Air Fryer Mozz Sticks: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making mozzarella sticks in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to create a tasty snack. The air fryer's small and powerful nature means it heats up faster than a conventional oven and cooks quickly, too. It works from the outside in, so it's important to prepare your mozzarella sticks carefully to avoid a mess. The key to success is to double-coat your sticks in egg and breadcrumbs and freeze them before cooking. This extra step ensures your sticks are extra crispy and the coating doesn't slide off.

Choosing the right cheese

Mozzarella sticks are a classic snack food, and for good reason—they're gooey, crispy, and oh-so-delicious. But when it comes to making them at home in your air fryer, the type of cheese you choose can make all the difference. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect cheese for your fried mozzarella sticks:

Type of Cheese

The first step is to choose the right type of cheese. While traditional mozzarella sticks use mozzarella cheese, you can also get creative and experiment with other types of string cheese, such as cheddar, pepper jack, or gouda. These cheeses will melt and stretch in a similar way to mozzarella, and they each bring their own unique flavour to the dish.

Full-Fat vs Low-Fat

Once you've decided on the type of cheese, it's time to consider the fat content. Full-fat mozzarella sticks are the classic choice and will give you that creamy, stretchy texture you know and love. However, if you're looking to reduce your fat intake, you can opt for low-fat mozzarella sticks. Just keep in mind that low-fat cheese tends to have a slightly rubbery texture, so your mozzarella sticks may not be as gooey as you'd like.

Stick Size and Shape

Not all cheese sticks are created equal when it comes to size and shape. For the best results, look for sticks that are uniform in size, as this will ensure even cooking. You can also cut the sticks in half to create two shorter sticks, which can be easier to work with and give you more control over the portion size.

Freshness and Quality

Always choose the freshest, highest-quality cheese you can find. Check the expiration date and inspect the packaging for any signs of damage. Fresh cheese will not only taste better, but it will also melt and stretch more easily, giving you that perfect, gooey texture.

Freezing Your Sticks

Before you bread and fry your cheese sticks, it's important to freeze them. Freezing helps the cheese retain its shape and prevents it from melting too quickly when fried. Place the cheese sticks in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 6 months if you're making a big batch.

In conclusion, choosing the right cheese for your air-fried mozzarella sticks is essential for achieving the perfect texture and flavour. By selecting the right type of cheese, considering the fat content, and paying attention to size, freshness, and freezing techniques, you can ensure your mozzarella sticks turn out crispy on the outside and perfectly gooey on the inside.

Freezing the sticks

Freezing the mozzarella sticks is an important step in the process of making mozz sticks in an air fryer. It ensures that the cheese melts evenly and prevents it from leaking out, resulting in a crispy exterior and a gooey interior. Here is a detailed guide on freezing the sticks:

Preparing the Sticks for Freezing

Before placing the mozzarella sticks in the freezer, they need to be coated. Start by setting up three separate bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and another with breadcrumbs and seasonings. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness. For seasonings, you can use Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like onion powder, Cajun seasoning, or taco seasoning to create your own signature blend.

Now, take each mozzarella stick and coat it with flour, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally, roll it in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure the sticks are completely coated. You can choose to double-coat your mozzarella sticks by repeating the dipping process. This extra step will ensure a crunchier exterior and help prevent the coating from sliding off during frying.

Freezing the Coated Sticks

Place the coated mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet or tray. Line the sheet with wax paper or cover it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Arrange the sticks in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other. Leave enough space between the sticks for proper air circulation during freezing. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze the sticks for at least 30 minutes to an hour. You can also freeze them for a longer period, up to 2 to 6 months, for future use.

Tips for Freezing

• When freezing the sticks, ensure they are completely frozen before air frying. If they are even slightly soggy, the coating may fall off during frying.
• To store the frozen sticks for later use, transfer them to a heavy-duty freezer bag or a zip-top freezer bag once they are completely frozen.
• When you're ready to cook the frozen sticks, preheat your air fryer to 360°F or 390°F, and increase the cooking time to 8-10 minutes for a thorough cook.
• For best results, serve the mozz sticks immediately after cooking, with your favorite dipping sauce like marinara, ranch, BBQ sauce, or buffalo sauce.

By following these steps, you'll be able to enjoy delicious, crispy, and gooey mozzarella sticks made right in your air fryer!

Using non-stick spray

To use non-stick spray, first, ensure that your air fryer basket is lined with foil or parchment paper. This will help to catch any excess spray and make clean-up easier. Then, generously spray the air fryer basket and the mozzarella sticks with a non-stick cooking spray. You can also use olive oil or another type of cooking oil if you prefer. Be sure to get an even coating on all sides of the sticks.

Once the sticks are coated, it's important to place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This will ensure that the hot air can circulate around them properly and promote even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the sticks in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.

After spraying the sticks with non-stick spray, follow the recipe instructions for cooking time and temperature. Keep a close eye on the sticks as they cook, as the cheese can start to leak out if they get too hot. With a little care and attention, you'll have delicious, crispy mozzarella sticks in no time!

Dipping and double-coating

Mozzarella sticks are a delicious snack, but they can be a little messy to make. The key to getting that perfect, crispy coating is to double-coat your cheese sticks. Here's a step-by-step guide to dipping and double-coating your mozzarella sticks for air frying:

Step 1: Dipping

Start by preparing your dredging station. You'll need three wide, shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour. You can also add a little cornstarch and cornmeal to this bowl if you like. In the second bowl, whisk or beat a couple of eggs until they are well blended. You can add a little water to the eggs if needed. The third bowl should contain your breadcrumbs. You can use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs, but for an extra crispy texture, opt for panko breadcrumbs. To the breadcrumbs, add some olive oil or vegetable oil, and toss until the crumbs are well coated. You can also add some grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, or any other seasonings you like.

Now, take your mozzarella sticks and toss them in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, making sure they are completely coated. Finally, roll them in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the crumbs onto the cheese sticks to ensure they are evenly coated.

Step 2: Freezing

Place your coated mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Make sure the sticks are not touching. Pop them into the freezer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. This step is crucial, as it ensures the cheese is frozen before air frying, which will prevent the cheese from melting out during cooking.

Step 3: Double-Coating

Once the first coating is frozen, it's time to double-coat your mozzarella sticks. Remove them from the freezer and dip them back into the egg mixture, followed by the breadcrumb mixture. Again, make sure they are completely coated, paying extra attention to any spots that may have been missed the first time. Place them back on the baking sheet and into the freezer for another 30 minutes to an hour.

Your mozzarella sticks are now ready to be air-fried! But before you do, make sure your air fryer is preheated to 390°F. You can also spritz or spray your mozzarella sticks with a little oil to help them brown. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each stick. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the exterior is golden and crispy.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy mozzarella sticks ready to be devoured. Don't forget to serve them with your favourite dipping sauce, whether it's marinara, ranch, BBQ sauce, or something else entirely. Enjoy!

Reheating and storing

Mozzarella sticks are best served fresh out of the air fryer. However, if you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F (176°C) for two to three minutes, or until the cheese is gooey and the coating is crispy.

You can also freeze uncooked mozzarella sticks for up to six months. When you're ready to cook them, there's no need to thaw them first. Simply place the frozen sticks in the air fryer at 360°F (182°C) and increase the cooking time to eight to ten minutes.

Frequently asked questions