Air-Frying Farm Rich Cheese Curds: How Long Does It Take?

If you're looking for a quick and easy snack, air fryer cheese curds are a great option. They're crispy, crunchy, melty, and loaded with cheese. But how long do they take to cook? The answer depends on the temperature you set your air fryer to. At 400°F, cook the curds for about 6 minutes. If you're cooking at 350°F, increase the cooking time to 7 or 8 minutes. And if you're using an oven, preheat to 450°F and bake for 8-10 minutes. So, if you're craving some cheesy, crispy goodness, set your timer and get snacking!

Air fryer temperature and time

The temperature and time you should set your air fryer to cook cheese curds depends on the type of cheese curds you are cooking and the quantity.

Air fryer temperature

The best temperature to cook frozen cheese curds is 400°F. If you are cooking a full box of Farm Rich Cheddar Cheese Curds, you should preheat your air fryer to 360°F.

Air fryer time

The cooking time depends on the temperature you are cooking at and the quantity of cheese curds. For a full box of Farm Rich Cheddar Cheese Curds, cook for 6 minutes at 360°F. For frozen cheese curds, cook for 6 minutes at 400°F. If you are cooking at 350°F, cook for 7-8 minutes.

If you are cooking coated cheese curds, you should preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 6-8 minutes.

Preheat the fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process. It ensures that your Farm Rich cheese curds will cook evenly, achieving that sought-after crispness and consistency in texture. The preheating process also guarantees that the cheese curds will be cooked efficiently, reducing the chances of overcooking and melting.

To preheat your air fryer effectively, start by setting the temperature to 400°F. This temperature setting is optimal for cooking cheese curds, as it provides the necessary heat for that desired crispy exterior and melted interior. Allow the air fryer to preheat for a maximum of five minutes. This duration ensures that the appliance is ready for the cooking task ahead without wasting energy.

While preheating, you can prepare the cheese curds for frying. Cut or break the cheese curds into large chunks. This step ensures that the curds will fit comfortably in the air fryer basket and promotes even cooking. You can also prepare your flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs during this time, setting them up in separate shallow bowls for the upcoming coating process.

Once the preheating is complete, it's time to place the cheese curds in the air fryer basket. Ensure that the basket is properly lined or sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the cheese curds in a single layer, leaving some space between them to allow for even air circulation. If you're cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the cheese curds in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.

After placing the cheese curds in the basket, you can give them a light spray with cooking spray. This step is optional but can help the cheese curds achieve an even golden colour during cooking. Now, you're all set to start cooking your delicious Farm Rich cheese curds!

How to coat the curds

To coat the curds, you'll need to prepare three mixtures. Start by mixing flour with water in a clean bowl—the consistency should be a balance between watery and thick. This is your first coating.

For the second coating, beat two large eggs in a medium bowl and add some milk. You can also add ginger or garlic powder to taste.

The third mixture is made of breadcrumbs or crushed crackers (or a mix of both). You can also add herbs or pepper to this mixture for extra flavour.

Now, you're ready to coat the curds. Pick up each curd and dip it into the mixtures in the following order: flour, egg and milk, and then breadcrumbs. Place the coated curds in the air fryer basket, shaking off any excess breadcrumbs.

If you're cooking in batches, keep the uncooked curds in the refrigerator until you're ready to coat and cook them. Lightly spray the coated curds with cooking oil, such as canola oil, before placing them in the air fryer.

Arrange the curds in the fryer

When arranging the curds in the fryer, it's important to ensure they are in a single layer with space between them. This is to allow for even air circulation. If your fryer basket is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the curds in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Before placing the curds in the fryer, it's a good idea to lightly spray them with cooking spray or oil. This will help them to brown nicely and achieve a crispy, golden finish.

If you are cooking a large batch, it's best to keep the curds that are not yet in the fryer in the refrigerator until you are ready to coat and cook them. This will prevent them from melting at room temperature, which can affect their taste and texture.

Now you are ready to arrange the curds in the fryer basket. Place them in a single layer, leaving some space around each curd. If you are cooking a full box of Farm Rich Cheddar Cheese Curds, for example, you will need to arrange them so that they are not touching. Once the curds are in the fryer, give them a final light spray with cooking spray or oil, and you are ready to start frying!

Dipping sauces

Air-fried cheese curds are a delicious snack, but the right dipping sauce can take them to the next level. Here are some ideas for dipping sauces to accompany your air-fried farm-rich cheese curds:

Marinara Sauce

A popular choice for fries, this sauce is made with tomato, garlic, onions, and herbs. It's a favourite of many and pairs well with the crispy, salty shells and creamy, tangy centres of fried cheese curds.

Ranch Dressing

A classic dip that is commonly served with fried cheese curds. It is made with a creamy base (often buttermilk), herbaceous spices like thyme, dill, parsley, onion, garlic, and black pepper. The cooling, creamy properties of ranch make it a perfect match for the crispy, salty, and fatty cheese curds.

Hot Pepper Jelly

Sweet jams and jellies are a well-known pairing with certain cheeses. Hot pepper jelly takes this pairing up a notch by adding a burst of spice to the sweetness of the jelly. The result is a beautiful balance of sweet, salty, creamy, spicy, acidic, and fruity flavours.

Honey Mustard

The sweet and tangy honey mustard is a familiar sauce from fast-food chicken nuggets to dinner salads. It adds a sharp, almost horseradish-like spice that is balanced by the sweetness of honey and the tang of vinegar. The combination of sweet honey and sharp mustard creates an unexpected flavour contrast with the fried cheese curds.

Pesto

Pesto is a bright, herbal sauce made with basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. It provides a soothing, cool contrast to the salty, fatty fried cheese curds. The vibrant green colour of pesto also creates a visually appealing contrast with the golden fried curds.

Blue Cheese Dressing

For those who are adventurous with their cheese, blue cheese dressing is a funky, chunky sauce that pairs surprisingly well with fried cheese curds. Blue cheese has bright, earthy, and pungent qualities that differ from the cheddar commonly used in cheese curds. The creamy sauce, often made with mayo or sour cream and lemon juice, adds a briny tang that complements the delicate creaminess of the curds.

Hot Sauce

For those who like it hot, a drizzle of hot sauce or a dip into your favourite hot sauce will add a kick to your fried cheese curds. With thousands of options available, you can find the perfect level of heat to complement the crunchy shell and creamy centre of the curds.

Horseradish Cream

Horseradish is a love-it-or-hate-it ingredient, but for those who love it, horseradish cream is a fantastic pairing with fried cheese curds. The sharp, nippy spice of horseradish is tempered by mixing it with sour cream, yogurt, herbs, and citrus, resulting in a zippy, cooling sensation that contrasts the salt and fat of the curds.

Frequently asked questions