Air Fryer Mozzarella Cheese Sticks Recipe
Everyone I know loves mozzarella cheese sticks! With an air fryer, you can enjoy these cheese sticks with their crispy-crunchy exterior, and the cheese inside is melted to gooey perfection – and no actual frying involved. To give the air fryer mozzarella cheese sticks tons of flavor, I dredge them in mixture of Parmesan, herbs, and spiced bread crumbs to coat them before they’re fried to perfection. I love to dunk them in my semi-homemade Herb Marinara Dipping Sauce which takes these cheese sticks to the next level. Ranch or blue cheese dressing are also great dipping options. Whether you want to whip these cheese sticks up for a game day party, after school snack, for a casual get-together you’re hosting, or just because you love cheese as much as I do, everyone will devour them. Another favorite cheesy snack is this Cheesy Garlic Bread also with a marinara dipping sauce. When it comes to cheese and carbs, more is more, and you may as well make them both! Wondering if you can make this mozzarella cheese sticks recipe without an air fryer? Yes you can. Keep reading to find out how!
Ingredients in Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
To make these easy air fryer cheese sticks, you’ll need the following easy-to-find and very common ingredients including:
Mozzarella Sticks:
Mozzarella string cheese sticks All-purpose flour Corn starch Large eggs Bread crumbs Parmesan cheese Garlic powder Onion powder Dried oregano Dried basil Salt Black pepper
Marinara Dipping Sauce:
Olive oil Garlic cloves Marinara sauce Dried oregano Dried basil Salt Black pepper
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Cook Mozzarella Sticks in an Air Fryer
Making cheese sticks in your air fryer is a cinch. Follow these straightforward steps:
How to Make Marinara Dipping Sauce for Mozzarella Sticks
While marinara sauce is optional for dipping, I highly recommend it and it only takes a few minutes of prep time. Before baking, prepare the sticks the same way with the various dipping bowls, and don’t forget to chill them. Spray them with a bit of cooking spray too for the most golden-colored results and bake them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Doctoring it up this way with herbs adds to much flavor and is so much tastier than just using it straight from the jar – but that works in a pinch, too.
Make-Ahead and Freezer Directions
If you like cheese sticks as much as we do, I suggest that you make a double batch, or you can split a single batch in two.
Tips For the Best Air Fryer Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Italian Seasoning Shortcut: If you don’t have the various spices and seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil), you can also use 3-4 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Paprika is also a nice spice to add if you have some on hand. In the Refrigerator: Extras will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. In the Freezer: This recipe will keep airtight in the freezer for up to 2 months. If you’re planning to freeze them, make sure to read the above section and freeze BEFORE you air fry them, not the other way around. They will turn out just as good as if freshly made by doing it this way. To Reheat: To reheat, I use my microwave for quickness and ease and reheat extra cheese sticks for about 30 seconds on high, or as needed. However, you will LOSE the crispy-crunchy factor. If that’s important, you can reheat them in the oven at 350F or in the air fryer. Bread Crumbs: When coating the string cheese in flour, egg, and the breadcrumb mixtures, make sure to really get a nice even coat especially with the breadcrumbs. This will keep the cheese from exploding in the air fryer and will keep it in the stick shape. If there are a lot of patches then the cheese will ooze out. Chill Time: You MUST chill the cheese sticks for at least 30 minutes. This ensures that when you’re frying them that the cheese won’t be too warm and so that it won’t leak out all over, before the exterior is crisped to perfection. Cooking Spray: When air frying these mozzarella sticks, make sure to spray them with cooking spray all over and not just the top. This will ensure a nice “fry” all over. Air Frying From Frozen: When air frying frozen sticks, you will need to add a little extra cooking time, usually 2-4 minutes.
More Cheesy Appetizer Recipes:
Healthy Baked Mozzarella Cheese Sticks — Comfort food goes skinny so you can still indulge without the bulge! And so fast & easy to make! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Easy Pizza Dip — Cheese lovers and pizza fans will love this fast and easy dip recipe!! It’s the perfect party food that’s a guaranteed hit! 5-Minute Chili Cheese Dip — EASY, ready in 5 minutes, just 3 main ingredients, and made in the microwave!! The CHEESE is irresistible! The perfect game day or easy party appetizer that everyone LOVES! Beefy Queso Dip — Stock up on chips and watch this dip disappear at your next party. It’s easy, ready in 15 minutes, and has so much flavor from ground beef, caramelized onions, taco seasoning, Ro-Tel, a sprinkling of cilantro, and of course the cheese. Jalapeño Popper Dip with Bacon — Same great flavor as bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers, minus the work!! Creamy, CHEESY, loaded with bacon, and topped with CRISPY jalapeños! Fast, EASY, perfect for parties! The BEST Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip — This baked spinach artichoke dip is rich, creamy, and it’s a crowd FAVORITE sure to disappear at parties!! It’s so cheesy thanks to both mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses! It’s just THE BEST!! Baked Spinach, Artichoke, and Mozzarella Dip — The dip is creamy, cheesy, gooey, and everything I want in a baked spinach and artichoke dip. Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip — Creamy, cheesy, and best of all SO EASY! Add the spinach, artichokes, mozzarella, and Parmesan to your slow cooker and let it do all the work! Hot Cheesy Corn Dip — This easy corn dip recipe literally takes five minutes to stir together. It’s great for parties, football, and tailgating! Creamy Baked Double Cheese and Onion Dip (gluten-free) – One of my favorite dips and I used to think I hated onions. Stir it together in one bowl in minutes and bake for cheesy comfort food Baked Triple Cheese and Salsa Tortilla Chip Dip – Loaded with 3 kinds of cheese & baked to browned, bubbly, golden perfection
