Homemade mozzarella sticks make a great snack for kids and adults alike. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce like marinara, ranch dressing, or honey mustard. They also freeze well before they are cooked, so you can make a big batch and pop them in the air fryer whenever you want a tasty treat! If you’re looking for more appetizer recipes, try my air fryer chicken wings, fried pickles, or bruschetta recipe.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Mozzarella Sticks – whole milk sticks are the best choice for a gooey cheese filling. Part-skim milk cheese sticks will also work, but they will be slightly rubbery in texture. Eggs – use large eggs to create a sufficient binding for the breadcrumbs to stick to the cheese sticks. Breadcrumbs – I recommend using panko breadcrumbs for the best crunch and texture. You can find them plain or seasoned for extra flavor. Seasoning – a savory combination of Italian seasoning mix, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt is the perfect balance of savory flavors.
How to Make Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer
- Cut the mozzarella sticks in half crosswise to make 16 pieces.
- Place the flour in a shallow dish. Beat the eggs in a second shallow dish, and combine the panko, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a third shallow dish.
- Dip each cheese stick in the flour mixture.
- Then dip in the egg mixture, using a fork to coat it completely.
- Then, move the cheese stick to the third bowl and coat it in the breadcrumb mixture, using a fork to press on the cheese stick to adhere to the coating.
- Dredge each stick again in the egg mixture.
- Then coat in the bread crumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
- Place the double-coated mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer and freeze for at least 30 minutes (or up to 1 month in a freezer-safe container). Once the sticks are frozen, preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket and frozen sticks with cooking spray. Air fry mozzarella sticks in batches until golden, for about 6 to 8 minutes. Serve hot with warm marinara sauce.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
Double-dredge the cheese sticks. Make sure to dredge the mozzarella cheese sticks twice by giving them a double layer of coating in the egg and breadcrumb mixture. This will create a proper barrier to keep the breading from cracking or splitting too fast when cooked and letting the cheese ooze out. Keep an eye on them in the air fryer! While the double dredge adds some extra protection from oozing cheese, the longer the mozzarella sticks cook, the more likely they are to burst and let the melted cheese flow out. Your air fryer may differ in temperature, so start checking them every minute after 6 minutes. Don’t skip the freezing step! This step is worth the extra time and is essential to make air fried mozzarella sticks. If you don’t freeze them before cooking, the cheese will melt too early and spill out before the coating is fully cooked. Air fry in batches if needed. To make the crispiest mozzarella sticks in the air fryer, place them in a single layer so they do not touch each other and leave about ½ inch between each one for good airflow. Avoid overcrowding the basket by cooking in two batches!
If you’ve tried this Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
