Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are easy to make and taste amazing! Who knew that mozzarella sticks in the air fryer would taste so delicious! Ditch that deep fry and learn how to make mozzarella sticks without all that oil!
AIR FRYER MOZZARELLA STICKS RECIPE
Homemade mozzarella sticks are a party staple at my house. How your classify a party is up to you! Perhaps, it's a Friday movie night, Superbowl Sunday or game day!? Regardless, these air fryer cheese sticks are going to be a huge hit no matter when you make them!
We love our air fryer when it comes to making snacking recipes! Our Air Fryer Ravioli are a huge hit along with our air fryer chex mix and our air fryer frozen french fries.
You might be going back and forth about an air fryer. Do you really need an air fryer? What is an air fryer? Will I really use an air fryer? I get it, I get you. I understand, but here is the thing. You really need one. Once you figure out how to use it, you are unstoppable! Promise!
Recently, my youngest kiddo and I were on a mission to figure out how to make mozzarella sticks in the air fryer. We had some triumphs and we had some failures. Happy to report that even the failures were delicious.
We learned that you HAVE to freeze the cheese sticks. That is a MUST for making homemade mozzarella sticks! You actually have to freeze the mozzarella sticks TWICE! See, we did have LOTS of learning moments, testing and testing this air fryer cheese stick recipe!
But seriously, once you figure out the secrets, air fryer mozzarella sticks are a breeze to make. You have to invest a little time (during the freezing potions) but other than that, you will be impressed with how your air fryer cheese sticks turn out!
INGREDIENTS IN AIR FRYER MOZZARELLA STICKS
Cheese sticks - Regular string cheese sticks are used here. I like the regular whole milk kind for this recipe.
Flour - AP gluten free flour is what I use.
Egg - Egg helps to create the crunchy breading, and helps everything stick together.
Bread crumbs - Regular style breadcrumbs work best here rather than panko. Choose your favorite gluten free brand.
Spices - I use garlic powder, smoked paprika, and oregano. You can use whatever you like.
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER MOZZARELLA STICKS
- Unwrap your cheese sticks. Half the cheese sticks and place into the freezer. Cheese sticks must stay in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- Dredge the cheese sticks in a plastic baggie full of flour.
- Then dip into beaten Egg
- Finally, Dip the cheese stick into bread crumbs to coat.
- You'll be freezing the coated cheese sticks a second time. Then air frying as directed in the recipe.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.
TIPS FOR MAKING AIR FRYER CHEESE STICKS
- Here is a PRO TIP for your air fryer cheese sticks...keep a pack of cheese sticks in your freezer. That way when you want to make some mozzarella sticks, you are ready! The cheese sticks are already in the freezer and frozen!
- You actually DO NOT have to cut the cheese sticks in half before freezing.
- I feel that the air fryer cheese sticks actually cook better when they are cut in half, but if you want you can keep the sticks full length.
- Air Fryer Oven - I have cooked the mozzarella sticks in my air fryer oven and it seems to take 1-2 LONGER in the AF Oven. Keep that in mind if you are cooking with an air fryer oven.
- Watch the air fryer cheese sticks closely in the last 1-2 minutes. They can quickly explode. While they do not look great when they explode, they still taste good 🙂
- If you want your air fryer mozzarella sticks to be a golden brown color you can spritz with cooking oil. This will help them to brown up.
Air Fryer Mozzarella Stick Questions
CAN YOU FREEZE AIR FRYER CHEESE STICKS?
Yes, you can make the cheese sticks following the directions up until the point you would put them in the air fryer. Just keep them frozen (from the second time freezing). You can stock your freeze with these air fryer mozzarella sticks so you can use them whenever you get that hankering for some air fryer cheese sticks! Sticks should last 2-3 months in a sealed Ziploc bag or airtight container.
CAN I USE OTHER FLOURS FOR MOZZARELLA STICK COATING?
Yes, you can use anything you want to coat the air fryer cheese sticks. If you have a specific type of flour you like, use that. If you want to crush up crackers or cereal to make a coating, have at it. My youngest crushed up some corn nuts to make coating one night.
HOW DO I COOK STORE BOUGHT FROZEN MOZZARELLA STICKS IN THE AIR FRYER?
If you do not want to make your air fryer cheese sticks from scratch simply visit the freezer aisle and pick up a box. Load the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket. Bake at 350 degrees F for 4- 5 minutes. Remove the air fryer basket and shake. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until done.
MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES
Asparagus in the air fryer is my favorite simple vegetable side dish to serve with just about anything. The air fryer cooks asparagus perfectly.
Learn how easy it can be to make Air Fryer Hamburgers. I love making veggie burgers this way.
Air Fryer Pizza is a fast, simple dish to make for dinner or a snack.
For any meat eaters here, Try Air Fryer Catfish or Air Fryer Whole Chicken.
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Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 8 cheese sticks halved
- ½ t garlic powder
- ½ t smoked paprika
- ½ t oregano
- 1 egg
- ¼ c flour (gf or AP)
- ½ c bread crumbs
Instructions
- Place the cheese sticks into the freezer. Cheese sticks must stay in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg until blended and set aside.
- In another bowl mix the spices and bread crumbs and set aside.
- In a gallon sized baggie, pour in the flour and set aside.
- Remove cheese sticks from the freezer. Cut in half. Put halved cheese sticks into the bag with flour. Move the cheese sticks around so the flour thinly coats them.
- Dip each cheese stick in the egg wash.
- Dredge the cheese stick through the panko/bread crumb mixture with spices. Make sure that the cheese stick is covered on each side.
- Place all sticks BACK into the freezer and freeze another 30 minutes. This step is KEY!
- Place the covered cheese sticks in the air fryer. Cook at 370 Degrees F for 4-5 minutes. When the timer goes off, remove the air fryer basket, let the air fryer mozzarella sticks solidify some You can also shape any that might have started to explode.Serve with marinara and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Here is a PRO TIP for your air fryer cheese sticks...keep a pack of cheese sticks in your freezer. That way when you want to make some air fryer mozzarella sticks, you are ready! The cheese sticks are already in the freezer and frozen!
- You actually DO NOT have to cut the cheese sticks in half before freezing.
- I feel that the air fryer cheese sticks actually cook better when they are cut in half, but if you want you can keep the sticks full length.
- Air Fryer Oven - I have cooked their air fryer mozzarella sticks in my air fryer oven and it seems to take 1-2 LONGER in the AF Oven. Keep that in mind if you are cooking with an air fryer oven.
- Watch the air fryer cheese sticks closely in the last 1-2 minutes. They can quickly explode. While they do not look great when they explode, they still taste good 🙂
- If you want your air fryer mozzarella sticks to be a golden brown color you can spritz with cooking oil. This will help them to brown up.
Nutrition
All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.
Air Fryer Resources - if you are looking for air fryer resources, we have got you covered. We have a variety of air fryer posts that teach you everything you want to know about your air fryer.
Vegetarian Air Fryer Resources - We have a vegetarian air fryer newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. We also have a specific vegetarian air fryer recipes group on facebook. You can find that Veg Air Fryer FB Group here.
If you are looking for vegetarian recipes beyond air fryer ones, we have a Vegetarian Newsletter as well as a Vegetarian Recipes facebook group. This newsletter and FB group offers up recipes that on the stove, in the oven, on the grill, in the instant pot and more!
Other Resources:
- Air Fryer Calculator (convert oven recipes to air fryer)
- Common Air Fryer Mistakes
- Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet
- Can You Put Foil in the Air Fryer
- How to Clean Your Air Fryer
- Tips for Your Air Fryer
- Cosori Air Fryer Reviews
More Air Fryer Goodies:
- Meat + Veg Newsletter
- Air Fryer Recipes - Facebook Group (large + fast paced - meat/veg)
- Air Fryer Recipes for Seniors - Facebook Group
- Gluten Free Air Fryer Recipes - Facebook Group
- Air Fryer Eats - Facebook Group (slower paced)
I LOVE my air fryer and hate the flavor of store-bought mozz sticks, so this recipe was perfect for me. What a treat - they were delicious!
So glad you loved them! These air fryer mozzarella sticks are certainly delicious! Yes the store bought ones aren't too good sometimes, but you can control the flavor of these air fryer cheese sticks! Enjoy enjoy enjoy!
I love using my air fryer for tasty treats like this!
It is the perfect reason to make these air fryer mozzarella sticks!
I love the idea of making our own at home. We love mozzarella sticks!
We love them too!
I am a lover of cheese and this Air Fryer option is so amazing and healthy. Love the blend of spices to making this awesome snack.
Thanks for stopping by and checking it out Veena! I hope you try our air fryer mozzarella sticks!
I have a friend who raves about her air fryer and then I tried it and I'm hooked! Now I need to try to make these! I'm sure they will be a hit in our house!
Yay so glad you are hooked! I hope you enjoy the air fryer mozzarella sticks in the future!