If you're a fan of delicious, cheesy appetizers, then look no further than homemade mozzarella sticks. Create perfectly crispy and gooey air fryer mozzarella sticks without deep frying. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this irresistible snack!

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks on a plate with dipping sauce

Why They Will Be Your Favorite Appetizer

Fast. Ready in under 30 minutes with the help of your air fryer!
Easy. Create a breading, coat mozzarella cheese sticks, and air fry until melty and crispy.
Delicious. Loaded with melted cheese, coated in perfectly crispy Panko bread crumbs, and seasoned with a tasty balance of Italian herbs.

With the help of an air fryer, you can enjoy crispy, homemade mozzarella sticks without deep frying. This easy-to-follow recipe ensures a perfect balance between crispy breading and melted cheese. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your air fryer, and get ready to tantalize your taste buds with these irresistible mozzarella sticks.

Ingredients You'll Need

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
All Purpose Flour
Eggs
Panko Breadcrumbs
Italian Seasoning
Garlic powder
Paprika
Cooking Spray

How To Make Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Prepare the Breading Station. To begin, set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place the all-purpose flour. In the second bowl, beat the eggs until well combined. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of the seasonings.
Prep the Mozzarella Sticks. Unwrap the mozzarella sticks and cut them in half, creating 16 shorter sticks. This step helps the mozzarella sticks fit better in the air fryer and ensures they cook evenly.
Coat the Mozzarella Sticks. Take one mozzarella stick and lightly coat it in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, making sure it's fully coated. Lastly, roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere to the breadcrumbs. Repeat this process with the remaining mozzarella sticks, placing them on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Preheat the Air Fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400F for about 5 minutes. This ensures that the mozzarella sticks cook evenly and become crispy.
Air Fry the Mozzarella Sticks. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated mozzarella sticks in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
Cook and Flip. Place the mozzarella sticks in the preheated air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking or melting. The mozzarella sticks should turn golden brown and the cheese inside should be melted and gooey.
Serve and Enjoy! Once the mozzarella sticks are done, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula. Allow them to cool for a few minutes to avoid burning your mouth. Serve them with your favorite marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or any other dipping sauce of your choice.

Close up image of air fryer mozzarella sticks

Tips And Tricks

Here are some helpful tips and tricks to ensure your air fryer mozzarella sticks turn out perfectly:

Use String Cheese or Mozzarella Sticks. Opt for string cheese or pre-made mozzarella sticks specifically designed for frying. These types of cheese are ideal because they have a higher moisture content, which results in a gooey, melted center when cooked.
Freeze the Mozzarella Sticks. Before air frying, freeze the mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes. Freezing helps the cheese hold its shape during cooking and prevents excessive melting. It also helps the breading adhere better to the cheese.
Preheat the Air Fryer. Always preheat your air fryer before cooking. This ensures that the mozzarella sticks cook evenly and achieve that desirable crispy texture.
Use Panko Breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs provide a light and extra crispy coating compared to regular breadcrumbs. If possible, opt for panko breadcrumbs to achieve a crunchier exterior.

By following these tips and tricks, you'll be well on your way to making deliciously crispy and gooey air fryer mozzarella sticks that everyone will enjoy.

Variations

Here are a few variations of air fryer mozzarella sticks that you can try to add some excitement and variety to your snacks:

Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks- Indulge in a savory treat by wrapping each mozzarella stick with a strip of bacon. Secure the bacon with toothpicks, coat the sticks, and air fry until crispy and delicious. The combination of crispy bacon and melted cheese is irresistible.
Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks- Give your mozzarella sticks a tangy and spicy twist by tossing them in buffalo sauce. After air frying the sticks, coat them in buffalo sauce or serve the sauce on the side for dipping. It's a perfect option for those who enjoy a little heat.
Pepperoni Mozzarella Sticks- Add a twist to the classic mozzarella sticks by wrapping each cheese stick with a slice of pepperoni before coating and air frying. The combination of melted cheese and savory pepperoni adds an extra burst of flavor.

What To Serve With Them

Air fryer mozzarella sticks are a delicious appetizer on their own, but you can enhance the overall experience by serving them with complementary dips and sides. Here are a few ideas for what you can serve with air fryer mozzarella sticks:

Marinara Sauce- A classic choice, marinara sauce pairs perfectly with mozzarella sticks. Its tangy and savory flavor complements the cheesy filling. You can use store-bought marinara sauce or make your own from scratch.
Ranch Dressing- The creamy and tangy flavor of ranch dressing adds a nice contrast to the crispy mozzarella sticks. It's a popular choice for dipping, and you can also consider adding some herbs or spices to the ranch dressing to elevate the flavor.
Garlic Aioli- A homemade garlic aioli or even a store-bought one can be a fantastic accompaniment. The rich and garlicky flavor of the aioli complements the mozzarella sticks and adds a delicious twist to each bite.
Sweet Chili Sauce- If you're looking for a bit of a sweet and spicy flavor, try serving the mozzarella sticks with sweet chili sauce. It provides a unique balance of sweetness, tanginess, and a subtle kick that pairs well with cheesy goodness.

How Long Do They Last?

Air fryer mozzarella sticks are best enjoyed fresh and hot, right after they are cooked. The crispy exterior and gooey cheese filling are at their peak when served immediately. However, if you happen to have any leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator.

Typically, leftover air fryer mozzarella sticks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

Can You Freeze Them?

Yes, you can freeze air fryer mozzarella sticks if you have leftovers or want to make a batch in advance for future use. Freezing them is a great option to extend their shelf life and enjoy them later.

Allow the mozzarella sticks to cool completely after cooking. Once cooled, place the mozzarella sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Make sure they are not touching each other, as this will prevent them from sticking together during freezing.

Place the baking sheet with the mozzarella sticks in the freezer and let them freeze for about 2-3 hours or until they are firm and solid.

Once the mozzarella sticks are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Return the mozzarella sticks to the freezer and store them for up to 2-3 months.

More Amazing Air Fryer Appetizers

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Pin with text overlay

Pin It!

If you love these Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks as much as we do, make sure you share the recipe with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so they can try them too! Don't forget to Pin it so you can make them again soon.