadcrumbs giving way to that familiar, comforting cheese pull we all love.
If you want to mix things up, try swapping Italian breadcrumbs for panko or adding a pinch of garlic powder to the coating for extra flavor. These bites are perfect with marinara for dipping, but I’ve also served them with ranch or even a drizzle of hot honey when I’m feeling adventurous. Store any leftovers in the fridge and reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for three to four minutesthey’ll crisp right back up. A trick I learned from my test kitchen days: always let them cool for just a minute before plating so the coating sets and stays intact.
I’d love to see how yours turn outsnap a photo and share it, or tell me what dipping sauce you paired with them. Did you make these for your kids, or maybe as a last-minute appetizer that saved the day? Either way, I hope this recipe becomes one you save and come back to whenever you need something quick, comforting, and just plain fun to eat. Happy cooking, and enjoy every crispy, melty bite!
