Chorizo & Mozzarella Cheese Balls Recipe
Deliciously crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, these Chorizo & Mozzarella Cheese Balls combine the smoky flavors of chorizo with melty mozzarella and parmesan, coated in a crunchy paprika-seasoned breadcrumb crust, air-fried to golden perfection for a quick and satisfying appetizer or snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 cheese balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese & Chorizo Mixture
- 250g grated mozzarella
- 50g grated parmesan
- 50g grated or finely sliced chorizo
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 2 tbsp water
Coating
- 100g plain flour
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 200g breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp paprika
Instructions
- Mix the cheese and chorizo: In a large bowl, combine the grated mozzarella, grated parmesan, and finely sliced or grated chorizo along with the cornflour and water. Mix thoroughly using a spoon, then knead the mixture with your hands until it forms a dough-like, moldable consistency.
- Form the balls: Tear pieces from the mixture and roll them into small balls approximately the size of a golf ball. You should make about 8 balls. Place them aside on a plate.
- Prepare the coating stations: Set up three shallow plates: one with plain flour, one with the whisked eggs, and one with the breadcrumbs mixed with paprika. This will be used for coating the balls.
- Coat the balls: Roll each cheese and chorizo ball first in the flour, then dip into the whisked eggs, and finally roll thoroughly in the paprika-seasoned breadcrumbs. Repeat this flour-egg-breadcrumb coating step two or three times for each ball to create a thick protective crust that prevents cheese from oozing out during cooking.
- Air fry the balls: Preheat your air fryer to 205°C (400°F) for about 5 minutes. Carefully place the coated cheese balls in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for approximately 5 minutes or until the coating is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside is melted.
- Serve: Remove the cheese balls from the air fryer carefully and serve immediately while hot and gooey. Enjoy as a flavorful appetizer or party snack.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the chorizo is finely grated or minced so it integrates well with the cheese mixture.
- Multiple coatings help maintain structure during air frying and provide crunch.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- You can substitute paprika with smoked paprika for a deeper smoky flavor.
- Serve with a dipping sauce such as spicy tomato salsa or garlic aioli for extra flavor.
Keywords: Chorizo cheese balls, mozzarella appetizers, air fryer snacks, crispy cheese balls, Spanish appetizer
