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Splash of Taste – Vegetarian Recipes

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Home / Vegetarian

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Published January 24, 2023 | Updated June 1, 2023 | By Mandy & Jane

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Air fryer mozzarella sticks image for Pinterest.
Air fryer mozzarella sticks image for Pinterest.

Craving delicious mozzarella sticks but don’t want the added guilt from deep frying them? Try our air fryer mozzarella sticks recipe! This easy version of the classic snack is made with simple ingredients and cooked to golden perfection in an air fryer. Enjoy the gooey cheese center and a crispy outer layer that is perfect for game day, a party appetizer, or a quick snack.

Air fried mozzarella sticks on a serving plate with sweet chili sauce.

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If you’re looking for a delicious and easy appetizer that’s just a little different from air fryer zucchini fries, or air fryer buffalo fries, then you’re going to love these air fryer string cheese!

Why you’ll love this making cheese sticks in the air fryer

  • There’s no need to get your deep fryer out to air fry mozzarella sticks, meaning less oil and less smell.
  • They make the perfect appetizer for game day, pizza night, or family gatherings.
  • Mix up the flavors with different seasonings.
  • All the ingredients are 100% vegetarian.

Ingredients you’ll need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below to make gooey mozzarella sticks.

Ingredients needed, Panko breadcrumbs, mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, Garlic powder, and eggs.

Delicious cheesy, melty, goodness; these are mozzarella sticks air fryer style, and they’ve never been so easy to make!

How to make air fryer mozzarella sticks with step-by-step instructions

A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Cut your mozzarella cheese into ½ inch sticks and set aside. Whisk your eggs and milk in a small bowl.

Whisked egg and milk in a bowl, cheese sticks by the side.
Cut the mozzarella into sticks and whisk egg and milk.
Someone placing Panko breadcrumbs in a bowl.
Combine breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Add Panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to a Ziploc bag and, using a rolling pin, crush into fine bread crumbs, then transfer them into a bowl.

Now, take a stick of mozzarella cheese and dip it into the egg mixture; let the excess egg drip off before dipping it into bread crumb mixture, turning it to ensure it’s fully coated.

A mozzarella stick in the egg mixture.
Place the cheese stick in the egg mixture.
Somone lifting the mozzarella stick out of the breadcrumb mixture.
Then dip the stick into the breadcrumb mixture, place the coated cheese sticks on a baking sheet, and chill for 90 minutes.

Place the mozzarella sticks on a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet while you repeat the process until all the sticks are coated.

Now place the uncooked mozzarella sticks in the fridge to chill for a minimum of 90 minutes.

Preheat your air fryer to 390°F/200°C.

When chilled, remove them from the fridge, and place them in your air fryer basket in a single layer, be careful not to overcrowd them.

Uncooked mozzarella sticks in an air fryer basket.
Place the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Cooked mozzarella sticks in an air fryer basket.
Air fry for approximately 6 – 8 minutes.

Spray generously with cooking spray and cook until they are golden brown and crispy, approximately 6 – 8 minutes.

When cooked, use tongs to remove the homemade mozzarella sticks from the basket and transfer them to a serving plate.

You may have to air fry multiple batches, serve and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauces.

Recipe notes and expert tips

  • Preheat
    We pre-heat our air fryer, but if you have an oven-style basket-type air fryer, you probably won’t need to. 
  • Watch closely
    Air fryers cook differently; different brands and capacities can mean that your food will need a longer or shorter cooking time, so keep a close eye on them.
  • Storage
    Keep air fryer cheese sticks in an airtight container for up to 3 days and freeze for up to 3 months. Cook frozen mozzarella cheese sticks for approx. 8 – 10 minutes.

How to store leftover air-fried mozzarella sticks

Air fryer mozzarella sticks will keep stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat to get the gooey string cheese.

You can also freeze for up to 3 months and cook frozen mozzarella sticks for approximately 8 – 10 minutes.

Cooked air fryer mozzarella sticks on a plate with a bowl of chili sauce.

Flavor variations

You can add change the flavor of your mozzarella sticks, replace Italian seasoning with pizza seasoning, cajun seasoning, peri peri seasoning, and even veggie poultry seasoning.

How many mozzarella sticks can I cook at one time in an air fryer?

This will depend on the size of your air fryer basket; typically, you can air fry between 6 – 10 mozzarella sticks in one go.

It’s essential to ensure they don’t touch each other and are in a single layer, or you’ll get soggy sticks.

And if you run out of room in your air fryer, you can always make mozzarella sticks in the oven.

What to serve with homemade mozzarella cheese sticks

There’s nothing better than to dip a mozzarella cheese stick into a homemade sauce; try these delicious sauces;

  • Marinara sauce
  • Arrabiata sauce
  • BBQ sauce
  • Sweet chili sauce
  • Tzatziki sauce
  • Basil aioli sauce
Delicious crispy, golden mozzarella cheese sticks on a serving plate.

More air fryer recipes for you to try at home

If you enjoy air frying, then why not try these easy recipes;

  • Smashed potatoes in the air fryer
  • Baked potatoes in the air fryer
  • Frozen onion rings in the air fryer
  • Buffalo cauliflower in the air fryer
  • Air fryer pizza rolls
Crispy air fryer smashed potatoes.

Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Air fryer baked potatoes, with sour cream and parsley loaded on them.

Air fryer baked potato recipe

Air fryer frozen onion rings, cooked on a tray with a bowl of sour cream and chive dip.

Air fryer frozen onion rings

Buffalo cauliflower air fryer style.

Air fryer buffalo cauliflower

Homemade pizza rolls in air fryer.

Homemade Pizza rolls in the air fryer

Crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks freshly cooked.
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89

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Indulge in crispy, cheesy goodness with our air fryer mozzarella sticks recipe! Made with just a few simple ingredients, these mozzarella sticks are a healthier alternative to deep-fried versions. An air fryer allows the cheese to melt perfectly while the breading becomes crispy and golden brown. Perfect for a snack or party appetizer, our recipe is easy to follow and will have you enjoying delicious mozzarella sticks in no time!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 50 minutes mins
Servings20 Sticks
Calories115
Course: Appetizer, Dinner Party, snack
Cuisine: American
Author: Mandy Applegate | Splash of Taste
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Ingredients

  • 16 oz Whole milk mozzarella cheese block
  • 3 large Eggs
  • 3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • ½ tsp Black pepper
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Cut the mozzarella cheese into approximately 20 x ½ inch thick sticks. In a small bowl, whisk your eggs.
    16 oz Whole milk mozzarella cheese block, 3 large Eggs
  • Add your Panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to a Ziploc bag, seal the bag and use a rolling pin to crush the crumbs into fine crumbs. Once crushed give the bag a shake to combine and then transfer it to a mixing bowl.
    3 cup Panko breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp Garlic powder, 1 pinch Salt, ½ tsp Black pepper
  • Now, take a stick of mozzarella and dip it into the whisked egg, let the excess egg drip off before placing it in the breadcrumb mixture and turning it so the whole stick is evenly coated with crumbs. Place the stick on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and repeat the process until all the sticks are covered. Place the prepared mozzarella sticks in your freezer for a minimum of 90 minutes.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 390°F/ 200°C. Place your mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket lined with air fryer parchment paper, being careful not to overcrowd them, and spray generously with oil, then cook until they are golden brown, approximately 6 – 8 minutes. Using tongs, remove the cooked sticks from the air fryer and place them on a serving plate. Repeat in batches until all the sticks have been cooked. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Notes

  • Preheat
     We pre-heat our air fryer, but if you have an oven-style basket-type air fryer, you probably won’t need to. 
  • Watch closely
     Air fryers cook differently; different brands and capacities can mean that your food will need a longer or shorter cooking time, so keep a close eye on them.
  • Storage
     Keep air fryer cheese sticks in an airtight container for up to 3 days and freeze for up to 3 months. Cook frozen mozzarella cheese sticks for approx. 8 – 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 221mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 198IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 1mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

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About Mandy

A vegetarian for over 35 years, Mandy has taught herself to be creative in the kitchen. Traveling extensively, Mandy loves learning and adapting vegetarian recipes from across the world. Read more...

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Comments

  1. Sharina says

    February 4, 2023 at 2:00 pm

    5 stars
    I am so in love with these Air fryer mozzarella sticks! This was my first time making them in the air fryer and I used pizza seasoning instead of Italian seasoning, so glad it turned out so satisfying and delicious!

    Reply
  2. Addison says

    February 4, 2023 at 7:51 pm

    5 stars
    Such a great appetizer for the whole family! Yum!

    Reply
  3. Hilda says

    February 5, 2023 at 1:57 am

    5 stars
    These mozzarella sticks look amazing, I can’t wait to try them! Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      February 5, 2023 at 10:57 am

      Hope you enjoy them!

  4. Sara says

    February 5, 2023 at 5:25 pm

    5 stars
    Omg I could eat these every. single. day. SO GOOD! Made them in my Ninja air fryer. 100% will be making these again.

    Reply
  5. Bella B says

    February 5, 2023 at 5:27 pm

    5 stars
    These were so good! Loved that they are gluten free. Had with some marinara and they didn’t last long.

    Reply
  6. Glenda says

    February 5, 2023 at 5:53 pm

    5 stars
    Fried cheese without the greasy splattery mess? Yes, please!!! I had Italian seasoned Panko, so left out the seasoning and they still turned out perfectly. Love, love, love this easy appetizer.

    Reply

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