These easy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are panko-breaded mozzarella string cheese cooked to crispy perfection in about five minutes in an air fryer, also known as a convection oven. Skip the deep fryer, the extra calories, and the mess. They cook up crispy on the outside with melted stretchy mozzarella on the inside and are just as tasty as the deep-fried version.
My family and friends like them better. Serve these tasty snacks with various dipping sauces, such as marinara, ranch, BBQ sauce, comeback sauce, or boom boom sauce.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- String cheese: traditionally, I use mozzarella, but other string cheeses that works well are cheddar, pepper jack, and gouda.
- Breadcrumbs: I prefer Panko breadcrumbs for the crispiness, but Italian or homemade work well too.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, but other seasonings to try include onion powder and Cajun seasoning,
How to make Air Fryer Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Start by cutting the mozzarella sticks in half. Next, add the flour to a bowl. Then, whisk the eggs in a second bowl. Combine the panko breadcrumbs, Italian spices, garlic powder, and black pepper in a third bowl.
Now dredge the mozzarella sticks in the flour, dunk in the beaten eggs, and then into the breadcrumb mixture. Place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
Preheat the air fryer and brush the mozzarella sticks with olive oil. Place them in the basket with space between the sticks. Cook for about 5 minutes or until they are brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them. If the cheese starts leaking out, remove them from the air fryer as quickly as possible. For best results, serve promptly with warm marinara sauce.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Dip them again in the beaten eggs and panko bread crumbs for extra crispy mozzarella sticks. Increase the breadcrumbs to 1 1/4 cups and the eggs to 3.
- Freeze the breaded mozzarella sticks on a parchment-covered baking sheet with space between the sticks for at least 30 minutes.
- Every air fryer cooks at a different pace, so check on the sticks several times.
- For maximum enjoyment, serve with warm marinara.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer at 390 degrees for about 5 minutes.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. See below for freezing tips.
How To Prepare Mozzarella Sticks Ahead of Time
Bread the mozzarella sticks and place them on a parchment-covered baking sheet with space between them. Place the baking sheet in the freezer on a level surface. Once frozen, transfer the mozzarella sticks to a heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months.
When ready to cook, remove the number of frozen mozzarella sticks you want to air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees. While the air fryer is warming, brush the sticks with olive oil. Lay them in a single layer in the air fryer with space between them.
Cook for 5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them so you can remove them quickly if the cheese leaks out.
More Appetizer Recipes
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 8 mozzarella string cheese
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ⅔ cup marinara optional
Instructions
- Unwrap and cut the mozzarella sticks in half. Add the flour to a bowl. Whisk the eggs together in a second bowl. In a third bowl combine the panko breadcrumbs, Italian spices, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Dredge the mozzarella sticks in the flour, then dunk in the beaten eggs, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture. Place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper with space between them. Place the baking sheet on a level surface in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees. Brush the mozzarella sticks with olive oil or spray with cooking spray. Place in the air fryer basket with space between the sticks. Cook for 5 minutes or until they are brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them. If the cheese starts to escape then remove them from the air fryer quickly. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For extra crispy mozzarella sticks, dip them one more time in the beaten eggs and then in the panko bread crumbs. Increase the breadcrumbs to 1 1/4 cups and the eggs to 3.
- Freeze the breaded mozzarella sticks on a parchment-covered baking sheet with space between the sticks for at least 30 minutes.
- Every air fryer cooks at a little different pace, so check on the sticks several times.
- For maximum enjoyment, serve with warm marinara.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer at 390 degrees for about 5 minutes.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. See below for freezing tips.
Nutrition
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Harold R
These air fryer mozzarella sticks are delicious. They make great game day food. Thanks for the recipe.
Yolanda
I have been trying to use our air fryer more often. These mozarella sticks are very tasty and satisfying and also super easy to make. Thank you for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Yolanda!
Melanie E
My kids love these. They’re so easy to make and fast in an air fryer. I’ve never tried to freeze these before, good to know!! I must give that a go next time I make some.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Melanie! So glad that you and your kids like them
Karen
I can’t believe these were air-fried, wow!!! I am beyond impressed. I am going to share this recipe with friends!
Jais
I have recently bought an air fryer. I am so excited to try new recipes that I can make in the air fryer. I am surely going to give this a shot.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Jais! Enjoy!
Paula Montgomery
These air fryer mozzarella sticks look amazing! I love the idea of skipping the deep fryer and still getting that crispy texture. Thanks!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Paula!
Daisy
Easy prep and absolutely delicious. I love that I can cook a few at a time and freeze the rest for later… Fresh stx are the best!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Daisy! I am so glad that you liked them!
Elise Ho
We make so much in the air fryer. And I swear it all comes out wonderfully
kushigalu
I love this air fryer version of mozzarella sticks. My whole family really enjoyed them. Thanks for sharing.
ShilpaBindlish
These are amazing and so easy to make in the air fryer. They taste even better than deep fried mozzarella sticks.
Tweenselmom
My eldest loves mozzarella sticks. This was such a great treat for her and she really enjoyed them.
Stephanie
These are delicious! Mozzarella sticks have always been one of my favorite things to eat. The air fryer makes them so easy!
Bryan
I continue to find more and more things to cook in my air fryer. And mozzarella sticks would make a great choice, since it is something most everyone loves!
Beth Pierce
So true!
Soniya
Oh yum.. love that they are made from scratch.. they were so delicious!!