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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Addi
Could I use Progresso Italian Bread Crumbs instead of Panko?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can.