These crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are a delicious ready-in-minutes appetizer or snack for any occasion where a crunchy and cheesy dream comes true!
Mozzarella sticks are one of my kid's favorite appetizers to order at the restaurant. We love the gooey and stretchy cheese, with the crunchy exterior. But they aren’t the healthiest option. The deep-fried mozza sticks add a lot of calories and unhealthy fats.
Now imagine being able to have that at home whenever you want, guilt-free. That’s where the air fryer comes in. It delivers the same texture and flavor as baked or deep-fried mozzarella sticks but with a healthier twist. And today, I’m going to share with you a few of my tips on how to make the best air fryer mozzarella sticks at home. My other favorite is Spicy Mozzarella Sticks where the breading is spicy crushed Doritos or Takis, instead of regular breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
Cheese - One of the important things while making mozzarella sticks is choosing the right cheese. Low-moisture mozzarella cheese is your best bet as it’s not as soft and can withstand the heat of the air fryer. I love using the string cheese because once it gets out of the package, it is ready to be rolled in Panko.
The breading - My other secret is I use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs. They will give you the perfect crunch. Mixing spices like garlic powder, paprika, and oregano are optional, but they do add a kick of flavor. To make sure the breading sticks to the cheese, you can try using a mix of flour and water as a binding agent.
How to Cook Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Assemble - You'll need six pieces of string cheese, panko breadcrumbs, flour, eggs, salt and pepper to taste, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F while you prepare the ingredients.
Next, cut each string cheese into two equal pieces and set them aside. In a small bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the black pepper. Finally, put the panko with Italian seasoning in a third bowl.
With the help of a fork and spoon, dip each stick in the egg mixture until fully coated (picture 1), then using a fresh set of two forks, roll the cheese sticks in the flour mixture (Picture 2), then dip each floured stick back in the egg mixture, and finally roll them in panko until fully coated on all sides (Picture 4).
Place them in the pre-heated and sprayed air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching each other.
Spray each stick lightly with cooking oil. Cook them on air fry mode for 6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Be sure to turn them on the other side halfway (after 3 minutes) during cooking to make sure the sticks cook evenly.
Dip time! Warm Marinara sauce is the most popular option, but you can also try pesto sauce, ranch dressing, or Homemade Copycat Chick-Fil-A dipping sauce.
Make Ahead of Time and Freeze Them for Later
Did you know that you can make the Mozzarella sticks ahead of time and freeze them for later? First, prepare the mozzarella sticks as per the recipe card below. Once they're ready, lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop them in the freezer. After they've frozen (about 3 hours), gently transfer them to a freezer-safe container, label with the date, and store them for up to 4 months.
When you're ready to eat them, simply preheat your air fryer to 400°F, place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the greased air fryer basket or tray, spray them with cooking spray, and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes until they're crispy and golden brown. Don’t forget to flip them over halfway.
Enjoy air fryer mozzarella sticks anytime. By using the air fryer, you not only get the crunch and flavor that you love but also eliminate the greasiness and calories associated with deep-fried mozzarella sticks.
Leftovers
Store your air-fried leftover mozzarella sticks in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Reheat them in the air fryer for about 3 minutes to bring back the crisp and warm up the cheese inside.
More Air Fryer Appetizers You'll Love
- Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Bites
- Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Bites
- 3-Ingredient Coconut Macaroons
- Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Fries
Homemaker Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 4 pieces String Cheese Each cut in half
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs gluten free or regular breadcrumbs
- ½ cup All-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs whisked
- ½ teaspoon salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning divided
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the dip:
- ½ cup Favorite Marinara sauce or Homemade Chipotle dipping sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F while you prepare the ingredients.Cut each string cheese into two equal pieces and set them aside. In a small bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the black pepper. Finally, put the panko with Italian seasoning in a third bowl.
- With the help of a fork and spoon, dip each stick in the egg mixture until fully coated (picture 1), then using a fresh set of two forks, roll the cheese sticks in the flour mixture (Picture 2), then dip each floured stick back in the egg mixture, and finally roll them in panko until fully coated on all sides (Picture 4).
- Place the sticks in the pre-heated and sprayed air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching each other.Spray each stick lightly with cooking oil. Cook them on air fry mode at 400F (200C) for 6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Be sure to turn them on the other side halfway (after 3 minutes) during cooking to make sure the sticks cook evenly.
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