Air Fryer mozzarella sticks are an easy and indulgent snack or appetizer that everyone loves.
Making mozzarella sticks in the air fryer is a fast and easy way to get gooey cheese sticks with a crispy coating on the table in no time!
Serve them warm with bowls of marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Easy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
- Game day and movie night aren’t the same without a tasty batch of chewy, gooey mozzarella sticks served with your fave marinara or ranch dip!
- Homemade mozzarella sticks come out just like the TGI Friday starters but you can make them at home for half the cost in half the time!
- Prep a double or triple batch of this recipe and freeze them for future sides and snacks! Simply cook or reheat in the Air Fryer!
Ingredients and Variations
String Cheese – Mozzarella is the popular choice because it’s so rich and melty, but you can swap out mozzarella for cut strips of cheddar cheese.
Eggs – Used as a binder, eggs help the breadcrumbs and seasonings cling to the string cheese.
Breading – Flour and seasoned breadcrumbs make mozza sticks super crunchy on the outside while keeping the cheese nice and melty inside.
Seasoning – Garlic powder and Italian seasoning are all you need, but you can spice it up with a few shakes of cayenne or chili pepper!
Variations – For a low-carb coating, blend almond flour with crushed pork rinds. Feel free to add any seasoning blend you like; Cajun, Taco, Chile, or even everything bagel seasoning will make a new cheesy treat every time!
How to Make Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Making mozzarella sticks in the air fryer is a fast and easy way to get gooey cheese sticks with a crispy coating on the table in no time!
- Whisk egg and water in a bowl, (as explained in the recipe card below).
- Mix the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and breadcrumbs in another bowl.
- Dip cheese sticks in flour, then egg mixture, and then roll in the seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Repeat this process one more time.
- Freeze cheese sticks for 30 minutes.
- Repeat the dipping step and freeze for another 30 minutes.
- Cook mozza sticks in a single layer until they are golden brown. Serve hot.
Tips for the Best Mozzarella Sticks
- Lining the air fryer with parchment paper prevents cheese from dripping out and makes cleanup a breeze! But don’t put the parchment paper in until AFTER if preheats!
- Be sure to press the seasoned coating into the cheese so it adheres evenly. Chilling the mozza sticks before air frying is an important step that solidifies the breading onto the sticks so the cheese doesn’t ooze out during cooking.
- Allow for some space between the mozzarella sticks so the hot air can circulate them and cook them evenly.
More Amazing Appetizers
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup panko or Italian breadcrumbs, or a combination of both
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 strings mozzarella sticks
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the flour in a small mixing bowl.
- Add the egg with 1-2 tablespoons of water to a small mixing bowl. Beat with a fork.
- Mix together the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and breadcrumbs in another small mixing bowl.
- Dip each mozzarella stick into the flour, then into the egg mixture, and then roll in the breadcrumb mixture until coated. Repeat this breading step a second time.
- Place the breaded sticks on the lined baking sheet and freeze them for at least 30 minutes.
- Repeat the dipping steps and freezing step one more time. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and cook the mozzarella sticks for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
©I Don’t Have Time For That. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
REPIN this Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
