These easy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are panko breaded mozzarella string cheese cooked to crispy perfection in about five minutes in an air fryer. 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 just as tasty as the deep fried version.
In fact my family and friends like them better. Serve these tasty snacks with a variety of dipping sauces like marinara, ranch, bbq sauce, comeback sauce, or boom boom sauce.
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. Now in a third bowl combine the panko breadcrumbs, Italian spices, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Now dredge the mozzarella sticks in the flour, then dunk in the beaten eggs, 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 air fryer 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 to leak out then remove them from the air fryer as quickly as possible. For best results serve promptly with warm marinara sauce.
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks helpful tips
- For extra crispy mozzarella sticks dunk them one more time in the beaten eggs and then in the panko bread crumb mixture. 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 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 them in advance
Bread the mozzarella sticks and place them on a parchment covered baking sheet with space between them. Then 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 numbers of sticks you would like to air fry. Then 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 that you can remove them quickly if the cheese begins to leak out.
More appetizer recipes you will love!
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Easy Panko breaded Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks cooked up crispy in the air fryer. Just as delicious as deep fried without the mess and added calories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 16 sticks
- Category: appetizer
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 mozzarella string cheese
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian spices
- 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 dunk them one more time in the beaten eggs and then in the panko bread crumb mixture. 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 and reheat in the air fryer at 390 degrees for about 5 minutes.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. See below for freezing tips.
Keywords: how to make mozzarella sticks in air fryer, homemade mozzarella sticks, air fryer cheese sticks
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
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!!
Dannii
This is such a great way to use the air fryer. I will be giving it a try tonight.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks! Enjoy!
Angela
My kids went crazy for these! Truly the best mozzarella sticks and so easy to make!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Angela! So glad that they liked them!
Nic
Seriously so so so yummy and delicious. We had these with a yummy tomato basil pasta and they were the perfect compliment. The only problem is WHY didn’t I find this recipe sooner?! So good.
★★★★★
Caroline
I love how quick and easy these are, and crispy too!
★★★★★
Kristina
So easy and delicious! I made them for Super Bowl and they were gone in minutes!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Kristina! So glad that everyone liked them!
Tavo
Absolutely delicious mozzarella sticks!; thank you for this fantastic recipe! I will make it again!!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks! So glad that you liked it!
Jessica Stroup
These are so much better than the store bought mozzarella sticks! A definite do again!
★★★★★
Caitlin
I love this recipe!! Just as good as restaurant mozzarella sticks but so easy to make at home!
★★★★★
MJ
These turned out so yummy – the kids love them!! Also love your helpful freezing tips so we can always have some on hand.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks! So glad that everyone liked them!
Catalina
This is such a delicious appetizer or a snack! I am glad that it’s healthier made in the air fryer!
★★★★★
Allyson Zea
Been looking for a great recipe for this – thank you!
★★★★★
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes
This is a must-make! My family would be so happy with these mozzarella sticks!! SO YUMMY!
★★★★★
katerina @ diethood.com
These would not last long at our house!! We LOVE mozzarella sticks!! YUM!
★★★★★
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
These Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are on my must-make list!
★★★★★
Laura White
These look so delicious! Mozzarella sticks are my guilty pressure. I have never done them myself, because then I would eat them 24/7. But I’ll have to try the recipe one day.
Krystle
These came out so crunchy. I’m craving them again already.
★★★★★