How to Make Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

Nov 29

How to Make Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

This Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks recipe is the perfect easy homemade party appetizer for football Sundays! In our house, we have football every Sunday. My husband is rooting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and loves to munch on snacks while watching the game. This one is one of his favorites! These homemade mozzarella sticks are made with simple ingredients and are quick, and I love snagging a few for myself, too.

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Ingredients

4 mozzarella string cheese

1/4 cup flour of your choice
1 egg, whisked

1 cup Panko breadcrumbs

1 tbsp Italian seasoning blend
Avocado oil spray

How to Make Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Cut each mozzarella string cheese in half to create 8 smaller sticks.
Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second small bowl, whisk the egg. In the third bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs with the Italian seasoning blend.
Dip each mozzarella stick into the flour, then the whisked egg, again in the flour, and the whisked egg. Finally, finish in the Panko breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning mixture. Make sure to press gently to ensure the coating sticks.
Place the coated mozzarella sticks on a tray or plate lined with parchment paper and freeze for 10-15 minutes. This step helps the breading adhere better during cooking for best results.
While the mozzarella sticks are chilling, preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes.
Once the mozzarella sticks are adequately chilled, place them in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking.
Lightly spray the mozzarella sticks with avocado oil. This helps the Panko crumbs crisp up during cooking.
Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for approximately 5 minutes or until the mozzarella sticks are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara or ranch!

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FAQ

Yes! Mozzarella is a classic choice, but you can try any string cheese you have on hand.
Yes! Just use regular bread crumbs as an alternative for the breadcrumb mixture.
Freezing the mozzarella sticks before air frying helps the breading adhere better and prevents the cheese from oozing out too quickly. It's recommended for the best mozzarella sticks, but not strictly necessary.
Yes, you can assemble the mozzarella sticks and freeze them on a tray. Next, transfer the frozen sticks to a freezer bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for future use for a few weeks before air frying.
Yes, you can bake them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a preheated regular oven at high heat, around 400°F for 10-12 minutes or until the gooey mozzarella sticks are golden brown.
Warm marinara sauce, ranch dressing, garlic aioli, BBQ sauce, or a balsamic glaze are popular choices. Experiment with different dips to find your favorite to pair with the crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks.
Yes, you can use cooking spray or a brush to apply a thin layer of olive oil or any cooking oil of your choice.
Freezing the mozzarella sticks before air frying and making sure they are not overcooked can help prevent excessive cheese leakage.
Yes, you can use gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

This easy air fryer mozzarella sticks recipe is the best way to enjoy this classic, cheesy appetizer. With a crispy brown outside and a gooey melted cheese center, these air fryer mozzarella sticks will surely be a crowd-pleaser or simply an easy snack for you to try!

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Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

Yield: 8

Author: Jazz Leaf

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 5 MinTotal time: 25 Min

This Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks recipe is the perfect easy homemade party appetizer for football Sundays!

Ingredients

4 mozzarella string cheese
1/4 cup flour of your choice
1 egg, whisked
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 tbsp Italian seasoning blend
Avocado oil spray

Instructions

Cut each mozzarella string cheese in half to create 8 smaller sticks.
Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second bowl, whisk the egg. In the third bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs with the Italian seasoning blend.
Dip each mozzarella stick into the flour, then the whisked egg, again in the flour and the whisked egg. Finally finish in the Panko breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning mixture. Make sure to press gently to ensure the coating sticks.
Place the coated mozzarella sticks on a tray or plate lined with parchment paper and freeze for 10-15 minutes. This step helps the breading adhere better during cooking.
While the mozzarella sticks are chilling, preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes.
Once the mozzarella sticks are adequately chilled, place them in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking.
Lightly spray the mozzarella sticks with avocado oil. This helps the breadcrumbs crisp up during cooking.
Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for approximately 5 minutes or until the mozzarella sticks are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce such as marinara or ranch!

Did you make this recipe?

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Hey, I’m Jazz

I’m a nutritional therapist practitioner and spent 3 years as a personal chef to NBA athletes. Follow along for easy, attainable and healthy recipes in under 30 minutes!