Air Fryer Cheese Sticks: How Crispy Can You Get?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, offering a healthier and quicker way to cook. But can you fry cheese sticks in an air fryer?

The good news is, yes, you can! Mozzarella cheese sticks are a popular choice for air frying, and you can also use other string cheeses like cheddar, pepper jack, or gouda. The process is simple: coat the cheese in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, freeze, and then air fry. You can also experiment with different seasonings, like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

So, if you're looking for a tasty snack or appetizer that's crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, get your air fryer ready and grab some cheese!

How to prepare cheese sticks for frying

Preparing cheese sticks for frying in an air fryer is a simple process, but it does require careful attention to detail. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare cheese sticks for frying:

Ingredients:

• Mozzarella cheese sticks (regular or low-fat)
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs (seasoned and/or Panko)
• Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste
• Flour (optional)
• Oil or cooking spray

Step 1: Prepare the Coating Mixtures

Start by lining a rimmed baking sheet with wax paper. In a wide, shallow bowl, lightly beat the egg. You can also add a tablespoon of water to the egg mixture if desired. In a separate bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. If using both seasoned breadcrumbs and Panko, simply mix them together in the same bowl. You can also add in other seasonings of your choice, such as taco seasoning or Cajun seasoning.

Step 2: Coat the Cheese Sticks

Dip each mozzarella stick into the beaten egg, ensuring it is completely coated. Then, dip the stick into the bowl of breadcrumbs and coat it completely. This step can be a bit messy, but that's okay! Transfer the coated cheese stick to the prepared baking sheet and repeat the process with the remaining sticks.

Step 3: Freeze the Cheese Sticks

Arrange the coated cheese sticks on the baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. Freezing the cheese sticks helps the crumbs crisp up without the cheese melting when fried.

Step 4: Double-Coat the Cheese Sticks (Optional but Recommended)

For extra crunch and to ensure even coating, you can double-coat the cheese sticks. Simply repeat the coating process by dipping the frozen cheese sticks back into the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumbs. Freeze the cheese sticks again for another 30 minutes to an hour.

Step 5: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 360-390°F. Generously spray the air fryer basket and the cheese sticks with oil or cooking spray. This will help the cheese sticks brown and prevent them from sticking to the basket.

Step 6: Air Fry the Cheese Sticks

Place the cheese sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Air fry the cheese sticks for 5-8 minutes, or until the exterior is golden and crispy. Keep a close eye on them, as the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Remove the cheese sticks from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara sauce, BBQ sauce, or ranch. Enjoy!

The best cheese for cheese sticks

Mozzarella is the most popular choice of cheese for making cheese sticks in an air fryer. It is a soft, stretchy, and mild-flavoured cheese that melts easily and has a gooey texture when cooked. You can use either whole milk or low-fat mozzarella cheese sticks, but avoid non-fat mozzarella as it may not melt properly and could affect the texture of the final product.

However, you can also experiment with other types of string cheese such as cheddar, pepper jack, or gouda. These cheeses have different flavours and textures, so they will give your cheese sticks a unique taste and character.

When preparing your cheese sticks, it is important to double-coat them with a layer of egg and breadcrumbs. This will ensure the cheese is fully coated and help create a crunchy exterior. Freeze the cheese sticks before air frying to ensure they cook evenly and the coating doesn't slide off.

Additionally, you can serve your cheese sticks with various dipping sauces such as marinara, ranch, BBQ sauce, or boom boom sauce.

How to prevent cheese sticks from exploding in the fryer

How to Prevent Cheese Sticks from Exploding in the Air Fryer

Making mozzarella sticks in an air fryer can be a bit of a tricky process, but it's not impossible. Here are some tips to prevent cheese sticks from exploding in your air fryer:

Double-coat the cheese sticks

One of the most important steps to prevent cheese sticks from exploding is to double-coat them with a layer of egg and breadcrumbs. This helps to ensure that all parts of the cheese stick are coated, and the extra layer provides extra insurance against the cheese melting and exploding. It's a bit of a fiddly process, but it's worth it to avoid a mess!

Freeze the cheese sticks before air-frying

Freezing the cheese sticks before air-frying helps to ensure that they cook evenly. If the cheese sticks are even slightly soggy, the coating may fall off, and they won't fry evenly. So, make sure they are frozen solid before putting them in the air fryer.

Use a non-stick spray

Using a non-stick spray on the air fryer basket and the cheese sticks themselves can help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. It can also help the cheese sticks to brown nicely.

Work in batches

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket. This will help to ensure that the cheese sticks cook evenly and don't stick together.

Don't stack the cheese sticks

When placing the cheese sticks in the air fryer, make sure they are in a single layer and not touching or stacked on top of each other. This will help prevent them from sticking together and exploding.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the cheese sticks can help ensure that they cook evenly.

Choose the right cheese

Not all cheese sticks are created equal. For the best results, use full-fat mozzarella sticks. Low-fat sticks can have a slightly rubbery texture, and non-fat sticks may not hold up to the air-frying process.

Keep an eye on them

Finally, don't walk away from your air fryer while the cheese sticks are cooking! Keep a close eye on them, as they can go from perfectly cooked to exploded in a matter of seconds. With these tips, you can enjoy delicious, crispy cheese sticks without the mess of exploded cheese in your air fryer!

How to get the cheese sticks crispy

To get your cheese sticks crispy, follow these steps:

Preparation:

First, you will need to prepare your cheese sticks. For this, you will need:

• 8 sticks of mozzarella string cheese
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups of seasoned panko breadcrumbs
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/3 cup of finely grated parmesan cheese

Beat the eggs in a shallow dish and set aside. Place the flour in a large freezer bag or bowl and set aside. Pour the panko breadcrumbs into another shallow dish, drizzle with olive oil, and toss until well coated. Then, add the garlic powder, salt, and parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs and whisk until well combined.

Next, take your mozzarella sticks and toss them in the bag with the flour, shaking until they are completely coated. Working with 2-3 sticks at a time, remove them from the flour mixture and shake off any excess flour. Add the sticks to the egg mixture and roll them around until they are completely coated.

Now, transfer the sticks to the panko mixture. Roll and press the sticks in the breadcrumbs to coat them evenly. Add the breaded cheese sticks back to the egg mixture, turning to coat all sides. Then, roll them again in the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring no cheese is visible.

Place the breaded cheese sticks in a single layer on a sheet pan or in a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Repeat this process until all the sticks are completely double-coated. Move the baking dish or sheet pan to the freezer and freeze the sticks for at least an hour until the breading is firm.

Cooking:

Preheat your air fryer to 390ºF for 5 minutes. Once preheated, spray the fry basket with cooking spray and the tops of your frozen mozzarella sticks. Add 4-6 sticks in a single layer, depending on the size of your fryer's basket. Don't stack the sticks, and work in batches if necessary.

Cook your mozzarella sticks for 5-7 minutes, until they are golden brown and some cheese starts to bubble out. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce!

Tips for Crispy Cheese Sticks:

• Don't overcrowd the basket. Arrange the cheese sticks in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
• Flip the cheese sticks halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and to prevent them from splitting open.
• Freeze the cheese sticks completely before air frying. This will help the coating stay intact and ensure even frying.
• Double-coat your cheese sticks. This will ensure a crispy, crunchy exterior and prevent the coating from sliding off.
• Use non-stick spray on the air fryer basket and the cheese sticks before cooking to help them brown and prevent sticking.
• Choose full-fat or regular mozzarella sticks for the best texture. Low-fat sticks may result in a slightly rubbery texture.

How to reheat cheese sticks

If you have leftover cheese sticks, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer. Here are the steps to reheat cheese sticks to achieve that crispy, gooey texture:

Preparation:

• Ensure your cheese sticks are frozen. Freezing the cheese sticks before air-frying helps keep the cheese from spreading too much while cooking and prevents the breading from sliding off.
• Place the frozen cheese sticks in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to two days before reheating.

Reheating:

• Set your air fryer to 360°F.
• Place the frozen cheese sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap.
• Spray the cheese sticks with a non-stick cooking spray or brush them with olive oil.
• Air fry for 3-5 minutes, turning them halfway through. Keep a close eye on them as they may split open if heated for too long.
• Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions