Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks: Crispy Without Breadcrumbs

How to Make Mozzarella Sticks in an Air Fryer Without Breadcrumbs

Mozzarella sticks are a beloved snack, but what if you don't have any breadcrumbs? Well, fear not! You can still make delicious, crispy mozzarella sticks in your air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving that perfect, gooey, cheesy treat without the breadcrumbs.

Ingredients and Preparation:

- Start by gathering your ingredients: mozzarella cheese sticks, flour, eggs, and your choice of seasonings. You can cut the cheese sticks in half to create bite-sized portions.

- Prepare a dredging station with separate bowls for flour, beaten eggs, and your choice of seasonings. Mix the seasonings with the flour.

- Coat the mozzarella sticks with flour, ensuring they are completely covered. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip back into the bowl.

- Place the coated cheese sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least 30 minutes to an hour.

- Once frozen, remove the sticks from the freezer and dip them back into the egg mixture, ensuring they are well coated.

- Return the sticks to the freezer for another 30 minutes to an hour.

Cooking Instructions:

- Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F.

- Generously spray the air fryer basket and the mozzarella sticks with cooking spray or oil.

- Place the sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. You may need to cook in batches.

- Air fry for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese starts to bubble and the exterior is golden and crispy.

- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces, such as marinara or ranch.

Tips for Success:

- Ensure your mozzarella sticks are completely frozen before coating and frying. This helps the coating adhere and prevents the cheese from melting out during cooking.

- Don't skip the freezing steps! It may seem tedious, but it's crucial for achieving the perfect texture and preventing cheese leakage.

- Flip the sticks halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and prevent overbaking.

- If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake these in an oven at 400°F for 9-11 minutes.

How to Make Mozzarella Sticks in an Air Fryer Without Breadcrumbs

Choosing the right cheese

• Cheese Type: It is recommended to use low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese. This type of cheese has the right balance of moisture and fat content, ensuring that your sticks have a gooey, melty centre without becoming too soggy. You can use a block of mozzarella or string cheese, depending on your preference.
• Quality: Opt for a high-quality mozzarella cheese, preferably whole milk mozzarella. It will enhance the flavour and provide a better texture for your sticks. Avoid pre-shredded or low-quality cheese, as it may affect the overall taste and melting consistency.
• Freshness: Always check the freshness of the cheese before purchasing. Look for a block of cheese with a smooth, creamy texture and a mild, pleasant scent. Avoid cheese with any signs of mould, drying, or an overly strong odour.
• Quantity: Plan the number of mozzarella sticks you want to make and buy an adequate amount of cheese. A 16-ounce block of mozzarella cheese should yield around 20-24 cheese sticks, depending on the size you cut them.
• Alternatives: While mozzarella is the classic choice, you can experiment with other types of cheese. Cheddar, gouda, or smoked cheddar can be great alternatives, offering a unique flavour and melting profile to your sticks.

Remember, the quality and type of cheese you choose will significantly impact the final result, so take the time to select the right cheese for your air fryer mozzarella sticks.

Freezing the mozzarella sticks

Preparation for Freezing:

Before freezing, the mozzarella sticks need to be coated. Start by beating eggs in a shallow bowl or dish. In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs with seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture for extra flavour.

Next, take each mozzarella stick and dip it into the beaten egg, ensuring it is completely coated. Then, move the stick to the breadcrumb mixture and coat it thoroughly. Repeat this process a second time to create a double coating, or even a triple coating if you want an extra crispy shell.

Freezing the Sticks:

Place the coated mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet or tray lined with wax paper. Make sure they are not touching each other. Put the tray into the freezer for at least 30 minutes to an hour. The sticks need to be frozen solid, so the exact time may vary depending on your freezer.

Once the first coating is frozen, you can repeat the coating process and add a second (or third) layer. Freeze the sticks again for another 30 minutes to an hour.

Storing the Frozen Sticks:

After the final coating is frozen, you can store the mozzarella sticks in an airtight container or a zip-top freezer bag. They can be kept frozen for up to two to six months.

Reheating the Sticks:

When you're ready to enjoy your mozzarella sticks, preheat your air fryer to 360°F to 390°F. Take out the desired number of frozen sticks and place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not stacked or touching. Spray the sticks with cooking spray or oil, and air fry for about 5 to 10 minutes, until they are golden and crispy.

Enjoy your homemade mozzarella sticks!

Using an egg wash

The egg wash is an essential component of making mozzarella sticks in an air fryer. It acts as a binding agent, helping the breadcrumbs or other coatings adhere to the cheese sticks. Here is a detailed guide on using an egg wash when making mozzarella sticks without breadcrumbs.

Preparing the Egg Wash

• Start by cracking open one or more eggs, depending on the quantity of mozzarella sticks you're making, into a shallow bowl or dish.
• Use a fork or a whisk to beat the eggs until they are well blended and uniform in consistency. You can also add a small amount of water to the eggs, as this will help thin out the egg wash and make it easier to coat the cheese sticks evenly. Set the egg wash aside while you prepare the other ingredients.

Dipping the Mozzarella Sticks

• Before coating the mozzarella sticks with the egg wash, it is crucial to freeze the cheese sticks for at least 1-2 hours. This step ensures that the cheese is solid and dry, which is essential for the coatings to adhere properly.
• Once the cheese sticks are frozen, you can begin dipping them in the egg wash. Completely submerge each cheese stick in the egg wash, ensuring that all sides are evenly coated.
• After coating a cheese stick with the egg wash, allow any excess egg to drip back into the bowl. This step helps prevent the egg wash from becoming too thick or clumpy on the cheese stick.

Double-Dipping for Extra Crunch

• For an extra crispy texture, you can double-dip the mozzarella sticks in the egg wash. After coating the cheese sticks with the egg wash for the first time, dip them in a breadcrumb or flour mixture, and then freeze them for another round of coating.
• Repeat the process by dipping the cheese sticks in the egg wash a second time, followed by another coating of breadcrumbs or flour. This double-coating technique ensures an even and thorough coating, resulting in a crunchier texture after air frying.

Freezing the Egg-Washed Sticks

• After you've completed the coating process, place the egg-washed mozzarella sticks in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the cheese is completely frozen before air frying.
• Freezing the egg-washed sticks helps the coatings crisp up during air frying, preventing the cheese from melting out too quickly. It also ensures that the egg wash sets properly, allowing the coatings to adhere securely.

Air Frying the Mozzarella Sticks

• Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 360°F and 400°F.
• Place the frozen, egg-washed mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with enough space between them.
• Air fry the mozzarella sticks for approximately 5 to 8 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the desired level of crispness. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking, as you don't want the cheese to ooze out.
• Once the exterior is golden and crispy, remove the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Tips for Using an Egg Wash

• When preparing the egg wash, you can add a small amount of milk or water to the beaten eggs to thin out the consistency and make it easier to coat the cheese sticks.
• Ensure that your mozzarella sticks are completely frozen before dipping them in the egg wash. This prevents the cheese from becoming too soft and helps the egg wash and coatings adhere better.
• Don't skip the freezing step after dipping the cheese sticks in the egg wash. Freezing the egg-washed sticks is crucial for achieving the desired crispness and preventing the cheese from melting too quickly during air frying.
• If you want an extra crispy texture, you can experiment with different coatings after dipping the cheese sticks in the egg wash. Try using a combination of seasoned breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs, or even crushed crackers or chips for a unique flavour.
• Always preheat your air fryer before placing the mozzarella sticks inside. This ensures that the cheese sticks cook evenly and helps the coatings crisp up properly.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave enough space between each mozzarella stick to allow hot air to circulate, ensuring even cooking and crispness.

By following these steps and tips, you'll be able to create delicious mozzarella sticks in your air fryer, with the egg wash ensuring a crispy exterior and a gooey, cheesy interior.

Seasoning the breadcrumbs

Choosing the Right Breadcrumbs

Before you start seasoning, it's important to select the right type of breadcrumbs. You can use Italian-style breadcrumbs, which are already seasoned, or plain/regular breadcrumbs, which you can season yourself. Panko breadcrumbs are also a great option for a crunchier texture. If you want to make your own breadcrumbs, consider using stale bread and pulsing it in a food processor. This will give you a more authentic texture and flavour.

Herbs and Spices

When it comes to seasoning, dried herbs like parsley, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and Italian seasoning are excellent choices. You can also add some black pepper and salt to taste. If you want a more subtle flavour, stick to just salt and pepper. However, if you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with other spices like paprika, Cajun seasoning, or taco seasoning. Just remember that using too many different spices can make the flavour overwhelming or muddled.

Cheese

Adding some grated parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture can also enhance the flavour and give your mozzarella sticks an extra cheesy kick.

Oil

Don't forget to drizzle some oil onto the breadcrumbs and toss them until they're well coated. This will help the seasonings stick to the breadcrumbs and give them a crispier texture.

Tips for Mixing

When mixing the seasonings with the breadcrumbs, use a whisk or a fork to combine them thoroughly. Also, remember to keep your hands separate during the breading process, with one hand for the egg bowl and the other for the breadcrumbs, to prevent clumpiness.

Freezing

Finally, don't skip the freezing step! Freezing the mozzarella sticks before frying ensures that the cheese doesn't leak out, and the breadcrumbs have time to set and crisp up properly.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for making mozzarella sticks in an air fryer vary depending on the recipe and the number of mozzarella sticks being cooked. However, the general consensus is that the air fryer should be preheated to a temperature between 360°F and 400°F.

For cooking, most recipes recommend a cooking time of 5-7 minutes, or until the mozzarella sticks are golden brown and crispy. Some recipes suggest cooking for up to 10 minutes, but this may vary depending on the air fryer model and the number of sticks being cooked. It is important to keep an eye on the mozzarella sticks during the cooking process, as the cheese can start to melt and ooze out if cooked for too long.

To ensure even cooking, it is recommended to flip the mozzarella sticks halfway through the cooking process. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the air fryer basket is not overcrowded, as this can affect the cooking time and temperature. It may be necessary to cook the mozzarella sticks in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Frequently asked questions