Crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks served with marinara sauce

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Why Make This Recipe

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are a fun and delicious snack that everyone loves. They are crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and perfect for dipping. Making them in an air fryer is healthier than traditional frying, and you’ll probably enjoy them even more! Plus, they are super easy to make and take very little time.

How to Make Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients:

  • String cheese sticks
  • Flour
  • Eggs
  • Bread crumbs
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Marinara sauce (for dipping)

Directions:

  1. Cut the string cheese into halves or thirds, depending on your desired size.
  2. Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. Dip each cheese stick first in flour, then in the egg, and finally coat it in the bread crumb mixture.
  4. Place the coated cheese sticks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching.
  5. Cook in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
  6. Serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.

How to Serve Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Serve these mozzarella sticks hot and fresh out of the air fryer. Place them on a plate and offer marinara sauce on the side for dipping. They make a great appetizer or snack for parties, game nights, or movie marathons!

How to Store Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

If you have leftovers, let the mozzarella sticks cool completely. Then, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You can reheat them in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes to restore their crispiness.

Tips to Make Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

  1. Make sure the cheese sticks are cold before breading them; this helps them hold their shape during cooking.
  2. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure each stick cooks evenly and gets crispy.
  3. Try adding different spices to the breading mixture for extra flavor!

Variation

You can experiment with different types of cheese, like cheddar or pepper jack, for a unique twist on this recipe.

FAQs

1. Can I use low-fat cheese for mozzarella sticks?
Yes, you can use low-fat string cheese. It may not be as gooey, but it will still taste great!

2. Can I make these mozzarella sticks ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare and bread the mozzarella sticks in advance. Just store them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them.

3. What can I dip mozzarella sticks in besides marinara sauce?
You can try ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, or even barbecue sauce for a tasty alternative!

Crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks served with marinara sauce

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, these air fryer mozzarella sticks are a healthier alternative to traditional frying and make for a delicious snack or appetizer.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180

Ingredients
  

For the Breading
  • 1 cup Flour All-purpose flour
  • 2 large Eggs Beaten
  • 1 cup Bread crumbs Panko bread crumbs recommended for extra crispiness
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder Can be adjusted to taste
For the Mozzarella Sticks
  • 8 sticks String cheese sticks Cut into halves or thirds
For Dipping
  • 1 cup Marinara sauce For serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cut the string cheese into halves or thirds, depending on your desired size.
  2. Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. Dip each cheese stick first in flour, then in the egg, and finally coat it in the bread crumb mixture.
Cooking
  1. Place the coated cheese sticks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching.
  2. Cook in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Serving
  1. Serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.

Nutrition

Serving: 2gCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 8gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 320mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Notes

Make sure the cheese sticks are cold before breading to help them hold their shape during cooking. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket for even cooking. You can experiment with different spices for added flavor.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!