Tillie Doyle
Mozzarella sticks are a beloved snack, but making them at home can be a messy and lengthy process. Using an air fryer is a healthier, faster, and easier alternative to deep frying or baking in the oven. The Power Air Fryer XL is a great option for making mozzarella sticks, as it can cook them evenly and make them crispier and tastier than the frozen store-bought version. With the right technique, you can have pizza shop-worthy mozzarella sticks in your own kitchen in less than 20 minutes.
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the power fryer to 350°F
Preheating your Power Air Fryer XL is a crucial step in achieving the best results for your mozzarella sticks. By preheating, you ensure that your food cooks evenly, and you also reduce the overall cooking time.
To preheat your Power Air Fryer XL to 350°F, start by plugging the appliance into a power outlet. Next, locate the temperature control dial or digital display and adjust it to the desired temperature of 350°F. The preheating process will take around 3 to 5 minutes. Most Power XL Air Fryer models will notify you once the desired temperature has been reached, either with a beep or a light. If your model does not have a preheat indicator, you can manually check the internal temperature with an oven thermometer.
It is important to remember not to open the air fryer drawer during the preheating process, as this will release the hot air and affect the temperature inside the cooking chamber. Additionally, make sure your air fryer is clean before preheating, as any leftover grease or food particles can disrupt the airflow and impact the cooking process.
Once your Power Air Fryer XL has preheated to 350°F, you can begin cooking your mozzarella sticks, following the recipe of your choice.
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Prep the mozzarella sticks
Preparing mozzarella sticks for cooking in an air fryer requires careful attention to detail. The first step is to coat the mozzarella sticks as per the recipe. You can then freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet for about 10 minutes.
Once the sticks are frozen, transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to cook, set your air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 390°F. Spray the air fryer basket and the mozzarella sticks with a non-stick cooking spray or a light cooking oil.
If you are cooking frozen mozzarella sticks, you can place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each stick. You can cook them for 4-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you are cooking fresh mozzarella sticks, you may need to cook them for slightly less time, about 5 minutes, depending on the size and power of your air fryer.
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Cook for 4-6 minutes
Once you've prepared your mozzarella sticks, it's time to cook them. Set your Power Air Fryer XL to 375°F and let it preheat for around 5 minutes. You can also set the temperature to 360°F if you're cooking from frozen, or 390°F if you're cooking from fresh.
When the fryer is up to temperature, place your mozzarella sticks in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between each one. You can spray them lightly with cooking oil at this point to help them crisp up.
Your mozzarella sticks are ready when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, with the cheese melted inside. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Dip in marinara sauce or ranch dressing
While mozzarella sticks are delicious on their own, they are even better when paired with a dipping sauce. Marinara sauce and ranch dressing are two of the most popular options.
Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce is a classic choice for dipping mozzarella sticks. It is a simple sauce made with just a few ingredients, including tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. To make a basic marinara sauce, start by heating some olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and diced onion to the pan and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent. Then, stir in some tomato paste and cook for a couple of minutes to allow it to caramelize slightly. Add in your crushed tomatoes and their juices, and simmer until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs like basil and oregano to taste.
Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing is another popular choice for dipping mozzarella sticks. It offers a creamy, tangy contrast to the crispy, cheesy sticks. To make a basic ranch dressing, start by combining a cup of mayonnaise, a cup of buttermilk, and a cup of sour cream or Greek yoghurt in a bowl. Mix until smooth. Then, add in your desired herbs and spices, such as chopped chives, dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix until well combined, and thin out with a little milk or water if needed.
Other Dipping Sauce Options
In addition to marinara sauce and ranch dressing, there are several other dipping sauce options that go well with mozzarella sticks. These include alfredo sauce, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, sweet and sour sauce, or a simple tomato sauce.
Tips for the Perfect Mozzarella Sticks
When cooking your mozzarella sticks in the Power Fryer XL, be sure to use a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Additionally, it is important to work quickly and efficiently when breading the cheese sticks, as the heat of the air fryer can cause the cheese to melt and ooze out if not properly coated and frozen.
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Freeze leftovers
If you have leftover mozzarella sticks, you can freeze them for later. It is recommended to freeze them after the crumbing step to prevent cheese leakage and to keep the breading on. However, if you want to freeze the mozzarella before coating and frying, it is best to remove any excess moisture from the cheese by patting it down with a paper towel. Then, wrap the cheese with freezer-safe wrapping as tightly as possible, and for best results, add a layer of foil on top of the initial wrapping. Place the wrapped cheese in a freezer bag and label it with the date and type of cheese.
To freeze leftover coated mozzarella sticks, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring there is space between each stick. Put the baking sheet in the freezer for about 4 hours or 10 minutes. Once frozen, transfer the sticks to a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to three months.
When you are ready to reheat your frozen mozzarella sticks, preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the frozen, pre-cooked mozzarella sticks on a sauce of your choice and add another layer of sauce on top. Sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese over the sauce. Bake the mozzarella sticks in the oven for 35-45 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
Set your Power Fryer XL to 370°F. Place the frozen mozzarella sticks into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between each stick. Spray the sticks with a non-stick cooking spray or a light cooking oil. Cook for 4-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
It takes approximately 5 minutes to cook mozzarella sticks in an air fryer. However, some recipes recommend cooking for up to 10 minutes.
Set the air fryer to 350°F and allow it to preheat for 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray and place the frozen mozzarella sticks inside, ensuring they are not piled up. Cook for 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Place the mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 375°F. Cook for 4-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the cheese is melted and the outside is crispy.
The Philips Air Fryer XL and the Cosori XL are recommended for cooking mozzarella sticks. The Ninja Dual air fryer is also a good option.
