Air fryer mozzarella sticks are homemade snack that that’s easy to make and won’t leave you feeling guilty! These bad boys are crispy, crunchy, and filled with the gooey-est, stretchiest cheese you’ve ever tasted for the perfect snack or appetizer!
There’s nothing better than a hot ooey, gooey mozzarella stick loaded with molten cheese and dunked into sauce.
While you can get good ones out at your favorite Italian restaurant, decent frozen ones are hard to come by.
And, they are loaded with tons of ingredients like preservatives and extra salt.
But you can make your own homemade mozzarella sticks and with the magic of your air fryer you’ll have a plate of golden mozzarella sticks in no time at all!
Ingredients
To make these you’ll need:
- Mozzarella cheese– You could use a 12 ounce block of mozzarella or you could use mozzarella string cheese sticks.
- Seasoning– Chili flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper
- Breadcrumbs– Panko
- Flour– To dredge the cheese in
- Egg– To help the breadcrumbs stick to the cheese
How to Make Homemade Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer
Maing homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks is easy!
Start by cutting the cheese block into approximately 16 half inch thick sticks.
If you’re using string cheese sticks then just cut them in half.
Mix chili flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper powder with the panko bread crumbs on a wide plate.
Then fill one shallow bowl with the flour and beat the egg into a second shallow bowl.
Work with one piece of cheese at a time and coat it in flour, then dip it in egg, and finally cover it in the panko mixture.
Repeat this with all the mozzarella piece.
Then, arrange the coated mozzarella sticks on a plate and freeze them for at least 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Line the basket with parchment paper.
Place the coated mozzarella sticks in the basket without overcrowding.
Air fry the mozzarella sticks for 5 minutes and then toss and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve warm with marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
Enjoy!
Storing Leftovers
Air fryer mozzarella sticks are best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer.
However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For best results reheat them in the air fryer or the oven until warmed through.
How to Keep Mozzarella Sticks from Bursting in the Air Fryer
Ever fry or air fryer a mozzarella stick to have all the cheesy goodness break free of the breading?
No more!
Freezing these for at least 30 minutes helps prevent that!
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t like even a little heat? Omit the chili flakes.
- Won’t eat all of these in one serving? Only air fry the amount you plan to eat and transfer the remainder to a freezer safe bag once they are frozen. They’ll keep for 3 to 6 months in the freezer.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces. Marinara, alfredo, and pesto are all yummy choices!
Other Air Fryer Appetizers
Homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks are a delicious snack or appetizer anytime.
Make them and enjoy!
Looking for other air fryer appetizers?
Try these:
If you’ve tried these AIR FRYER MOZZARELLA STICKS, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 12 oz Mozzarella cheese block or you can also use mozzarella string cheese sticks
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Cut the Mozzarella cheese block into approximately 16 – ½ inch thick sticks. Or if you’re using string cheese sticks then cut them in half.12 oz Mozzarella cheese block
- Mix chili flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper powder with the panko bread crumbs on a wide plate.1 teaspoon chili flakes, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper powder, 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- Take two shallow bowls; take all-purpose flour in one, and beat the egg in the second bowl.½ cup all-purpose flour
- Working with one stick of mozzarella at a time, coat it in flour, then dip it in egg, and finally coat it in panko mixture making sure all sides are covered and coated well.1 large egg
- Arrange the coated mozzarella sticks on a plate and place them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 180 degrees C / 350 degrees F. Line the basket with parchment paper and arrange the coated mozzarella sticks without overcrowding. Cook for 5 minutes then toss and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve warm with marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
Notes
- Don't like even a little heat? Omit the chili flakes.
- Won't eat all of these in one serving? Only air fry the amount you plan to eat and transfer the remainder to a freezer safe bag once they are frozen. They'll keep for 3 to 6 months in the freezer.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces. Marinara, alfredo, and pesto are all yummy choices!
Nutrition
Oh my word, these look so so good and just what I have been looking for. Love the AF version.
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