Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are crispy on the outside and melty on the inside, perfect for dipping (no deep fryer required). Pair it with homemade marinara sauce or creamy ranch dressing and you’ll be begging for it.
Holly’s Recipe Highlight: Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Flavor: Crunchy, golden-brown crumbs with a savory garlic crunch on the outside and warm, stretchy, mild mozzarella cheese that’s perfectly salted and melty on the inside. Why make it: This recipe is easy to make using string cheese and a few ingredients you have in your pantry. It’s easy to prepare ahead of time and only takes a few minutes to cook. Technique: Freezing the mozzarella sticks before air frying is an important step to trap the cheese inside and ensure it melts perfectly without leaking during cooking. Serving suggestions: I love serving it warm and melting with marinara sauce for dipping, creamy ranch, tangy pizza sauce, or a rich garlic aioli for extra flavor.
Total time: 1 hour (only 20 minutes of hands-on time!) Yield: 16 mozzarella sticks Cooking method: Air fryer
Air fryer mozzarella sticks ingredient notes
Mozzarella Cheese Strings: Cheese strings (any flavor will do) are the easiest choice because they are already perfectly portioned and will hold their shape when cooked. Simply cut each in half for bite-sized pieces perfect for parties. Egg: The egg acts as a binding layer that helps the flour and breadcrumb coating stick to the cheese. Whisk with a little water to form an even, smooth coating with a crispy finish. Breadcrumbs: Seasoned breadcrumbs provide the main flavor to the coating. Bread crumbs add extra lightness and give mozzarella sticks a crunchy, airy texture when air fried.
favorite variations
Italian: Use Italian breadcrumbs and add a pinch of dried oregano or basil. Season: Mix in taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. Cheesy coating: Add finely grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs.
How to make air fryer mozzarella sticks
Cut the mozzarella sticks in half and place them in 3 bowls with the egg, seasoned flour, and breadcrumb mixture.
Dip each cheese stick in egg, then in flour, then in egg, then in breadcrumbs.
Freeze. Air fry in a single layer (full recipe below).
Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
Using frozen mozzarella sticks
Skip the prep work and use store-bought frozen mozzarella sticks. Cook at 390°F for about 5-7 minutes.
save the crisis
Leftovers: Store cooked mozzarella sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 minutes or until crisp and warm. Make-Ahead: Prepare breaded uncooked mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet until firm and freeze. Transfer to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months. Cook from frozen when you’re ready to eat! Serving Instructions: These are best served immediately. The coating will soften if left out, but the air fryer will bring back the crispiness better than the microwave.
Other Crispy Air Fryer Snacks
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Cut the mozzarella sticks in half.
whisk the eggs 1 tablespoons of water. In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs, bread crumbs, vegetable oil, and garlic powder. Add the flour to a third bowl and season with salt and pepper.
Dip each mozzarella stick into the egg and then into the flour mixture. Add back to egg and finally dip into breadcrumb mixture.
Place on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes (or up to 6 months).
Preheat air fryer to 390°F.
Generously spray mozzarella sticks with oil or cooking spray. Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes or until crispy.
Serve immediately.
Don’t have an air fryer? no problem! Bake these in a preheated 400°F oven for 9 to 11 minutes. These are frozen before cooking, so the crumbs get crispy without the cheese melting. Be sure to preheat your air fryer. Also, keep in mind that air fryers may vary depending on their specifications. Please check early, about 4 minutes early. It’s done when the cheese starts to bubble. Purchased frozen mozzarella sticks will cook at 390°F for about 5 to 7 minutes. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or make ahead and freeze for up to 6 months and cook in the air fryer.
Provided by: 1mozzarella sticks | calorie: 87 | carbohydrates: 7g | protein: 5g | fat: 5g | Saturated fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated fats: 1g | Monounsaturated fats: 0.5g | Trans fat: 0.01g | cholesterol: 28mg | sodium: 182mg | potassium: twenty fourmg | fiber: 0.3g | sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 39IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | calcium: twenty fourmg | iron: 0.5mg
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and will vary depending on the cooking method and brand of ingredients used.
course Appetizers, party food, and snacks
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Recipe Adapted from this cheese stick recipe posted in 2013.
(translate tag) breadcrumbs
