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My air fryer mozzarella sticks are crispy, golden brown, and SO cheesy. Make them in advance and store them in the freezer for a quick appetizer.
My family knows I have a lowkey obsession with mozzarella sticks, so que my air-fried mozzarella sticks. They’re just as crispy and golden as the boxed variety but made with a shortlist of ingredients…and plenty of cheese. And don’t fret- they are SO easy to make from scratch. Bonus? They cook in just 6 minutes!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- The perfect texture. They’re ultra crispy on the outside and stuffed to the brim with gooey melted cheese.
- Simple ingredients. So long as you have a pack of cheese sticks in your fridge, you can make my recipe.
- Make them in advance. Prep them as directed, then store them, uncooked, in a freezer bag. When you have a craving, just pop a few in the air fryer.
- Customizable. Swap the cheese sticks for different flavors or add extra spices for a twist.
Love making appetizers in the air fryer? Try my air fryer pizza rolls, air fryer bagel bites, air fryer nachos, and air fryer potstickers next.
Key Ingredients
- All-purpose flour. To coat the cheese sticks. I tested these out with wholewheat flour and alternative flours (coconut and almond flour) and it just didn’t hold up as well as standard white flour.
- Eggs. So the breading sticks to the cheese.
- Panko bread crumbs. For the crunch. You can use standard bread crumbs, but they won’t be as crispy as panko.
- Seasonings. I used Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Salt and black pepper. Just a pinch.
- Mozzarella string cheese. I tested full-fat and low-fat mozzarella sticks, and I found the low-fat variety to be too chewy and rubbery, so stick to the full-fat variety.
How to air fry mozzarella sticks
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep your stations. In one shallow bowl, add the flour, in a second, add the beaten eggs and in a third, add the panko breadcrumbs and seasonings.
Step 2- Dredge. Toss the mozzarella cheese sticks in the flour mixture, then in the eggs, then in the panko. Repeat the latter two.
Step 3- Freeze. Place them on a plate and freeze for 30 minutes.
Step 4- Air fry. Place the sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for 6 minutes or until golden and crisp. Serve warm with dipping sauce.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Don’t skip the freezing step! As tempting as you may be, freezing is essential to keep the cheese from oozing out of the breading.
- Swap the seasonings. Instead of Italian seasoning, try Cajun seasoning or keto taco seasoning.
- Dipping sauces. Try warm marinara sauce, Pomodoro sauce, or ranch dressing.
- Reheating frozen mozzarella sticks? Add an extra 4 minutes of cooking time.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To freeze: Breaded, uncooked mozzarella sticks should be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to six months. Don’t thaw them before reheating.
To reheat: Reheat mozzarella sticks in the oven on a baking sheet or in the air fryer until warm. Add a few extra minutes if air frying from frozen.
Frequently asked questions
Freeze the mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes to lock in the cheese and keep them from oozing in the air fryer.
Yes. While I did say alternative flours don’t work as well, the exception is gluten-free all-purpose flour. Opt for a brand that contains xanthan gum.
More air fryer recipes
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 8 mozzarella sticks or string cheese
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare your breading station by placing flour on one shallow plate, beaten eggs on another plate, and the panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper on a third plate.
- Toss the mozzarella sticks into the flour, then dredge in the eggs and then in panko mixture. Repeat once again, dredging them in the eggs and panko to ensure maximum crispiness.
- Once all the mozzarella sticks are prepared, place them in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F and grease the air fryer basket.
- Place the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer and air fry for 6 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Serve the mozzarella sticks with a dipping sauce.
