Air Fryer Frozen Cheese Sticks: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making frozen cheese sticks in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. It's a great way to get that crispy, crunchy outside and melty, gooey cheese on the inside. The best part is that you don't need to thaw the cheese sticks before putting them in the air fryer – cooking them straight from frozen gives them an even crispier texture. All you need to do is place the frozen cheese sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not touching, and air fry for 5-7 minutes at 360-390°F, flipping them halfway through. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making frozen cheese sticks, as it ensures the appliance is ready to cook your snack at the optimal temperature. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for the best results:

Firstly, check your air fryer model to see if it has a preheat setting. Some modern air fryers have a preheat function, which you can simply turn on. If your air fryer does not have this function, don't worry—you can still preheat it manually.

If you are manually preheating your air fryer, set the temperature to 360°F (183°C). This is the ideal temperature for cooking frozen cheese sticks, as it ensures the outside will be crispy, and the cheese will be gooey without splitting open. Some recipes suggest cooking at 380°F-390°F (193°C-198°C)>, but a lower temperature is generally recommended to achieve the best results.

Once you have set the correct temperature, allow your air fryer to heat up for around 5 minutes. This will ensure the air fryer is hot enough to cook the cheese sticks effectively.

After preheating, you can prepare the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray, or you can use parchment paper or foil. It is important to only add the cooking spray after the air fryer has been preheated, as some sources suggest that cooking spray can damage the air fryer if it is sprayed onto a cold basket.

Now that your air fryer is preheated, you can move on to the next steps of cooking your frozen cheese sticks! Remember to always be cautious when handling hot appliances, and always follow the specific instructions for your air fryer model.

Prepare the basket

To prepare the basket of your air fryer for frozen cheese sticks, you should first preheat the air fryer to 360–390°F (183–198°C).

Next, prepare the basket with a nonstick cooking spray. You can also use parchment paper or foil, but only after the air fryer has been preheated.

When placing the cheese sticks in the basket, make sure they are in a single layer with enough room around them to allow hot air to fully circulate. Do not overcrowd the basket, as this will prevent the cheese sticks from cooking evenly.

Cook the cheese sticks

Now that you've got your frozen cheese sticks and your air fryer, it's time to cook!

First things first: preheat your air fryer. Different air fryers have different preheat settings, so check your model. If you're using a Cosori 5.8qt air fryer, preheat to 390 degrees Fahrenheit or 198 degrees Celsius. If you're using a Ninja Air Fryer or a GoWise Air Fryer, preheat to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're using a different air fryer, preheat to somewhere between 360 and 390 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next, place your frozen cheese sticks in the air fryer basket. Make sure they're in a single layer, with enough room for the hot air to fully circulate around them. Don't stack them or overcrowd the basket, as this will make them cook unevenly. If your air fryer isn't big enough to fit all the cheese sticks in one layer, you'll need to cook them in batches.

Now it's time to air fry! Depending on your air fryer model and the number of cheese sticks, this process will take between five and eight minutes. Flip the cheese sticks halfway through cooking. If you're using a Cosori 5.8qt air fryer, air fry for five to seven minutes. If you're using a Ninja Air Fryer or a GoWise Air Fryer, air fry for five minutes, then flip, then air fry for one to two more minutes. If you like your cheese sticks extra gooey, cook for two to three minutes after flipping. If you're using a different air fryer, air fry for somewhere between five and eight minutes, flipping halfway through.

Once the cheese sticks are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve! Cheese sticks are best enjoyed hot, straight out of the fryer. You can serve them with a dipping sauce, like marinara, ranch, BBQ sauce, or honey mustard.

Flip halfway through

Flipping your cheese sticks halfway through the cooking process is an important step in achieving the perfect crispy and gooey mozzarella sticks. Not only does it ensure even cooking, but it also helps you gauge their doneness. If they are starting to split open or leak cheese at the halfway mark, they are likely to be done.

Flipping your sticks is also a good opportunity to give the air fryer basket a little shake or gently turn the sticks if they are sticking to the basket. This will help ensure they don't stick to the basket and cook evenly.

It is also important to note that the size of your air fryer basket may mean you need to cook your cheese sticks in batches to avoid overcrowding. For example, some baskets can only fit 4-5 cheese sticks, while others can fit up to 12. Cooking in batches will also ensure that hot air can circulate properly around each stick.

Serve with a dip

There are many dips and sauces that you can serve with your frozen cheese sticks. Here are some ideas:

Marinara Sauce

A classic choice for mozzarella sticks, marinara sauce is made with a rich tomato base, enhanced with garlic, herbs, and a touch of sweetness. You can make your own with garlic, basil, oregano, and tomato sauce, or buy it pre-made.

Ranch Dressing

The cool and creamy goodness of ranch dressing, made with herbs and buttermilk, adds a refreshing element to the indulgent snack.

BBQ Sauce

Add a twist to your mozzarella sticks with tangy barbecue sauce. Its smoky flavour and slight sweetness will provide a delightful contrast to the creamy cheese.

Blue Cheese Dip

Pair the creaminess of blue cheese with the cheesy goodness of mozzarella sticks for a unique and indulgent dipping experience.

Honey Mustard Sauce

Strike a perfect balance between sweet and tangy with honey mustard sauce. The combination of smooth honey and zesty mustard creates a harmonious flavour.

Pesto Sauce

Bring a taste of Italy to your mozzarella sticks with zesty pesto sauce. Made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, this vibrant sauce adds a burst of aromatic flavours.

Buffalo Sauce

Fans of buffalo wings will love this tangy and spicy option. Buffalo sauce is made with hot sauce, melted butter, and a touch of vinegar, giving your mozzarella sticks a fiery kick.

Creamy Garlic Sauce

Indulge in the decadence of a creamy garlic sauce. This velvety delight, made with butter, garlic, and cream, provides a rich and savoury experience that pairs flawlessly with mozzarella sticks.

Frequently asked questions