Air Fryer Power Xl: Frozen Mozzarella Sticks

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook frozen mozzarella sticks. They can be cooked straight from frozen, and the process is simple: place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer, and cook for around 5-7 minutes at 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit. The result is a crispy, crunchy outside and a melted, gooey inside – perfect for dipping in your favourite sauce.

How to cook frozen mozzarella sticks in a Power XL air fryer

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer

Set your Power XL air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (183 degrees Celsius). You can also preheat to 390 degrees Fahrenheit (198 degrees Celsius) if you prefer a crispier finish.

Step 2: Prepare the air fryer basket

Spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray, or line with parchment paper or foil.

Step 3: Place the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer

Arrange the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is enough space between each stick for the hot air to circulate.

Step 4: Air fry the mozzarella sticks

Air fry the mozzarella sticks for 4-7 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, or 5-7 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping them halfway through. If cooking at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, you can increase the cooking time to up to 8 minutes if you prefer a crispier finish.

Step 5: Remove the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer

Use caution when removing the sticks from the air fryer as they will be very hot. Allow them to cool for a minute or two before serving.

Step 6: Serve with your favorite dipping sauce

Mozzarella sticks are often served with a side of marinara sauce, but you can also try ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, blue cheese dip, or any other sauce you like.

Tips:

• You can cook frozen mozzarella sticks straight from the freezer. There is no need to defrost or thaw them first.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce the cooking time for the second batch.
• If you are cooking a large quantity of mozzarella sticks, you may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• If you are cooking homemade mozzarella sticks, you may need to adjust the cooking time.

Tips for the best frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer

Frozen mozzarella sticks are a great snack, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crispy, crunchy outside and melty cheese inside. Here are some tips to help you get the best results:

Don't Thaw the Mozzarella Sticks

There's no need to thaw frozen mozzarella sticks before air frying. In fact, it's better to cook them straight from frozen as it gives them a crispier outside coating.

Cook in a Single Layer

Don't stack the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket or tray. Crowding them will cause uneven cooking, so it's best to cook them in smaller batches if necessary. Make sure there's enough space for the hot air to circulate around each stick.

No Oil Spray Needed

There's no need to add any oil spray to the mozzarella sticks before cooking. There's already enough oil in the crust, so you don't need to add any extra.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheating your air fryer will help ensure the mozzarella sticks cook evenly, giving you a crispy outside and gooey cheese inside.

Choose the Right Temperature and Cooking Time

The ideal temperature for cooking frozen mozzarella sticks in an air fryer is around 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will vary depending on the brand of air fryer and the number of sticks you're cooking, but it usually takes around 4-7 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as you don't want the cheese to start oozing out.

Choose Your Favourite Dipping Sauce

Mozzarella sticks are great with a variety of dipping sauces. Marinara sauce is a classic choice, but you could also try ranch, BBQ sauce, honey sriracha sauce, or blue cheese dressing. Get creative and choose your favourite!

How to store and reheat frozen mozzarella sticks

Mozzarella sticks are a great snack to have on hand, and they're even better when you can easily reheat them to that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside texture. Here's a guide on how to store and reheat your frozen mozzarella sticks to perfection.

Storing Frozen Mozzarella Sticks

If you've made a big batch of mozzarella sticks and want to store them for later, it's important to do it right to maintain their quality. Here are the steps to follow:

• Place the mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other.
• Put the baking sheet in the freezer for about 4 hours or until the sticks are completely frozen.
• Transfer the frozen sticks into an airtight container or a freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, consider flash freezing to prevent the sticks from sticking together.
• Store in the freezer for up to six months.

Reheating Frozen Mozzarella Sticks

Now for the fun part—reheating those frozen mozzarella sticks to get that delicious, crispy texture and melted cheese! There are several methods you can use, each with its own advantages:

• Air fryer: This is a quick and easy method that delivers excellent results. Preheat your air fryer to 360-390°F (180-190°C). Place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't touch. No oil spray is needed. Air fry for 5-8 minutes, shaking or turning them halfway through, until the cheese is melted and the coating is crispy.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) for refrigerated mozzarella sticks or 425°F (220°C) for frozen ones. Place the sticks on a wire rack or a preheated oven tray, and bake for 5-10 minutes for refrigerated sticks or 10-20 minutes for frozen. Turning them halfway through will ensure even cooking.
• Skillet: For a crispy coating, heat a skillet on medium-high heat and add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the mozzarella sticks and fry for 4-5 minutes, turning frequently. Place the fried sticks on a paper towel to absorb excess oil before serving.
• Microwave: While this method is not ideal, it can be done in a pinch. Place the mozzarella sticks on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 15-second intervals until the cheese is melted. Microwaved mozzarella sticks tend to be soggy, but you can add some crispiness back by heating them under a broiler for a few minutes.
• Deep fryer: This method will give you extra crispy sticks, but it requires more effort and can be messy. Heat oil in a deep fryer or pan to 350-375°F (175-190°C). Fry the sticks for 30-45 seconds for refrigerated sticks or up to 2 minutes for frozen. If shallow frying, flip the sticks halfway through. Blot excess oil with a paper towel before serving.

Remember, when reheating mozzarella sticks, it's important to not overcrowd the cooking vessel to ensure even cooking. Additionally, always allow the sticks to cool slightly before serving to avoid burning your mouth on the hot cheese!

How to make homemade mozzarella sticks

Ingredients:

• Mozzarella cheese (block or string)
• Panko
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Flour
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Marinara sauce (for dipping)

Method:

• Prepare three bowls for dredging: one with flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder; the second with whisked eggs; and the third with panko and Italian seasoning.
• Cut the mozzarella block into sticks (skip this step if using string cheese).
• Dip each cheese stick first into the flour, then the eggs, and finally the panko mixture. Ensure each stick is fully coated.
• Place the coated sticks on a wire rack over a baking sheet and freeze for at least an hour.
• Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan to 350°F (175°C).
• Fry the mozzarella sticks in batches of two until golden brown, ensuring the oil returns to temperature between batches.
• Serve warm with marinara sauce.

Tips:

• For extra crispy cheese sticks, use a rolling pin to crush the panko before adding the seasonings.
• If you don't have Italian seasoning, you can make your own blend of basil, marjoram, and oregano.
• If you don't have a deep fryer, a large saucepan will work just fine.
• Don't skip the freezing step! It helps the coating solidify and get sturdy before frying.
• If you're not frying right away, transfer the frozen sticks to a sealed container and store them in the freezer.

Other air fryer recipes

There are many other recipes you can try in your air fryer apart from mozzarella sticks. Here are some ideas for main dishes, sides, appetizers, and snacks:

Main Dishes

• Chicken strips
• Salmon
• Southern-style chicken
• Nashville hot chicken
• Steak
• Fish and chips
• Chicken legs
• Pork chops
• Grilled cheese
• Hamburgers
• Tofu nuggets
• Cornish hen

Sides

• Sweet potato fries
• Roasted green beans
• Red potatoes
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Avocado fries
• Eggplant fries
• Sweet potato
• French fries
• Potato wedges
• Butternut squash
• Asparagus
• Potato chips
• Okra
• Carrots
• Garlic bread
• Baked potatoes
• Corn on the cob
• Zucchini fries

Appetizers and Snacks

• Chicken wings
• Onion rings
• Chicken tenders
• Tater tots
• Blooming onion
• Jalapeño poppers
• Mini calzones
• Tortilla chips
• Buffalo cauliflower
• Stuffing hushpuppies
• Egg rolls
• Zucchini chips
• Pumpkin seeds
• Falafel

And if you're craving something sweet, you can even make desserts in your air fryer! Here are some ideas:

• Chocolate chip cookies
• Cinnamon rolls
• Donuts
• Honey toast
• Churro bites
• Apple cider donuts
• Fried Oreos
• Apple chips
• Beignets

Frequently asked questions