Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks: Tgi Friday's Style

TGI Friday's Mozzarella Sticks are a delicious snack or appetizer that can be made at home in an air fryer. They are made with real mozzarella cheese and are breaded and fried, resulting in a crispy exterior and a melted interior. The air fryer cooking method is not only faster than traditional oven baking but also yields a healthier dish compared to deep frying. In just a few minutes, you can enjoy crispy, golden-brown mozzarella sticks with your favourite dipping sauces.

Characteristics and Values Table for TGI Friday's Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your mozzarella sticks cook evenly and don't stick to the bottom of the basket. If your air fryer has a preheat setting, use that. If not, simply heat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

When preheating your air fryer, it's important to ensure that the air fryer basket is empty. This is because you want the hot air to circulate freely and heat up the entire cooking area. Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, you can carefully remove the hot air fryer basket and begin arranging your mozzarella sticks inside.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the mozzarella sticks in batches. This is to ensure that the air fryer basket is not overcrowded, which can lead to uneven cooking. An overcrowded basket can also cause the mozzarella sticks to stick together and affect their crispy texture.

When preheating your air fryer, it's also a good idea to gather and prepare any side dishes or sauces that you plan to serve with your mozzarella sticks. This will ensure that your meal is ready to be served as soon as the mozzarella sticks are cooked, which is typically only a few minutes.

Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes

To cook TGI Friday's mozzarella sticks in an air fryer, you should preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spread out and not overcrowded. Set the temperature to 400°F and cook for 5 minutes.

If you want your mozzarella sticks to be extra crispy, you can cook them for a further 2 minutes after shaking the air fryer basket. This will give them a total cooking time of 7 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer temperature. A temperature under 400°F will require a longer cooking time, while a higher temperature will reduce the cooking time.

TGI Friday's mozzarella sticks are a delicious snack or appetizer that can be easily made in an air fryer. They are best served hot and fresh, with a crispy exterior and melted mozzarella in the middle.

Shake the basket and cook for 2 more minutes

After the initial 5 minutes of air-frying, it's time to shake the basket and cook the mozzarella sticks for an additional 2 minutes. This step is crucial to achieving the perfect texture and ensuring even cooking. By shaking the basket, you're essentially turning or flipping the sticks, which helps them cook evenly on all sides. It also prevents them from sticking to the air fryer surface and promotes a consistent golden brown colour.

When you shake the basket, be cautious to avoid any hot surfaces and use oven mitts or kitchen tongs if necessary. The air fryer basket may have some hot spots, so it's important to be careful during this step. Gently shake the basket back and forth or in a circular motion to dislodge the sticks from the surface and ensure they're evenly distributed for the remaining cooking time.

The additional 2 minutes of cooking time after shaking the basket is essential to achieving the desired level of crispiness and melting the mozzarella to a gooey perfection. Depending on your air fryer's power and temperature settings, you may need to adjust this timing slightly. If you prefer your mozzarella sticks with a softer, gooier texture, you can reduce the cooking time by a minute or so.

While the extra 2 minutes of cooking time is a general guideline, it's always a good idea to keep a close eye on your mozzarella sticks during this final stage of cooking. Every air fryer is unique, and the cooking time may vary slightly. You want to ensure that your mozzarella sticks are cooked to your desired level of doneness, whether you like them crispy or on the softer side.

Finally, once the additional 2 minutes are up, it's time to plate and serve your delicious TGI Friday's mozzarella sticks! They are best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer, so gather your favourite dipping sauces, such as marinara or garlic aioli, and indulge in the cheesy goodness. These mozzarella sticks make a fantastic appetizer or snack, perfect for any occasion.

Serve with marinara sauce

TGI Friday's Mozzarella Sticks are a delicious snack that can be made in an air fryer. They are best served hot and fresh with a marinara dipping sauce.

To make them in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spread out and not overcrowded. Spray them with extra virgin olive oil for added crispness. Air fry for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the sticks after 4 minutes. For softer, meltier mozzarella sticks, air fry for 3-5 minutes. If you prefer them crispier, air fry for 5-7 minutes.

Once cooked, serve the mozzarella sticks with a side of marinara sauce. You can also serve them with garlic aioli or your favourite dipping sauce. For a more filling meal, pair them with a side salad, steamed or roasted vegetables, and some cheesy breadsticks to enjoy with the extra marinara sauce.

TGI Friday's Mozzarella Sticks cooked in an air fryer are a quick and easy snack or appetiser, perfect for any occasion and enjoyed by all.

Store leftovers in an airtight container

If you have any leftover mozzarella sticks, you can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

To reheat the mozzarella sticks, preheat your air fryer to 360°F and cook for 2-3 minutes. You can also reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes. Microwaving is not recommended as it can make the breading soggy.

Frequently asked questions