Mozzarella Sticks: Air Fryer Cooking Time Perfection

Mozzarella sticks are a popular snack, perfect for parties, game days, or even a fun afternoon bite. They are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, and can be dunked in your favourite sauce. You can make mozzarella sticks in an air fryer in under 10 minutes. However, the prep time is a bit longer as the mozzarella sticks need to be frozen for at least 2 hours before frying. The cooking time is around 6 minutes in the air fryer, and 8-10 minutes in the oven.

Freezing mozzarella sticks

To freeze mozzarella sticks, first, dip the sticks in a light egg coating, and then cover them in breadcrumbs. You can repeat this process to create a double or triple coating, which will help to ensure the cheese doesn't leak out during frying. Place the coated sticks on a tray in the freezer for at least two hours, or until they are frozen solid. You can then transfer the frozen sticks to a zip-top freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to two or three months.

Mozzarella sticks can be cooked straight from frozen, and this is, in fact, the best way to cook them. They should be cooked at a high temperature, around 360-400°F, for 6-10 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the number of sticks being cooked. It is important to keep an eye on the mozzarella sticks while they are cooking, as they can quickly go from golden and crispy to burnt and melted.

Mozzarella sticks are best served hot and crispy, straight from the air fryer, with a variety of dipping sauces such as marinara, ranch, or nacho cheese sauce.

How to coat mozzarella sticks

To coat mozzarella sticks, you'll need to set up a dredging station with three separate bowls.

The first bowl should contain flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add cornstarch to the flour if you like.

The second bowl should contain whisked eggs, with some water added to thin the mixture.

The third bowl should contain panko breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning. You can also add salt and pepper to the breadcrumbs.

Take one piece of string cheese or mozzarella at a time and dip it into each of the three bowls in the following order: first the flour, then the egg, then back into the egg, and finally into the panko. This is a total of four dippings.

Place the coated mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with wax or parchment paper and freeze for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours before cooking.

For extra crispy mozzarella sticks, you can double-coat them by repeating the dredging process a second time and freezing again before cooking.

Air fryer temperature

Mozzarella sticks are a great snack to cook in an air fryer. The air fryer's small size means it will heat up faster than your oven, and it will cook pretty fast, too.

The best temperature to cook frozen mozzarella sticks in an air fryer is 360°F (183°C). This is a good temperature to ensure the cheese doesn't ooze out of the sticks. If you want to cook them at a higher temperature, 380°F (193°C) is also possible, but you will need to keep a close eye on them as they will cook faster and may split open.

For cooking at 360°F, arrange the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes. Flip them over and cook for another 1-3 minutes, until they are golden brown and crispy.

If cooking at 380°F, arrange the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes. Then, shake or turn the sticks and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese starts to ooze out.

For homemade mozzarella sticks, a temperature of 390°F is recommended. These should be cooked for 5-7 minutes, or until crisp.

It is important to note that all air fryers are different, and some cook at different temperatures. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on your mozzarella sticks while they are cooking and adjust the timing as needed.

Cooking time

The cooking time for mozzarella sticks in an air fryer varies depending on the brand of the air fryer and the type of mozzarella sticks used (homemade or frozen).

For homemade mozzarella sticks, it is recommended to freeze the sticks for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours before air-frying. This helps the coating stick to the cheese and ensures the cheese melts evenly. The cooking time for homemade mozzarella sticks ranges from 5 to 10 minutes at a temperature setting between 360°F and 400°F. It is important to keep an eye on the sticks during cooking, as the cheese can start to ooze out if left for too long.

For frozen mozzarella sticks, the cooking time is slightly shorter, ranging from 4 to 7 minutes at a temperature setting between 360°F and 390°F. Again, it is important to monitor the sticks during cooking to prevent overcooking.

Regardless of the type of mozzarella sticks used, it is recommended to cook them in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Additionally, flipping the sticks halfway through the cooking process can help achieve an even crispness on both sides.

It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the brand and model of the air fryer, so it is advisable to refer to the specific instructions for your air fryer and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Reheating and storing

Mozzarella sticks are best served fresh out of the air fryer, but they can be reheated and stored if needed.

If you have any leftover mozzarella sticks, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two to three days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 350-360°F for two to four minutes, or until the cheese is gooey and the coating is crispy. Keep a close eye on them as they reheat, as the cheese may start to melt and split open if they get too hot.

You can also freeze uncooked, breaded mozzarella sticks for up to six months. When you're ready to cook them, there's no need to thaw them first. Simply place them straight into the air fryer, and cook at 360°F for eight to ten minutes, or at 390°F for five to seven minutes.

Frequently asked questions