Recipe by Wisconsin Cheese. Photo provided by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
If we were to ask you about the quintessential Wisconsin treat, cheese curds reign king. These little nuggets of cheesy goodness are a staple in every cheese lover’s diet and we’re here to celebrate them in their squeaky, savory glory. And what better way to enjoy them than by giving them a modern twist with an air fryer?
In Wisconsin, curds are practically a currency—seriously, it is not uncommon to deliver cheese curds from a favorite creamery to another part of the state! Over 600 million pounds of cheese curds are produced here annually, making up about 10% of our state’s total cheese production. Typically, these golden morsels are fresh, young cheddar cheese—though other curd varieties do exist—in their natural, random shape before being pressed into blocks. The freshness is key to their characteristic squeak—a sign of a true curd connoisseur.
The true test of any cheese curd, though, comes at the state fair. The Wisconsin State Fair is legendary for its deep-fried cheese curds for good reason. Fairgoers consume thousands of pounds of these deep-fried treats on an annual basis. If you haven’t tried deep-fried cheese curds, picture this: a gooey, melty center encased in a crispy, golden-brown shell. It’s a culinary masterpiece that could only come from the Dairy State.
The origin of deep-fried cheese curds is as rich as their taste. It’s said that this delightful dish was born in the heart of Wisconsin, combining the state’s love for cheese with the indulgence of fried fair food. The exact origins are murky, but generally trace back to the 1950s when innovative food vendors first dipped cheese curds in batter and tossed them into hot oil. The rest, as they say, is history.
Now, thanks to our friends at Wisconsin Cheese and the rise of the air fryer, we have a way to enjoy this treat with a bit less guilt. The air fryer replicates that crispy exterior without the need for excessive oil, making it a healthier alternative while still staying exceptionally delicious. It’s a win-win for cheese curd enthusiasts who are looking to indulge a bit smarter.
Next time you’re craving a taste of Wisconsin, skip the deep fryer and try out these air fryer cheese curds. They’re easy, cheesy and bring a bit of fairtime magic to your home. Enjoy the squeak!
Air-Fryer Cheese Curds
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 8 ounces Renard’s Famous Cheese Curds – Original
- Cooking spray
- Dipping Sauces: marinara sauce and ranch salad dressing
Instructions
- Heat air fryer to 350˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with waxed paper.
- Place flour into a shallow bowl. Lightly beat eggs in a separate shallow bowl. Combine the bread crumbs, garlic powder and cayenne pepper in another shallow bowl.
- Coat cheese curds, a few at a time, in flour. Dip cheese curds into eggs; then coat with crumb mixture, shaking off any extra coating between steps. Place cheese curds on prepared pan.
- Lightly spritz curds with cooking spray just before placing into air fryer basket. Arrange curds in a single layer in the basket. Refrigerate remaining curds until frying.
- Set timer for 5-7 minutes. Fry curds, removing basket at 3 minutes; flip curds. Cook for 2-4 minutes longer or until light brown, crispy and the curds begin to melt. Repeat step with remaining curds, starting with a light spritz of cooking spray.
- Serve in a bowl or parchment-lined basket with dipping sauces.
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Season the bread crumbs. Customize flavor of the curds with your favorite seasonings.
- Select similar sized curds. Frying similar sized curds at the same time ensures that they melt and brown evenly.
- Fry curds in a single layer. Limiting the number of curds in the fryer at a time to a single layer yields a crispier coating.
- Monitor the cooking temperature and timing. Since air fryers vary by manufacturer, it’s best to take care while cooking curds, adjust temperature and cook time as needed based on how the curds are browning and melting.
Look for the Proudly Wisconsin Badge when shopping for cheese. Any brand of Wisconsin Cheese Curds can be used in this recipe.