Air-Fried Wonton Mozzarella Sticks: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air Fryer Wonton Mozzarella Sticks are a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-make alternative to fried mozzarella sticks. They are a perfect appetizer or snack for both kids and adults. This recipe uses wonton or egg roll wrappers instead of the traditional breadcrumb coating, and the air fryer instead of frying them in oil, making them healthier and crispier. The result is a gooey, melty, and stringy cheese stick that is perfect for dipping in your favourite sauces.

Choosing the right cheese

Mozzarella sticks are a classic snack, and when made in an air fryer, they become a delicious, crispy and gooey treat. The key to achieving this perfect balance of textures and flavours is to choose the right cheese.

Firstly, it is important to use mozzarella string cheese sticks. These are easily available and provide the ideal shape and size for this recipe. You can use either full-fat or low-fat mozzarella, but it is best to avoid non-fat varieties as they may affect the texture of the final product.

When preparing the sticks, ensure that the cheese is intact and not peeled into strips. This will make it easier to wrap and prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during cooking.

Additionally, consider freezing the cheese sticks before wrapping them. This extra step helps the cheese retain its shape and prevents it from melting too fast when frying, ensuring a gooey centre without a soggy exterior.

Finally, while the focus is on mozzarella, you can add some extra flavour by wrapping the cheese sticks with a slice of pepperoni before rolling them in the wonton or egg roll wrapper. This simple addition creates mini wonton pizza sticks that are sure to be a hit!

By choosing the right cheese and following these simple tips, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy, and gooey wonton mozzarella sticks in your air fryer.

Preparing the wonton wrappers

Lay an egg roll wrapper on a cutting board, with one corner pointing toward you (it will look like a diamond shape). Place a mozzarella cheese stick across the centre of the wrapper. Now, roll the bottom corner of the wrapper up and over the cheese stick. Next, fold in the left and right corners, sealing the wrapper with a dab of water. Finish rolling up the wrapper and seal the top corner with another dab of water. Repeat this process with the remaining cheese sticks and wrappers.

To add some extra flavour, you can sprinkle the cheese stick and wrapper with garlic salt before wrapping.

Make sure the wrapper is properly sealed to prevent the cheese from oozing out during cooking. You can also use an egg wash to seal the edges, which may help to prevent any leakage during cooking.

Sealing the wontons

Start by placing a mozzarella cheese stick near the bottom corner of an egg roll wrapper. It's important to keep the remaining wrappers covered with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out. Once you have the cheese stick in place, carefully fold the bottom corner over the cheese.

Now, here comes the first important part of sealing: roll the wrapper up halfway, and then carefully fold the sides toward the center, tucking them over the cheese. This initial seal will help contain the cheese and prevent it from oozing out during cooking.

The next step is to moisten the remaining corner of the wrapper with water. You can simply dip your finger in water and trace the edges, or you can create an egg wash by whisking together an egg with a tablespoon of water. This extra step will ensure a stronger seal.

Finally, roll the remaining wrapper around the mozzarella stick tightly, making sure to seal the corners well. Repeat this process with the remaining wrappers and cheese sticks.

It's important to note that the success of sealing the wontons depends on how well the sides are folded in and how securely the wrapper is sealed. This will ensure that the cheese doesn't leak out excessively during cooking.

Additionally, it's recommended to use cold mozzarella cheese sticks, as room-temperature cheese is more likely to melt and ooze out.

By following these steps, you'll have perfectly sealed wonton mozzarella sticks, ready to be cooked in your air fryer!

Air fryer temperature

The temperature you set your air fryer to is crucial to the success of your wonton mozzarella sticks. Too hot, and you risk a mess of melted cheese and a dirty air fryer; too cool, and you'll be left with a soggy, undercooked snack.

Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. However, if you are cooking your mozzarella sticks from frozen, you may want to reduce the temperature to 360°F and increase the cooking time to ensure the cheese is cooked all the way through.

When cooking, be sure to flip your mozzarella sticks halfway through. Depending on your air fryer, the total cooking time will be between 6 and 11 minutes.

If you are reheating cooked wonton mozzarella sticks, 6 minutes at 350°F should be sufficient to crisp them up again.

Dipping sauces

Mozzarella sticks are often served with a marinara or pizza sauce for dipping. You can make your own marinara sauce using garlic, basil, oregano, and tomato sauce. This sauce is perfect for dipping, as it has a smooth texture and bold, but not overpowering, flavours.

There are plenty of other sauces that you can serve with your wonton mozzarella sticks, including:

• Pesto
• Honey mustard
• BBQ sauce
• Salsa
• Sweet chilli sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Blue cheese dressing
• Hot sauce
• Garlic aioli
• Soy sauce
• Cocktail sauce
• Donair sauce

Frequently asked questions