Babybel's wax coating melts at exactly 140°F—remove it first or your cheese bites become inedible waxy disasters.
Crispy Cheese Bites
Indulge in these delightful Crispy Cheese Bites, a guilt-free snack that's bursting with flavor and packed with protein! By coating your favorite cheese in a crunchy, seasoned breadcrumb mix and giving it a quick spin in the air fryer, you’ll achieve a golden, crispy exterior that’s simply irresistible. Perfect for parties or a quick treat, these bites are sure to satisfy your cravings without the extra calories!
Prep
15
min
Cook
10
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
The Story
These crispy nuggets are basically Dutch bitterballen's cheeky younger brother—when 17th century Amsterdam tavern keepers needed bar snacks that wouldn't spoil, they deep-fried cheese balls in breadcrumbs, creating Holland's national drinking companion that somehow crossed the Atlantic and got the American air fryer treatment, proving that cheese plus hot oil equals international diplomacy.
Regional Twist
In Quebec's Saguenay region, they replace the breadcrumbs with crushed maple cookies and use local squeaky cheese curds instead of babybel wheels.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 8 pieces babybel cheese
- 1 cup (237 ml) breadcrumbs
- 1 piece egg
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- 2
Dip each babybel cheese wheel in the egg wash.
- 3
Bread the cheese wheels with breadcrumbs.
- 4
Place the breaded cheese wheels in the air fryer basket.
- 5
Cook for 8-10 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Freeze the unwrapped Babybel cheese wheels for 30 minutes before breading to prevent melting during the initial coating process and maintain structural integrity.timing30 minutes
- ✓Double-bread your cheese bites (egg wash → breadcrumbs → egg wash → breadcrumbs) to create a thicker barrier that prevents cheese leakage at 375°F.technique
- ✓Mix panko breadcrumbs with 15% regular fine breadcrumbs for optimal texture - panko provides crunch while fine crumbs fill gaps for better seal.ingredient15% fine breadcrumbs
- ✓Cook at exactly 375°F for 6-8 minutes maximum because Babybel's moisture content is 45-50%, causing rapid steam buildup that will burst the coating if overcooked.timing375°F, 6-8 minutes, 45-50% moisture
- ✓Spray the breaded cheese bites with oil mist before air frying to achieve Maillard browning - dry breadcrumbs won't brown properly without surface lipids.technique
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
10
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Babybel's wax coating melts at exactly 140°F—remove it first or your cheese bites become inedible waxy disasters.
Crispy Cheese Bites
Indulge in these delightful Crispy Cheese Bites, a guilt-free snack that's bursting with flavor and packed with protein! By coating your favorite cheese in a crunchy, seasoned breadcrumb mix and giving it a quick spin in the air fryer, you’ll achieve a golden, crispy exterior that’s simply irresistible. Perfect for parties or a quick treat, these bites are sure to satisfy your cravings without the extra calories!
The Story
These crispy nuggets are basically Dutch bitterballen's cheeky younger brother—when 17th century Amsterdam tavern keepers needed bar snacks that wouldn't spoil, they deep-fried cheese balls in breadcrumbs, creating Holland's national drinking companion that somehow crossed the Atlantic and got the American air fryer treatment, proving that cheese plus hot oil equals international diplomacy.
Regional Twist
In Quebec's Saguenay region, they replace the breadcrumbs with crushed maple cookies and use local squeaky cheese curds instead of babybel wheels.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 8 pieces babybel cheese
- 1 cup (237 ml) breadcrumbs
- 1 piece egg
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- 2
Dip each babybel cheese wheel in the egg wash.
- 3
Bread the cheese wheels with breadcrumbs.
- 4
Place the breaded cheese wheels in the air fryer basket.
- 5
Cook for 8-10 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Freeze the unwrapped Babybel cheese wheels for 30 minutes before breading to prevent melting during the initial coating process and maintain structural integrity.timing30 minutes
- ✓Double-bread your cheese bites (egg wash → breadcrumbs → egg wash → breadcrumbs) to create a thicker barrier that prevents cheese leakage at 375°F.technique
- ✓Mix panko breadcrumbs with 15% regular fine breadcrumbs for optimal texture - panko provides crunch while fine crumbs fill gaps for better seal.ingredient15% fine breadcrumbs
- ✓Cook at exactly 375°F for 6-8 minutes maximum because Babybel's moisture content is 45-50%, causing rapid steam buildup that will burst the coating if overcooked.timing375°F, 6-8 minutes, 45-50% moisture
- ✓Spray the breaded cheese bites with oil mist before air frying to achieve Maillard browning - dry breadcrumbs won't brown properly without surface lipids.technique