Air Fryer Cheese Sticks: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Mozzarella sticks are a beloved snack for cheese lovers everywhere. But can you cook them in an air fryer? The answer is yes! Air fryer mozzarella sticks are a quick and easy snack that can be made in less than 20 minutes. The outside gets super crispy while the inside remains gooey, cheesy, and perfectly melted. You can make them from scratch or use frozen, store-bought mozzarella sticks. Either way, you'll end up with a delicious snack that's hard to resist.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a critical step in the cooking process. It ensures that your cheese sticks cook evenly and develop a nice, crispy exterior. The ideal temperature for cooking cheese sticks in an air fryer is typically around 360°F to 400°F (183°C to 200°C). If you're cooking mozzarella sticks, aim for 360°F (183°C). For cheddar sticks, 400°F is recommended.

Before preheating, it's important to prepare your cheese sticks properly. Take the store-bought cheese sticks out of their packaging and gently pat them with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial because moisture can cause the cheese to steam instead of fry, resulting in a soggy texture.

Once you've set the temperature on your air fryer, give it a few minutes to preheat. Most sources recommend preheating for about 5 minutes. If your air fryer has a preheat setting, you can use that.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your cheese sticks for cooking. Coat them evenly with oil to create a crispy exterior and prevent the cheese from sticking to the basket. You can also spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to further prevent sticking.

After preheating, it's time to place the cheese sticks in the air fryer basket. Arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Place the cheese sticks in the air fryer

When you're ready to cook your cheese sticks, take them out of the freezer and place them in the air fryer basket. It's important to arrange them in a single layer, so they cook evenly. Don't stack them, and be careful not to overcrowd the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the cheese sticks in batches.

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil, and spray the tops of the cheese sticks too. This will help to crisp them up.

Now you're ready to cook your cheese sticks!

Air fry the cheese sticks

Air frying cheese sticks is a quick and easy way to get your cheese fix. The breading comes out crispy, and the inside is gooey, melty, and stringy. Here is a step-by-step guide to making cheese sticks in an air fryer:

Preparation:

First, prepare your cheese sticks. If you are using frozen, store-bought cheese sticks, simply take them out of the freezer and follow the package instructions for cooking in an air fryer. If you are making your own cheese sticks, coat string cheese in a mixture of flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. You can also add some garlic powder and parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for extra flavour. Make sure the cheese is completely coated, with no cheese visible. Then, freeze the breaded cheese sticks for at least an hour or until the breading is firm.

Air Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to between 360-390ºF. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil, and place the frozen cheese sticks inside in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Air fry the cheese sticks for 4-7 minutes, until they are golden brown and crispy. You will know they are ready when you start to see little bits of cheese oozing out of the breading.

Serving:

Remove the cheese sticks from the air fryer and arrange them on a serving plate. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce, such as marinara sauce, ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or honey mustard. Enjoy!

Reheating:

If you have any leftover cheese sticks, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer. Set your air fryer to 360ºF and cook the cheese sticks for 3-4 minutes, turning them halfway through. Keep a close eye on them, as they may split open if heated for too long.

Remove from the air fryer and serve

Once the cheese sticks are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and arrange them on a serving plate. Be careful, as the cheese will be hot and gooey! The cheese sticks are best served fresh, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.

You can serve the cheese sticks as they are, or with a dipping sauce of your choice. Traditional marinara sauce is a popular choice, but you can also try other sauces like ranch, BBQ, honey mustard, spicy mustard, or French onion dip. If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own dip, like a Homemade Chick-Fil-A Sauce or a Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing.

For a little extra flavor, sprinkle some garlic powder or parmesan cheese over the cheese sticks just before serving. If you're serving them as an appetizer or snack, you can pair them with other air-fried foods like hot pockets, crab rangoons, bagel bites, or pickles.

If you're reheating leftover cheese sticks, set your air fryer to 360 degrees F and cook the cheese sticks for 3-4 minutes, turning them halfway through. Keep a close eye on them, as the cheese may start to melt and split open if they're heated for too long.

Reheat and store

When storing cheese sticks, it's important to let them cool down to room temperature before transferring them to a container or bag. You can store cooked mozzarella sticks in an airtight container or sealable freezer bag in the fridge for up to 5 days. Some sources suggest they will last up to 1-2 weeks.

To reheat, you can use either an oven or an air fryer. If using an oven, preheat it to 425°F and cook for 3 minutes. If using an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F-400°F and cook for 2-3 minutes, turning them halfway through. Keep a close eye on them as they reheat, as they may split open if you heat them for too long.

Frequently asked questions