Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks: Crispy, Cheesy Perfection

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy mozzarella sticks. They are a tasty snack that can be prepared and stored in the freezer. You can make mozzarella sticks in your air fryer that are just as good as the ones you get at a pizza shop. The key is to double-coat the mozzarella sticks in egg and breadcrumbs and freeze them before cooking. This ensures that the coating sticks to the cheese and that the cheese doesn't melt out. You can also add your own seasonings to the breadcrumbs to give the mozzarella sticks extra flavour. The air fryer cooks the frozen mozzarella sticks in just a few minutes, making them crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.

How to Make Crispy Mozzarella Sticks in an Air Fryer

Choosing the right cheese

Type of Cheese:

• Mozzarella: The star of the show is, of course, mozzarella cheese. Look for a block of whole milk mozzarella that you can cut into sticks. This will give you that signature stretchy, gooey texture. Avoid fresh mozzarella as it's too soft and can make the breading soggy.
• String Cheese: If you're short on time, string cheese is a convenient alternative. Look for whole milk or regular mozzarella string cheese for the best flavour and texture.

Quantity:

When it comes to quantity, a 16-ounce block of mozzarella cheese should yield around 20-24 cheese sticks, depending on the size you cut them. If using string cheese, you'll need around 8 sticks for a standard batch.

Storage:

Freezing the cheese sticks before air frying is essential. This step helps the crumbs crisp up without the cheese melting too quickly. Aim for a freezing time of at least 30 minutes to an hour, or even overnight if you're preparing them ahead of time. You can also store the frozen, uncooked cheese sticks in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2-6 months.

Combination:

While mozzarella is the classic choice, you can get creative by combining it with other cheeses for a unique flavour profile. For example, adding a small amount of finely grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture can enhance the savoury notes.

Remember, the key to successful mozzarella sticks is taking the time to freeze them adequately and ensuring they're fully coated before air frying. Enjoy experimenting with different cheeses and creating your ultimate crispy mozzarella sticks!

The importance of freezing

Freezing is an essential step in making crispy mozzarella sticks in an air fryer. Here are the reasons why freezing is crucial:

Freezing Ensures a Crispy Exterior and Gooey Interior:

Mozzarella sticks are known for their signature crispy, crunchy exterior and melty, gooey cheese on the inside. Freezing the mozzarella sticks before air frying helps achieve this desirable texture contrast. By freezing the sticks, the breading or coating has a chance to set and crisp up in the air fryer without the cheese melting out. This results in a satisfyingly crispy exterior and a deliciously gooey interior.

Freezing Helps the Breading Adhere:

Freezing the mozzarella sticks after breading helps the breading or coating adhere to the cheese. This step is crucial to ensure that the breading doesn't slide off or divest itself from the cheese during the air frying process. Double-coating the mozzarella sticks and then freezing them for a second time further enhances the adhesion of the breading, resulting in an extra crispy and crunchy exterior.

Freezing Allows for Even Cooking:

Freezing the mozzarella sticks before air frying helps ensure even cooking. When placed in the air fryer straight from the freezer, the sticks cook more evenly, resulting in a consistent crispy texture on the outside and a gooey, melted cheese centre. Freezing prevents the cheese from melting too quickly or unevenly, reducing the chances of a messy explosion in your air fryer.

Freezing Extends Shelf Life:

Freezing mozzarella sticks is an excellent way to extend their shelf life. You can make a large batch of homemade mozzarella sticks and freeze them for future snacks or appetizers. Properly frozen mozzarella sticks can last in the freezer for up to six months. This makes them a convenient option for last-minute get-togethers or unexpected cravings.

Freezing Saves Time:

Freezing mozzarella sticks saves preparation time when you're ready to enjoy them. You can go straight from the freezer to the air fryer without the need for thawing or defrosting. This makes them a quick and convenient snack or appetizer, perfect for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.

How to coat the cheese sticks

To make crispy mozzarella sticks in an air fryer, you'll need to coat your cheese sticks with a variety of ingredients. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You'll need mozzarella cheese sticks, eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, and any desired seasonings. Some common seasonings used in mozzarella sticks include Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You may also want to prepare two shallow bowls, one for the egg mixture and another for the dry ingredients.

Before coating the cheese sticks, it is recommended to freeze your mozzarella sticks for at least 2 hours but preferably longer. This helps the coating stick better and prevents the cheese from melting too quickly during cooking.

Now, let's begin the coating process:

• Set up your breading station: Place the flour in one shallow bowl and the eggs in another. Beat the eggs until well blended. You can also add some water to the eggs to create an egg wash.
• Dip each mozzarella stick into the flour, ensuring it is lightly coated. Shake off any excess flour.
• Next, dip the floured cheese stick into the egg mixture, making sure it is well coated. Again, shake off any excess egg mixture.
• Prepare your breadcrumb mixture by combining the breadcrumbs with your desired seasonings in a separate shallow bowl. You can also add some oil to the mixture for extra crispness.
• Roll the cheese stick in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing down to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere and form an even coating.
• For an extra crispy coating, you can double-coat your cheese sticks. Simply repeat the process by dipping the stick back into the egg mixture, followed by the breadcrumb mixture again.
• Place the coated cheese sticks on a baking sheet or plate and freeze for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. This helps the coating set and prevents the cheese from melting too quickly during frying.

Your cheese sticks are now coated and ready for the air fryer! Remember to preheat your air fryer and spray the basket with cooking spray before placing the cheese sticks inside. Fry according to your recipe instructions, and enjoy your crispy, golden mozzarella sticks!

Air fryer temperature and timing

Mozzarella sticks are a quick and easy snack to make in your air fryer. The key to getting that crispy texture is to ensure that your cheese sticks are frozen before cooking. The temperature and timing will depend on the brand of your air fryer, the number of cheese sticks you are cooking, and whether you are cooking them straight from frozen or after thawing.

Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F. The higher temperature will help to crisp up the coating, but be careful not to overcook your mozzarella sticks, as the cheese may start to ooze out.

If you are cooking your cheese sticks straight from frozen, you should air fry them for around 5-7 minutes at 390°F. Check them after about 4 minutes to ensure they are not overcooking, and give them a shake or turn them over halfway through to ensure even cooking.

If you are cooking your cheese sticks after they have thawed, you should reduce the temperature of your air fryer to 360°F and increase the cooking time to 8-10 minutes. This will ensure the cheese sticks cook all the way through and become gooey without burning the coating.

Remember, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your air fryer and adjust the temperature and timing accordingly. Always keep a close eye on your mozzarella sticks while they are cooking to avoid overcooking or burning.

Dipping sauces

While marinara sauce is a classic pairing with mozzarella sticks, there are plenty of other dipping sauces to try. Here are some ideas to elevate your air-fried mozzarella sticks:

Marinara Sauce

This classic dipping sauce is a perfect pairing for mozzarella sticks. For a smooth and bold sauce, you can infuse olive oil with garlic, heat spices in olive oil, and add tomato sauce. This simple sauce can be made with just five ingredients and is ready in minutes.

Pesto

Pesto is a tasty and reasonably priced option that can also be frozen. You can either buy a jar of pesto or make your own by blending basil, spinach, and nuts.

Honey Mustard

A sweet and tangy sauce, honey mustard is a popular choice for mozzarella sticks. It adds a nice contrast to the rich, cheesy flavour of the sticks.

Ranch Dressing

A creamy and tangy ranch dressing is another excellent option for dipping your mozzarella sticks. You can make your own by mixing mayonnaise, olive oil, herbs, lemon, and garlic.

Salsa

Salsa is an unexpected but delicious pairing with mozzarella sticks. The tartness of the salsa complements the richness of the cheese.

BBQ Sauce

A tangy BBQ sauce is another great choice for dipping. You can also try a sweeter version, such as honey BBQ sauce.

Other Ideas

There are endless possibilities for dipping sauces, including cocktail sauce, buffalo sauce, garlic aioli, sweet chilli sauce, and even raspberry or blackberry sauce. Get creative and experiment with different flavours to find your favourite!

Frequently asked questions