Elevate your snacking game with these irresistible Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks! Whether you’re craving a cozy bite or looking to impress party guests, these crispy, gooey mozzarella sticks are sure to hit the spot. The outside is perfectly crispy and golden brown thanks to the high heat of the air fryer, while the inside oozes with melty cheese.
Homemade mozzarella sticks make a great snack for kids and adults alike. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce like marinara, ranch dressing, or honey mustard. They also freeze well before they are cooked, so you can make a big batch and pop them in the air fryer whenever you want a tasty treat! If you’re looking for more appetizer recipes, try my air fryer chicken wings, fried pickles, or bruschetta recipe.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Mozzarella Sticks – whole milk sticks are the best choice for a gooey cheese filling. Part-skim milk cheese sticks will also work, but they will be slightly rubbery in texture.
Eggs – use large eggs to create a sufficient binding for the breadcrumbs to stick to the cheese sticks.
Breadcrumbs – I recommend using panko breadcrumbs for the best crunch and texture. You can find them plain or seasoned for extra flavor.
Seasoning – a savory combination of Italian seasoning mix, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt is the perfect balance of savory flavors.
How to Make Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer
1. Cut the mozzarella sticks in half crosswise to make 16 pieces.
2. Place the flour in a shallow dish. Beat the eggs in a second shallow dish, and combine the panko, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a third shallow dish.
3. Dip each cheese stick in the flour mixture.
4. Then dip in the egg mixture, using a fork to coat it completely.
5. Then, move the cheese stick to the third bowl and coat it in the breadcrumb mixture, using a fork to press on the cheese stick to adhere to the coating.
6. Dredge each stick again in the egg mixture.
7. Then coat in the bread crumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
8. Place the double-coated mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer and freeze for at least 30 minutes (or up to 1 month in a freezer-safe container). Once the sticks are frozen, preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket and frozen sticks with cooking spray. Air fry mozzarella sticks in batches until golden, for about 6 to 8 minutes. Serve hot with warm marinara sauce.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Double-dredge the cheese sticks. Make sure to dredge the mozzarella cheese sticks twice by giving them a double layer of coating in the egg and breadcrumb mixture. This will create a proper barrier to keep the breading from cracking or splitting too fast when cooked and letting the cheese ooze out.
- Keep an eye on them in the air fryer! While the double dredge adds some extra protection from oozing cheese, the longer the mozzarella sticks cook, the more likely they are to burst and let the melted cheese flow out. Your air fryer may differ in temperature, so start checking them every minute after 6 minutes.
- Don’t skip the freezing step! This step is worth the extra time and is essential to make air fried mozzarella sticks. If you don’t freeze them before cooking, the cheese will melt too early and spill out before the coating is fully cooked.
- Air fry in batches if needed. To make the crispiest mozzarella sticks in the air fryer, place them in a single layer so they do not touch each other and leave about ½ inch between each one for good airflow. Avoid overcrowding the basket by cooking in two batches!
Frequently Asked Questions
Store leftover cooked air fryer cheese sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer until heated through, for about 3 minutes until they are re-crisped. Or, keep uncooked breaded mozzarella sticks frozen for up to 6 months in a freezer-safe container. Air fry straight from frozen as directed in the recipe – don’t thaw before cooking, or the coating will have a soggy texture, and the cheese will ooze out.
Absolutely! Since this recipe freezes the sticks first before cooking them, the cook time is the same. Air fry at 390°F for 6 to 8 minutes, and up to 10 minutes if they have been in a deep freezer.
You don’t have to make homemade mozzarella sticks in the air fryer – the oven also works! Prepare the recipe as outlined, then bake the frozen sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the oven at 400ºF for about 10 minutes or until the outer coating of the sticks is crispy and golden brown.
There are various ways to switch up the flavors of your mozzarella sticks! Make them spicy by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the breading mixture. Or add dried herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley for more Italian flavor. You can also toss cooked mozzarella sticks in a sauce like BBQ, ranch, or honey mustard before serving for a tasty twist!
These cheese sticks are delicious with a variety of sauces, but my favorite is marinara sauce! You can make it from scratch with my easy recipe, or buy your favorite brand. They are also delicious with ranch dressing, Caesar dressing, or another pasta sauce like vodka sauce or pesto.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Shallow dishes
Ingredients
- 8 whole milk mozzarella sticks
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (60g)
- 1¼ cups panko breadcrumbs (90g)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon. garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Cut the mozzarella sticks in half crosswise to make 16 pieces.
- Place the flour in a shallow dish. Beat the eggs in a second shallow dish, and combine the panko, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a third shallow dish.
- Dip each cheese stick in flour, then the egg, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere. Dredge again in the egg and then the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
- Place on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 month in an airtight container.
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes. Spray the basket and frozen sticks with oil. Air fry in batches, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve hot with marinara.
Notes
- Double-dredge the cheese sticks. Make sure to dredge the mozzarella cheese sticks twice by giving them a double layer of coating in the egg and breadcrumb mixture. This will create a proper barrier to keep the breading from cracking or splitting too fast when cooked and letting the cheese ooze out.
- Keep an eye on them in the air fryer! While the double dredge adds some extra protection from oozing cheese, the longer the mozzarella sticks cook, the more likely they are to burst and let the melted cheese flow out. Your air fryer may differ in temperature, so start checking them every minute after 6 minutes.
- Don’t skip the freezing step! This step is worth the extra time and is essential to make air fried mozzarella sticks. If you don’t freeze them before cooking, the cheese will melt too early and spill out before the coating is fully cooked.
- Air fry in batches if needed. To make the crispiest mozzarella sticks in the air fryer, place them in a single layer so they do not touch each other and leave about ½ inch between each one for good airflow. Avoid overcrowding the basket by cooking in two batches!
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