Name: Fried cheese in the air fryer – a crispy "rescue" without a liter of oil
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: Fried cheese; 320 g semi-hard cheese (e.g. eidam 30–45%, in a whole block); 40 g plain flour; 2 pcs eggs; 70 g strouhanky; 3 g sweet paprika powder (optional for the breadcrumbs); 4 g salt (to taste, some cheeses are quite salty); 2 g freshly ground pepper; 10 ml rapeseed or sunflower oil (for light drizzling/spraying); For serving (optional); 300 g cooked or roasted potatoes/fries; 40 g tartar sauce or yogurt dip

Fried cheese in the air fryer – a crispy "rescue" without a liter of oil

Fried cheese rightly belongs among Czech "comfort food" – it’s a plate you can count on. But in the classic version you'll end up with half the kitchen covered in oil and a stomach heavy as an anchor. Here’s the “easy” version: cut the cheese into slices, coat it twice, let it firm up in the fridge for a while, then pop it into the air fryer. Minimal fat, no splattering, no fryer smell – just a crispy crust and a gooey center, just like pub fried cheese. Add some potatoes or air-fried fries and you’ve got a simple, admittedly a bit sinful, but still somewhat lighter meal.

⏱ 25 min● easy♨ 2 servings

Step by step

Instructions

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1Step 1Cut the cheese into 4 thicker slices — about 1.5–2 cm. If they’re too thin, they’re more likely to melt. You can slightly trim the slices into rounds or rectangles, but it’s not necessary; the air fryer handles them fine.
2Step 2Prepare a three-stage coating: put plain flour in the first bowl, crack an egg into the second, add a pinch of salt and pepper and whisk with a fork. Pour breadcrumbs into the third bowl and mix in ground paprika (and a little extra salt if desired). Have everything ready side by side so it’s easy to work.
3Step 3Coat each slice of cheese in flour first – it must be fully coated, including the sides. Then dip it in egg, let it drip off lightly, and coat it in breadcrumbs. Now the trick so the cheese won’t leak in the air fryer: repeat the whole process. So again egg + breadcrumbs. The double coating creates a firm "shell" that holds better even at higher temperatures.
4Step 4Arrange the coated cheese on a plate or board and refrigerate for at least 5–10 minutes. The coating will firm up slightly, the egg in the breadcrumbs will set, and everything will hold together better. If you have more time, you can leave it longer—just cover it with cling film.
5Step 5In the meantime, preheat the air fryer to 190 °C. Lightly spray the basket with oil or wipe it with an oiled paper towel so the cheese doesn’t stick. Smažák isn’t exactly a "fat-free" dish, but compared to a classic pan you’ll use only a fraction of the oil.
6Step 6Place the cheese slices in the basket in a single layer – don’t stack them so the hot air can circulate. Lightly drizzle oil on top or spray with oil. This helps the coating become evenly crispy on both sides.
7Step 7Bake the cheese for 8–10 minutes. At halfway (after about 4 minutes) carefully pull out the basket and flip the slices – this helps even browning. Toward the end, check more often: when the coating has browned and small blisters start to form, the cheese inside will be nicely melted. If you leave it too long, the coating can burn through and the cheese will start to leak.
8Step 8Let the finished fried cheese rest for 1–2 minutes – the coating will firm up a bit and the cheese won’t gush out as much when cut. Meanwhile, prepare a side: you can use boiled potatoes, airfryer fries or just a piece of bread and a simple dip.
9Step 9Serve hot – two slices of cheese per portion, with potatoes or fries and a bit of tartar sauce or yogurt dip. If you feel like it, add something green to the plate (cucumber, tomato, salad) so it’s not just a “plain fried cheese attack.”

Kitchen tip

To really prevent the cheese from leaking, three things help: sufficiently thick slices, a thorough double breading, and a short chill in the fridge before baking. If you feel you’re always fighting “running” cheese, you can mix a tablespoon of fine flour into the breadcrumbs – the coating will form an even firmer crust.

Customize this recipe

Variants and alternatives

Higher-fat cheese: instead of eidam try gouda or another full-fat cheese, just expect it to run more – watch the airfryer time more closely.

Approximate per serving

Nutritional values

Energie520 kcalProteins32 gSacharidy26 gTuky32 g

Fried cheese in the air fryer – a crispy "rescue" without a liter of oil

Instructions

Variants and alternatives

Nutritional values

Save this recipe for next time.

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Instructions

Variants and alternatives

Nutritional values

Save this recipe for next time.

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Homemade muesli bars with apple and raisins for a school snack

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