Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
on Feb 22, 2019, Updated Sep 11, 2024
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Actually ALL the air fryer cheese sticks — plus all the secrets to great air fryer cheese sticks every time.
Hi there! It’s me, your air fryer! Remember you bought me (or asked for me as a gift, or found me wrapped under the tree) and had all kinds of big plans for us, and then you left me sitting in a box. Well, now it’s time for us to make the magic happen.
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 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 Marinara Sauce to Ranch Dressing.
Table of Contents
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Stick Ingredients
- Air Fryer Cheese Sticks Variations
- Kitchen Smarts
- Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks
- Tips for Making Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer
- Dipping Sauces for Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
- How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Mozzarella (and other cheese) Sticks
- More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Air Fryer Mozzarella Stick Ingredients
- Cheese sticks – Mozzarella sticks are the classic choice, but you can also use 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 will allow the coating to adhere to the cheese sticks.
- Panko or other coating – See below for the various crunchy coating options.
Air Fryer Cheese Sticks 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 egg 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.
Cheese Stick Coatings
If you can crush it and roll a cheese stick in it, it’s fair game. You want it fairly crushed and crushed but not a powder; a little texture is nice.
- 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 cheese 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.
Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks
And, 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.
Tips for Making Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer
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 just at the same time the inside gets super soft and melty.
And, no, you do not have to preheat your air fryer for mozzarella sticks!
Dipping Sauces for Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Once you have your flavor situations picked out for the batter and the 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 marinara sauce (which is always perfect), and salsa.
Homemade Air Fryer Cheese Sticks: All the secrets to great air fryer cheese sticks every time (plus loads of variations!)
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How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Mozzarella (and other cheese) Sticks
Here are the secrets to great air fryer cheese sticks every time:
1. Coat the cheese sticks in flour: Rolling the cheese sticks in flour before dipping them in the egg allows the egg to adhere better.
Two Coatings of Egg and Crumbs
2. Dip the cheese sticks in flour.
3. Roll the cheese sticks in Panko or the coating of your choice.
4. Air fry the cheese sticks.
5. Serve with a dipping sauce if desired.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Lemon Chicken in the Air Fryer
- How to Make Bacon in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Kielbasa
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Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
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 pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup Panko or other crushed coating (such as crushed crackers, pretzels, or chips; see recipe intro for more information)
- Dip 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!
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
I am SO trying those! I was also thinking all of the Dorito flavors….
Can these be done without an air fryer?
yes, you can bake them as well – or deep fry them if you are so inclined!