These easy homemade Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks are crispy on the outside and so cheesy on the inside. With just a few simple ingredients you can easily make your own homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks.
The air fryer is one of my two favorite kitchen gadgets (the crockpot is the other). I’ve tried lots of kitchen appliances. Each of them promising that they will make my life and meal making so much easier. Most of them don’t live up to the hype. The air fryer is one that has not only lived up to expectations, but has surpassed them.
The air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food being cooked. This is what helps make these mozzarella sticks crispy on the outside with soft, gooey cheese on the inside.
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
We love to make these for game night, on Friday’s for pizza night and even as a tasty snack. The recipe is so simple and it takes just a few minutes to make. Give these mozzarella sticks a try!
You’ll only need a few ingredients to make these mozzarella sticks.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Mozzarella Cheese Sticks:
Eggs – you’ll need a couple of eggs for this recipe. Use medium or large eggs.
All purpose flour – Use all purpose flour or swap it out for your favorite type of flour such as a gluten free flour. They all work well with this recipe.
Breadcrumbs or Panko Breadcrumbs – both kinds of bread crumbs work with this recipe. Use panko breadcrumbs if you want more crunch. You can also use seasoned breadcrumbs to add more flavor.
Grated Parmesan Cheese – this recipe works better with grated parmesan cheese because it has a finer texture than shredded cheese.
Salt and Black Pepper – just a bit to give the coating flavor.
Mozzarella String Cheese – use your favorite brand of string cheese. Cut them in half to make them the perfect cheese stick size.
Vegetable Spray or Non Stick Spray – you’ll want to spray your rack with a vegetable oil, olive oil spray or non stick spray to help the finished mozzarella sticks from sticking to the air fryer rack.
Marinara Sauce – serve your mozzarella cheese sticks with your favorite marinara sauce for dipping.
How to make Air Fryer Mozzarella Cheese Sticks:
Preheat your air fryer according to your air fryer’s directions.
Combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.
Beat eggs in a second bowl.
Place the flour into a third bowl.
Dip the mozzarella stick in flour, then dip it in the beaten eggs and finally dip it in the breadcrumb mixture.
Repeat the process to give the cheese stick a good coating of breadcrumbs. Dip the mozzarella stick back into the beaten egg mixture, then breadcrumb again to really coat the mozzarella stick and lay on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Freeze the prepared sticks for at least an hour. This is important. This will keep the cheese sticks from turning into a cheese puddle before the coating has turned golden brown.
To cook the cheese sticks place them into air fryer basket in a single layer. Leave room between each cheese stick so the hot air can cook all the sides. Lightly spray the mozzarella sticks with vegetable oil or cooking spray. This helps the coating to turn golden brown.
Cook the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 6 minutes. If they are not golden brown cook for another two minutes. Let the mozzarella sticks sit for a few minutes before serving.
Dip in marinara and enjoy!
Helpful Air Fryer Tips:
For extra crispy mozzarella sticks you’ll want to double dunk the cheese sticks in the bread crumb mixture or panko mixture. After you dip them the first time dip them again in the egg followed by dipping again in the bread crumb mixture.
Freeze the cheese sticks before air frying. This helps them hold their shape while being air fried and keeps them from exploding or turning into a gooey puddle of cheese.
Every air fryer cooks a bit differently. Start checking the mozzarella sticks after cooking for 6 minutes. If they aren’t golden brown then try cooking them for 2 minutes at a time.
How to store leftover mozzarella sticks:
Place any leftover mozzarella sticks into an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 5 days.
To reheat your frozen cheese sticks place them back into the air fryer at 375 degrees F for 5 minutes or until heated through.
Can you freeze these mozzarella sticks?
Yes you can make and prep these mozzarella sticks and freeze them before cooking in the air fryer. Follow the instructions right up to the step where you place the coated uncooked mozzarella sticks into the freezer.
After they have been in the freezer for 30 minutes you can remove them from the baking sheet and place them in a freezer safe container to store in the freezer. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To air fryer the frozen sticks place them in a preheat air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes. The amount of cooking time to air fry them will vary based on your model of air fryer. If the mozzarella sticks aren’t golden brown continue to cook in the air fryer for another 2 minutes.
What can I serve with these mozzarella sticks?
I like to serve these tasty snacks up with dipping sauce. Marinara is the traditional dipping sauce served with mozzarella sticks.
Looking for something different? Why not try them with some of these:
Ranch Dressing – who doesn’t love ranch
Tangy Ketchup is a nice sweet and tangy dipping sauce
Bang Bang Sauce if you want something a little spicy
Big Mac Sauce – it’s not just for burgers. It also makes a delicious dipping sauce.
Southern Comeback Sauce – similar to Big Mac Sauce or even Thousand Island dressing but with a bit more tang
Can you make these mozzarella sticks low carb or keto?
Yes you can! Swap out the bread crumbs and all purpose flour with almond flour or pork rind crumbs to create a delicious low carb version of mozzarella sticks.
If you love mozzarella sticks in the air fryer you might also enjoy some of these other easy air fryer recipes:
Air Fryer Copycat Chipotle Chicken
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Easy Homemade Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 8 Mozzarella Cheese Sticks cut in half
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Vegetable Spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer according to your air fryer’s directions.
- Place the all purpose flour in a shallow bowl.1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Beat eggs in another bowl.2 large eggs
- Combine the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs, Salt and Pepper to taste
- Roll the mozzarella stick in flour, then dip it in the eggs and finally dip it in the breadcrumb mixture.8 Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
- Repeat the process to give the cheese stick a good coating of breadcrumbs. Dip the mozzarella stick back into the eggs, then breadcrumb again to really coat the mozzarella stick and lay on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Freeze the prepared sticks for at least an hour.
- To cook the cheese sticks place them into air fryer in a single layer. Leave room between each cheese stick so the hot air can cook all the sides. Lightly spray the mozzarella sticks with vegetable oil or non stick spray. This helps the coating to turn golden brown.Vegetable Spray
- Cook the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 6 minutes. If they are not golden brown cook for another two minutes. Let the mozzarella sticks sit for a few minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition
Serve your mozzarella sticks with some of these recipes:
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Chicken Piccata
Cheese Stuffed Italian Sausage and Peppers
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