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

Mozzarella sticks are a beloved snack, but can you cook them in an air fryer? The answer is yes, but it requires some careful attention to detail. Air fryers are small but powerful, heating up faster than a conventional oven and cooking food quickly. They work from the outside in, so if you don't prepare your mozzarella sticks well enough, you might end up with a mess. However, with the right techniques and ingredients, you can achieve that perfect, gooey cheese encased in a crispy breaded coating.

Mozzarella stick preparation

Mozzarella sticks are a beloved snack, and you can easily prepare them in an air fryer. The process is simple and quick, taking less than 20 minutes. Here is a detailed guide on how to make delicious, crispy, and gooey mozzarella sticks in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Mozzarella string cheese
• All-purpose flour
• Eggs
• Seasoned breadcrumbs (Panko)
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation:

• Prepare the batter and coating: In one bowl, mix water, flour, cornstarch, cornmeal, garlic powder, and salt until thick. In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, and parmesan cheese (if desired). Place flour in a third bowl.
• Bread the cheese sticks: Lightly press each mozzarella stick into the flour, dip it in the batter, and then toss it in the breadcrumb mixture until evenly coated.
• Double breading (optional but recommended): Dip the breaded sticks back into the egg mixture and then again into the breadcrumbs for an extra crispy coating. Make sure no cheese is visible.
• Freeze the breaded sticks: Place the breaded cheese sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for at least an hour or until frozen solid. Freezing helps the breading crisp up before the cheese melts.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set the temperature to between 360°F and 400°F. Preheat for about 5 minutes.
• Prepare the air fryer basket: Spray the basket and the frozen mozzarella sticks with cooking spray or olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
• Air fry the mozzarella sticks: Place 4-6 sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed. Air fry for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the desired level of browning and crispness. Keep a close eye on them as they can go from melted to exploded quickly.
• Flip the sticks: After a few minutes, open the air fryer, use tongs to flip the sticks, and continue cooking until golden brown.
• Serve: Remove the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer and serve immediately. They pair well with various dipping sauces, such as marinara sauce, ranch, BBQ sauce, or even hot honey.

Tips:

• You can freeze the prepared mozzarella sticks for up to 3 months before air frying.
• If reheating frozen, pre-prepared mozzarella sticks, set the air fryer to 360°F and cook for 3-4 minutes, turning them halfway through.
• For a thicker crust, consider double breading or using a thicker layer of breadcrumbs.
• Always be cautious when handling the air fryer, as the basket can get extremely hot.

Enjoy your homemade, crispy, and gooey mozzarella sticks!

Air fryer settings

The settings you use for your air fryer mozzarella sticks will depend on whether you are cooking or reheating them, and whether they are fresh or frozen.

If you are cooking fresh, non-frozen mozzarella sticks, you should preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Spray the air fryer basket and the mozzarella sticks with a non-stick cooking spray. Then, air fry the sticks for 6-8 minutes until the exterior is golden and crispy.

If you are cooking frozen mozzarella sticks, you should preheat your air fryer to 360°F (183°C). Place the frozen sticks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space around each stick for the air to circulate. You can spray the sticks with cooking spray, then cook them for 6-8 minutes.

If you are reheating cooked mozzarella sticks, you can set your air fryer to 360°F and cook the sticks for 3-4 minutes, turning them halfway through.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer brand, so you should keep a close eye on your mozzarella sticks to ensure they do not overcook or explode. You may also need to adjust the temperature or cooking time to achieve your desired level of crispiness and gooeyness.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for making mozzarella sticks in an air fryer depend on several factors, including whether the sticks are frozen or fresh, the brand of air fryer, and personal preference for texture.

If you are cooking frozen mozzarella sticks, you do not need to thaw them first. Set your air fryer to 360°F (183°C) and cook the sticks for 3-4 minutes, turning them halfway through. You can also cook them at 390°F for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and some cheese starts to bubble out. If you want to cook them for longer, you can increase the cooking time to 8-10 minutes, which will ensure that the cheese sticks are cooked all the way through and become gooey.

If you are cooking fresh, non-frozen mozzarella sticks, you can cook them at 390°F for 6-8 minutes, or until the exterior is golden and crispy. You can also cook them at 400°F for 5-6 minutes, or until golden brown.

It is important to note that the cooking time may differ depending on the brand of air fryer you are using, so it is recommended to keep a close eye on the mozzarella sticks while they are cooking to ensure they do not overcook or burn. Additionally, some people prefer their mozzarella sticks to have a thicker crust, so they may want to cook them for a shorter amount of time to avoid the cheese exploding out.

Dipping sauces

Mozzarella sticks are a versatile snack that can be paired with a variety of sauces. Here are some sauce options to try:

Marinara Sauce

A classic tomato-based marinara sauce is a popular choice for mozzarella sticks. You can warm the sauce slightly before serving to create a smooth and inviting consistency. This sauce is also a great option if you're looking for a zesty kick.

Ranch Dressing

A creamy ranch dressing is another excellent option for dipping your mozzarella sticks. For a healthier option, you can try making a Greek yogurt ranch dressing.

BBQ Sauce

BBQ sauce, whether traditional or zesty, can add a bold and tangy flavour to your mozzarella sticks. You can also include it in your Chick-Fil-A Sauce.

Spicy Sriracha Mayo

For those who like it hot, a spicy sriracha mayo dip will add a kick to your mozzarella sticks. Simply combine sriracha sauce with mayonnaise, and you've got yourself a flavourful and spicy dip.

Honey Mustard

A sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce is another delightful option for dipping your mozzarella sticks. You can adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding a pinch of sugar.

So, there you have it! These are just a few sauce options to consider when making mozzarella sticks in your air fryer. Don't be afraid to experiment and find the perfect sauce combination for your taste preferences.

Freezing and reheating

Freezing mozzarella sticks is a great way to save some for later. To freeze, coat the sticks as per the recipe, and let them freeze solid after the second coating. Then, transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to three months.

When you're ready to cook a batch of frozen mozzarella sticks, there's no need to thaw them. Simply preheat your air fryer to 360°F, and increase the cook time to 8-10 minutes. This will ensure that the cheese sticks cook all the way through and become gooey. You can also cook them for 4 minutes, flip them over, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until they are crispy golden brown.

If you're reheating already cooked mozzarella sticks, set your air fryer to 360°F and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, turning them halfway through. Keep a close eye on them as they may split open if you heat them for too long. Also, note that cooking at a higher temperature or for too long can cause the cheese to ooze out.

Frequently asked questions