These air fryer mozzarella sticks are super crispy and cheesy — no deep frying needed! They’re the perfect easy snack for hungry kids or a satisfying gameday appetizer.
I absolutely love this air fryer mozzarella stick recipe. Cooking them in the air fryer allows my cheesy cravings to be satisfied without feeling heavy afterwards or having to clean up the mess of deep frying. The crispy, golden outside layer paired with that warm, yummy cheese pull is such a massive hit with our family, especially with my boys who can’t get enough of them. It’s the ultimate mom-win: a snack that feels indulgent but is actually quite light.
How To Make Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
I have so much fun making these air fried mozzarella sticks! Once they’re all breaded, the hot air fryer does the rest of the work in just a few minutes.
- Prepare the dredging stations: In a large bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk or fork. Mix together the flour and breadcrumbs in another bowl.
- Bread the cheese sticks: Working in batches, dredge each cheese stick in the eggs and breadcrumb mixture twice.
- Freeze the cheese sticks: Place the breaded cheese sticks on a cutting board (I love this one or these) or a baking sheet and freeze them for 30 minutes.
- Air fry the cheese sticks: Spray the cheese sticks with cooking spray and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook them at 400°F for 5-7 minutes.
Hot tip: If you only have plain breadcrumbs, add one tablespoon of Italian seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the flour mixture. Add a pinch of garlic powder if you like it, too.
Tips From the Kitchen
The most common issue that people run into with homemade mozzarella sticks is the exploding cheese. I’ve tested this recipe a bunch of times, and here are six tips I’ve learned to keep them intact and delicious every time.
- Double coat the cheese sticks. One layer of breadcrumbs isn’t enough to create a thick barrier against the heat, so dip each cheese stick in the eggs and crumb mixture twice.
- Freeze before frying. This is the top tip for perfect mozz’ sticks! Giving the breaded sticks at least 30 minutes in the freezer helps to chill the cheese core, which helps to slow down the melting and give the crust more time to get crispy.
- Spray the cheese sticks and tray. To prevent sticking, be generous with the oil spray.
- Leave room between each stick. Air fryers rely on circulating hot air to cook food, so do your best to make sure none of the sticks are touching each other.
- Avoid overcooking. Each air fryer is different and the cook time depends on the brand of cheese you use, so start keeping an eye on the mozzarella sticks at the 5-minute mark. As soon as you see a tiny bit of cheese bubbling out, pull them out.
- Serve the sticks warm. They taste the best while the cheese is hot and stretchy! A dipping sauce like warm marinara, ranch, or spicy mayo is a must.
Storage & Reheating
It’s pretty rare that we have any leftover mozzarella sticks in our house, but they’re always polished off by the next day!
- Storage: Store leftover mozzarella sticks for up to three days in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheating: To reheat leftover mozzarella sticks, place them back into the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, or until they’re crispy again. The microwave also works if you’re in a rush.
More Cheesy Air Fryer Snacks
- Air Fryer Potato Skins — Ready in 15 minutes and loaded with cheddar and bacon
- Air Fryer Quesadillas — Add in any of your favorite fillings!
- Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini Chips — Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside
- Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers — Bacon-wrapped and stuffed with two kinds of cheese
Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 Mozzarella string cheeses cut in half
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup Italian style bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup flour
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Set up the dredging stations. In a large shallow bowl, beat the eggs. In another large shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs and flour.
- Place one of the string cheese sticks into the beaten eggs. Then, dip it into the bread crumb mixture, making sure all the sides are lightly covered.
- Once again, place the cheese stick into the beaten eggs and then the bread crumb mixture for a final coat. Gently press the bread crumbs into the cheese stick to ensure they adhere well and the cheese stick is completely covered.
- Set aside the breaded cheese stick on a clean cutting board. Repeat the dipping process until all the string cheeses have been coated. Place the cutting board with the breaded cheese sticks in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- Spray each side of the mozzarella sticks with cooking oil. Spray the air fryer tray as well.
- Arrange the mozzarella sticks in a single layer with some space in between each one. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the sticks for 5-7 minutes, or until they are crispy and the cheese is melted inside but not oozing out. Serve the mozzarella sticks warm with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
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