Learn how to make Homemade Mozzarella Sticks and cook them in your air fryer! Cheese sticks are easy to make with a few simple ingredients. Plus, you can make them and freeze them to cook whenever you get a craving.
One of our favorite kitchen gadgets continues to be our air fryer. It’s such a great to cook some of our favorite snacks without doing any unhealthy deep-frying. This air fryer mozzarella sticks recipe is always a favorite. They’re made from scratch and cooked in the air fryer until they’re golden and crispy.
I can’t really tell the difference between these air-fried ones and deep-fried ones. You get a crispy breadcrumb coating but without all the oil. The air fryer cooks them perfectly.
If you’ve never made your breaded cheese sticks, you are going to love how easy this recipe is. The thing I love best about it is that you can make a batch and freeze them to cook later. It makes it easy to cook a batch whenever we get a craving.
Ingredients
- Mozzarella cheese sticks
- All-purpose flour
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Large eggs
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Cooking spray
- Marinara sauce for dipping
How to Make Them
In a shallow bowl, combine the flour and salt. Combine the breadcrumbs, salt, and garlic powder in a second shallow dish. In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs with a fork.
Slice the cheese sticks in half and dip each in the flour, then the egg, and then the bread crumbs. Be sure to get a good coating of breadcrumbs, so it sticks.
Place the breaded cheese sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the pan in the freezer for at least two hours.
After two hours, the cheese sticks are ready to cook. Or, you can transfer them to a freezer bag and keep them in the freezer for up to two to three months and cook them later.
How to Cook Mozzarella Sticks in an Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Take the sticks out of the freezer and coat them with cooking spray.
Place them in the air fryer in a single layer. If you can’t fit them all, you will need to cook them in batches. Cook the mozzarella sticks for six to eight minutes, turning them over halfway through the cooking time. They should be golden and crispy.
Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces like marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
FAQ
The breading won’t stick to my cheese sticks. What am I doing wrong?
First, make sure you coat them in flour first, then the egg, and then the breadcrumbs. You need enough egg coating, so the breadcrumbs adhere. To make it easier, lightly press the breadcrumb coating, so it sticks better.
The cheese oozed out before the breading was cooked. What happened?
Did you freeze the breaded cheese sticks for at least two hours? If you don’t freeze them first, the cheese will melt really fast in the air fryer before the breading is done.
Can you cook store-bought frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer?
Yes, both store-bought or frozen homemade mozzarella sticks can be cooked in your air fryer.
How long to cook mozzarella sticks in the air fryer?
Depending on the size, they take approximately six to eight minutes at 380°F.
Can you use different kinds of cheese?
Yes, try pepper jack cheese sticks, cheddar, or Colby Jack. I think these homemade mozzarella sticks in the air fryer are just as good as any restaurant. They’re crispy on the outside with the perfect amount of melty cheese on the inside. They’re great for parties, game days, or any time you get a craving.
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Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Cooking spray
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Get three shallow bowls (pie plates work well) place flour in one, breadcrumbs in one and the beaten egg in the last one. Add salt (I used ½ teaspoon in each) to the flour and add salt and garlic powder to the breadcrumbs.
- Cut the cheese sticks in half. Dip in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Make sure you get a good coating of each. Set them on the baking sheet. Freeze for a minimum of 2 hours.
- Preheat Air Fryer to 380°F. Spray the cheese sticks with cooking spray. Place in air fryer in a single layer (you may have to do more than one batch). Cook for 6-8 minutes, turning them over halfway through. You want them golden brown and a little crispy. Serve with marinara sauce.
Nutrition
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are made from scratch and baked using your air fryer until they are golden and crispy. Enjoy!
Mel is an IT guy turned blogger and is discovering his love of cooking and photography. If you ever have Fantasy Football questions, he's your guy.
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