Our better-for-you take uses the air fryer instead of a deep fat fryer for crunchy and ooey-gooey cheese curds.

Air-Fried Hatch Pepper Cheese Curds

Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Spray fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Cut or break cheese into large chunks. Place flour, eggs, and panko in separate shallow bowls. Dip cheese, into flour, then eggs, then panko bread crumbs, shaking off excess between each ingredient. Repeat dipping process to create a double coating.

Place cheese curds in air fryer basket; spray with additional nonstick cooking spray. Air fry for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking basket every minute. Remove from air fryer and serve immediately with desired dipping sauce.