4.96 from 22 votes

Air Fryer Babybel Cheese

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There is no doubt that you have tried mozzarella sticks. They are one of the world’s most decadent and fun-to-eat appetizers ever. I mean….fried cheese? Who turns THAT down?

But have you ever tried mini babybel cheese air fried?

The thick round Babybel cheeses (also in 6 varieties of flavors, including Babybel light cheese) are a fantastic way to enjoy a major bite of ooey, gooey white cheese with the perfect outside crunch, and all from the ease of an Air Fryer!

plate of air fried babybel cheese rounds

Air Fried Babybel: The Ultimate Round Mini Cheese Snack!

This air fryer cheese recipe has taken the internet by storm, initially popularized as a TikTok viral sensation in 2021. It’s quickly climbed the ranks to become a staple in Babybel cheese recipes.

While the easy appetizer recipe primarily focuses on the standard 10-piece bags of Babybel, you can easily stock up on the Costco 36-pack if you plan for a larger gathering.

Ready in just 10–15 minutes, these fried Babybel treats serve as the ultimate round cheese snacks—ideal for football games, parties, or as a quick and delicious homemade snack.

TikTok Fried Babybel Ingredients

Can you fry the cheese in an Air Fryer? YES, YES, YES!

This Air Fryer version is the widely used TikTok version, which is the same way we do a lot of fried chicken around here. It has a double layer of egg and bread crumbs, ensuring thick, covered, crunchy round cheese snacks.

  • Babybel round cheeses, unwrapped and babybel cheese wax removed
  • all-purpose flour
  • eggs
  • Italian bread crumbs
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • oregano
  • salt
  • ground pepper

How to Bread Babybel Cheese Rounds.

Add flour to a shallow bowl.

Add the eggs to a separate shallow bowl and beat well.

In the third bowl, combine the bread crumbs and seasonings and mix well.

how to air fry cheese

Remove the plastic and colored wax from the cheese rounds. Dredge mozzarella cheese into flour first and gently tap off excess.

Dredge the cheese into the egg, making sure to coat both sides of the round, and then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture.

Repeat another dip into the egg and bread crumbs, so you have 2 coats of egg and bread crumbs on the cheese. 

adding eggs and bread crumbs to dishes for fried cheese
Make sure that this process is done TWICE with eggs and bread crumbs (not flour)

How to make Babybel Air Fryer Cheese.

Once the cheese is ready with double coats of egg and breadcrumb mixture, it’s time to fry. I use a Ninja Foodi Air Fryer, but this technique should work with any brand you own.

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes to warm the basket.

Place cheese into the basket, making sure none of them touches.

placing cheese into air fryer basket

Heat cheese rounds for 5 minutes at 400 degrees.

Remove carefully (tongs are great) and serve while still hot.

Please note, as with all fried cheese or fried mozzarella sticks, that once this appetizer cools, the cheese will start to harden back up to its original state.

Fried Babybel Mini Cheese is best served while still hot with various dips like marinara or a ranch dip recipe.

cheese inside babybel cheese round

What Type of Cheese is Babybel?

Babybel cheese is a processed cheese known for its distinctive small, round shape and red wax covering. It is modeled after a French cheese called “Edam.” Its smooth, mild flavor makes it a popular snack for kids and adults.

Mini Babybel cheese is the same as the original Babybel cheese but smaller in size. Regardless of size, the Babybel cheese type remains a convenient, portable option for cheese lovers, offering a balance of creaminess and tang perfect for fried cheese recipes.

Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners!

If you are a fan of the air fryer, I totally get it!

An Air fryer is one of the best investments in a modern kitchen because many varieties of foods and recipes can be made quickly. And if you have a Ninja Foodi all-in-one that does pressure cooking, air frying, baking, and more, even better!

PROTEIN: Did you know that you can make air fryer chicken tenders?

It’s so simple to do—chicken is soft and tender right in an air fryer basket! This base recipe can be used to make quick school night dinners and, once you know how, can be altered for different spices and herbs.

SEAFOOD: Salmon is so easy to bake, of course, but in minutes you can also make up an air fryer salmon recipe (one of the most popular seafood recipes on this site).

WHOLE VEGETABLES: Vegetables are my entire world here on salty side dish! Ninja Air Fryer Cauliflower and learning how to pressure cook artichokes is a snap!

APPETIZERS: A Babybel air fryer recipe is just one of the appetizers the Ninja Foodi makes easy! Also, try air fryer jalapeno poppers and even air fryer verde (yes, salsa!).

4.96 from 22 votes

Air Fried Babybel Cheese {TikTok}


Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Preheat Air Fryer 5 minutes
Air Fried Babybel Cheese rounds create a thick and ooey gooey mozzarella-like center surrounded by a delicious bread crumb crunch. Only 5 minutes in the air fryer to the perfect homemade mfried cheese without the deep frying of oil. Great snack, appetizer, or party food.

Equipment

  • air fryer

Ingredients
 

  • 10 Babybel round cheeses unwrapped and wax removed
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

  • Add all purpose flour into a shallow bowl or plate.
  • Whisk eggs together and into a separate shallow bowl.
  • In the third bowl, combine bread crumbs and seasonings and mix well.
  • Remove any paper or wax from Babybel Cheese Rounds.
  • Dredge Mozzarella cheese into flour first and gently tap off excess.
  • Add floured Babybel Cheese into egg, making sure to coat both sides of cheese.
  • Put egg dredged cheese into breadcrumb mixture and coat both sides.
  • Repeat another dip into the egg and bread crumbs, so you have 2 coats of egg and bread crumbs onto one piece of cheese.
  • Complete all cheese rounds.
  • Preheat air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
  • Place breaded cheese into Air Fryer basket, making sure the cheese rounds do not touch.
  • Air Fry for 5 minutes at 400 degrees.
  • Remove carefully (tongs typically work) and serve while hot and melty.
    [mv_img id="18851"]
    cheese inside babybel cheese round

Notes

Is babybel mozzarella?
Babybel cheese is not mozzarella. As the article mentions, Babybel is modeled after Edam cheese, a Dutch cheese variety. Babybel has a smooth, mild, and somewhat nutty flavor, whereas mozzarella is a soft Italian cheese that is best known for its high moisture content and its role in dishes like pizza and Caprese salad.
Serve deep-fried cheese rounds with typical red sauces like marinara or a delicious but simple homemade ranch.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cheeses | Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 1132mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g

Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.

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4.96 from 22 votes
4.96 from 22 votes (20 ratings without comment)

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4 Comments

  1. J.Bernard Bobbitt says:

    Looking forward to your new recipes.

  2. Pro tip: freeze them for 10 mins first so they don’t explode, use kettle chips instead of breadcrumbs. You’re welcome 😊

  3. Curious where the flour comes in or if I just misunderstood the recipe

    1. Trisha Haas says:

      Its in step 5 – you dredge the babybel into the flour first before the egg.
      Let me know if you have any additional questions.