Homemade Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

5 from 2 votes

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Actually, ALL the air fryer cheese sticks — plus, learn the secrets to great air fryer cheese sticks every time.

Air Fryer of Mozzarella Cheese Sticks.

Homemade mozzarella sticks are so easy to make in the air fryer! Start with some purchased mozzarella sticks (or choose string cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby cheese sticks). Dip them in flour, then beaten egg, roll in the crunchy coating, place on the air fryer rack, close the lid, and push the button. More specific directions await, but if you thought making air fryer cheese sticks at home was going to be tricky, you are in for a very lovely surprise.

In minutes, the air fryer does its thing, melting the cheese for that gorgeous cheese pull, and the crunchy coating holds the cheese together. And you can pair the cheese sticks with various dipping sauces, from homemade marinara sauce to BBQ sauce to DIY ranch dressing. Perfect for an after-school or game-day snack or served as appetizers.

Long string of cheese from a Mozzarella Cheese being pulled apart.

Homemade Air Fryer Cheese Sticks: All the secrets to great air fryer cheese sticks every time (plus loads of variations!)

Ingredients

  • Cheese sticks – Mozzarella sticks are the classic choice, but you can also use other melty cheese sticks like cheddar, string cheese, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or halloumi.
  • Flour – All-purpose flour is fine, and gluten-free flour is also a good option. The flour helps the egg stick to the cheese.
  • Eggs – The eggs allow the coating to adhere to the cheese sticks.
  • Panko breadcrumbs or other coating – See below for the various crunchy coating options.
Cheese sticks and breading toppings in front of an Air Fryer.

Variations

You can season the beaten egg used to dip cheese sticks in before the coating. You might stick with salt and black pepper. Or try adding the following to the eggs for more flavor:

  • Hot sauce
  • Dijon mustard
  • Buffalo sauce
  • Or skip the egg mixture and play with other somewhat thick liquids, like ranch or Caesar dressing.

Air-Fryer Mozzarella Stick Coatings

If you can crush it and roll a cheese stick in it, it’s fair game. You want the coating fairly crushed but not smashed into a powder; you want some good crunch on the outside. Try:

  • Plain breadcrumbs or Italian breadcrumbs
  • Plain panko bread crumbs
  • Panko with creole seasoning
  • Panko with Italian seasoning herb blend
  • Panko with Old Bay Seasoning
  • Finely crushed crushed saltines
  • Finely crushed pretzels
  • Crushed potato chips
  • Crushed Doritos, Fritos, or Cheetos

Kitchen Smarts

To crush various items for coating mozzarella sticks, you can break them up slightly and then pulse them in a blender or food processor. Or, place the items in a sturdy zipper-top bag and use a rolling pin or a wine bottle to roll and gently pound everything until it reaches the desired consistency.

Woman holding homemade mozzarella sticks over red plate and air fryer.

Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks

You can also make gluten-free mozzarella cheese sticks by simply using gluten-free breadcrumbs, gluten-free Panko, gluten-free pretzels, or another gluten-free coating. Make sure to use gluten-free flour such as Cup-for-Cup, Bob’s Red Mill, or Kind Arthur gluten-free flour. Homemade gluten-free cheese sticks are a real treat for our gluten-free friends.

How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Here are the secrets to great air fryer cheese sticks every time:

  1. Coat the cheese sticks in flour and egg: Roll the mozzarella sticks in flour, then dip them into the beaten egg.
Woman coating a cheese stick in flour and beaten egg.
  1. Add the coating and freeze: Roll the mozzarella sticks in Panko or the coating of your choice. Dip the coated cheese sticks back into the egg bowl, then again dredge the cheese sticks in your breading ingredient. Freeze for 30 minutes.
Woman rolling a cheese stick in a bowl of crushed potato chips.
  1. Air fry: Place the mozzarella sticks in a single layer on the air fryer rack or in the air fryter basket, leaving space between them. Air fry at 400 degrees for about 8 minutes until crunchy and golden brown on the outside.
Placing breaded mozzarella sticks in the air fryer.
  1. Serve: Remove the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer and serve hot with the dipping sauces of your choice.
Dipping air-fried mozzarella stick into miso mayonnaise.

Tips for Perfect Air Fried Mozzarella Sticks

  • Placing the coated cheese sticks in the freezer for 30 minutes allows them to firm up. This ensures they cook more evenly in the fryer. The outside gets crisp and browned just at the same time that the inside gets super soft and melty.
  • And, no, you do not have to preheat your air fryer for mozzarella sticks!

Dipping Sauces for Mozzarella Sticks

Once you have your flavor situations picked out for the batter and coating, match up a great dip. I mixed mayonnaise and a miso gochujang sauce, which was very interesting, and I also used a buttermilk dressing dip, a blue cheese dip (I know — cheese on cheese, crazy-town), classic warm marinara sauce (which is always perfect), Sriracha Mayo, Chipotle Mayo, and salsa.

Woman pulling apart Air Fryer Mozzarella Cheese Stick over red plate.

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5 from 2 votes

How to Make Mozzarella Sticks in an Air Fryer

Actually, ALL the air fryer cheese sticks — plus, learn the secrets to great air fryer cheese sticks every time.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 2 People
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Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 6 cheese sticks (such as mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 cup Panko or other crushed coating (such as crushed crackers, pretzels, or chips; see Notes)
  • Dipping sauce of your choice (to serve; such as marinara sauce or salsa)

Instructions 

  • Unwrap your cheese sticks. Have a plate or small tray or baking sheet at the ready.
  • Place the flour in a shallow bowl. Place the eggs in another shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper. Place the Panko in another shallow bowl.
  • Roll the cheese sticks first in the flour, then the egg, then the Panko, then the egg again, and then the Panko one more time. Use one hand to roll the cheese sticks in the wet ingredients and the other to roll them in the dry so you have less clumpiness and mess (it will still be a bit clumpy or messy, which is the way it goes). As you complete each cheese stick, place it on the waiting plate or tray. When they are all coated, place them in the freezer for 30 minutes.
  • Set up your air fryer with the rack inserted on the level vs. tilted setting (if applicable). Place the cheese sticks on the rack with space in between them. Set the temperature to 400 F if applicable, or press the cheese stick button if not. Cook for about 8 minutes (this is a very inexact number; you really have to watch and keep checking). If you see the ends or any part of the cheese stick start to slump through the rack, pop open that lid and get them out.
  • Serve the cheese sticks hot with the dipping sauces of your choice!

Notes

  • Place the coated cheese sticks in the freezer for 30 minutes so that they firm up. This will allow them to cook more evenly in the fryer, with the outside getting crisp and browned while the inside gets super soft and melty.
  • And, no, you do not have to preheat your air fryer for mozzarella sticks!
Variations
If you can crush it and roll a cheese stick in it, it’s fair game. You want the coating fairly crushed but not smashed into a powder; a little texture is nice. Try some of these:
  • Plain breadcrumbs or Italian breadcrumbs
  • Plain panko bread crumbs
  • Panko with creole seasoning
  • Panko with Italian seasoning herb blend
  • Panko with Old Bay Seasoning
  • Finely crushed crushed saltines
  • Finely crushed pretzels
  • Crushed potato chips
  • Crushed Doritos, Fritos, or Cheetos

Nutrition

Calories: 535.41kcal, Carbohydrates: 48.75g, Protein: 30.74g, Fat: 24.05g, Saturated Fat: 12.29g, Cholesterol: 209.04mg, Sodium: 942.95mg, Potassium: 152.96mg, Fiber: 2.2g, Sugar: 2.11g, Vitamin A: 237.6IU, Calcium: 139.18mg, Iron: 3.67mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Katie Workman

Katie Workman is a cook, a writer, a mother of two, an activist in hunger issues, and an enthusiastic advocate for family meals, which is the inspiration behind her two beloved cookbooks, Dinner Solved! and The Mom 100 Cookbook.

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4 Comments

  1. Becky says:

    Fantastic simple recipe❣ I was going for Flamin Hot Cheetos mozzarella sticks. I added about 1/8c corn starch to the crumbs, which I was hoping eliminated the need for the double dip/breading(at least when using cheetos) and they turned out perfect:)
    Thx

    1. Katie Workman says:

      I am SO trying those! I was also thinking all of the Dorito flavors….

  2. Nancy Maynard says:

    Can these be done without an air fryer?

    1. Katie Workman says:

      yes, you can bake them as well – or deep fry them if you are so inclined!