Whipped egg whites create steam pockets that puff cheese into bread-like texture without any actual flour or carbs.
Air Fryer Cheese Buns
Light and fluffy cheese buns made in the air fryer, perfect for a quick snack.
Prep
0
min
Cook
14
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
The Story
This protein-packed creation emerged from Brazil's 1980s fitness craze when bodybuilders in São Paulo started bastardizing traditional pão de açúcar recipes, ditching flour entirely and relying purely on egg whites and cheese—essentially turning French soufflé technique into a carb-dodging Brazilian gym rat's dream that somehow tastes better than it has any right to.
Regional Twist
In Argentina's Mendoza province, they swap the shredded cheese for crumbled queso fresco and add smoked paprika instead of garlic powder, creating these smoky little clouds.
📝 Ingredients
🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- 4 whites
- 1 cup of shredded cheese
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- 1 tbsp Garlic powder
📦Other(1)
- Your favorite spices (oregano, chili flakes, pepper...)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Separate egg whites from yolks and beat whites into stiff peaks.
- 2
Gently fold in cheese, garlic powder, and spices.
- 3
Create small buns on parchment paper and place into the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 12-14 minutes.
- 4
No need to flip. It should be golden brown and set.
- 5
If using oven, bake at 400F for 12 minutes.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Beat egg whites to soft peaks first, then gradually increase speed to achieve stiff peaks - overbeaten whites become grainy and won't fold properly, reducing bun volume by 30-40%.technique30-40% volume reduction
- ✓Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded because pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents (cellulose) that prevent proper binding and create a grittier texture.ingredient
- ✓Fold cheese into whites using a cutting motion in thirds - add 1/3 of cheese, fold 8-10 strokes, repeat to maintain maximum air incorporation and prevent deflation.technique8-10 strokes per addition
- ✓Preheat air fryer for 3 minutes before adding buns because immediate high heat sets the protein structure quickly, preventing collapse during the first critical minutes of cooking.timing3 minutes preheat
- ✓Keep bun portions to 2-3 tablespoons each - larger portions won't cook through the center before the outside over-browns due to air fryer's intense convection heat.technique2-3 tablespoons
Share this recipe
Prep
0
min
Cook
14
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Whipped egg whites create steam pockets that puff cheese into bread-like texture without any actual flour or carbs.
Air Fryer Cheese Buns
Light and fluffy cheese buns made in the air fryer, perfect for a quick snack.
The Story
This protein-packed creation emerged from Brazil's 1980s fitness craze when bodybuilders in São Paulo started bastardizing traditional pão de açúcar recipes, ditching flour entirely and relying purely on egg whites and cheese—essentially turning French soufflé technique into a carb-dodging Brazilian gym rat's dream that somehow tastes better than it has any right to.
Regional Twist
In Argentina's Mendoza province, they swap the shredded cheese for crumbled queso fresco and add smoked paprika instead of garlic powder, creating these smoky little clouds.
📝 Ingredients
🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- 4 whites
- 1 cup of shredded cheese
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- 1 tbsp Garlic powder
📦Other(1)
- Your favorite spices (oregano, chili flakes, pepper...)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Separate egg whites from yolks and beat whites into stiff peaks.
- 2
Gently fold in cheese, garlic powder, and spices.
- 3
Create small buns on parchment paper and place into the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 12-14 minutes.
- 4
No need to flip. It should be golden brown and set.
- 5
If using oven, bake at 400F for 12 minutes.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Beat egg whites to soft peaks first, then gradually increase speed to achieve stiff peaks - overbeaten whites become grainy and won't fold properly, reducing bun volume by 30-40%.technique30-40% volume reduction
- ✓Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded because pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents (cellulose) that prevent proper binding and create a grittier texture.ingredient
- ✓Fold cheese into whites using a cutting motion in thirds - add 1/3 of cheese, fold 8-10 strokes, repeat to maintain maximum air incorporation and prevent deflation.technique8-10 strokes per addition
- ✓Preheat air fryer for 3 minutes before adding buns because immediate high heat sets the protein structure quickly, preventing collapse during the first critical minutes of cooking.timing3 minutes preheat
- ✓Keep bun portions to 2-3 tablespoons each - larger portions won't cook through the center before the outside over-browns due to air fryer's intense convection heat.technique2-3 tablespoons