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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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;
More air fryer recipes for you to try at home
If you enjoy air frying, then why not try these easy recipes;
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
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
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
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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Sharina says
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!
Addison says
Such a great appetizer for the whole family! Yum!
Hilda says
These mozzarella sticks look amazing, I can’t wait to try them! Thanks for a great recipe!
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
Hope you enjoy them!
Sara says
Omg I could eat these every. single. day. SO GOOD! Made them in my Ninja air fryer. 100% will be making these again.
Bella B says
These were so good! Loved that they are gluten free. Had with some marinara and they didn’t last long.
Glenda says
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.
Lena says
Thank you for sharing this recipe! This recipe saved my day when I am looking for ideas for cheese because my kids love them. This idea is brilliant and I used the barbeque sauce! Amazing combo.
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
Isn’t it great when you find something that your kids actually LIKE to eat!!