Air-Fryer Mozzarella Sticks: Homemade, Crispy, Cheesy Perfection

Making mozzarella sticks in an air fryer is a simple, quick process that yields a crispy, golden, and gooey snack. The key to success is to freeze the mozzarella before frying, and to double-coat the cheese in egg and breadcrumbs. This ensures the cheese doesn't melt out of the coating. The air fryer's small size means it will heat up faster than a conventional oven, and its convection technology cooks food quickly and evenly.

Choosing the right cheese

Mozzarella sticks are a simple, yet delicious snack, but choosing the right cheese is key to achieving the perfect result.

Firstly, it is important to opt for a low-moisture mozzarella cheese. This is because cheese with a higher moisture content will cause more explosions in the fryer, as water and hot oil do not mix well. Therefore, it is best to avoid fresh mozzarella or any cheese that has been stored in water.

When it comes to the type of mozzarella, many recipes recommend using whole milk mozzarella, as it has a better flavour than part-skim mozzarella. It also yields more sticks than a standard package of string cheese. However, string cheese can be used and is a great shortcut as it saves time on cutting the cheese into sticks. If you are using a block of mozzarella, cut the cheese into sticks that are approximately 3 inches long and 3/4 inch wide.

It is also important to ensure that the cheese is cold before you start the breading process. Cheese that is at room temperature will be more fragile and will break apart easily. Therefore, it is best to use cheese that is fresh from the fridge.

Finally, it is worth noting that not all cheese sticks are created equal. Regular, full-fat mozzarella sticks will produce the best results. Low-fat mozzarella sticks can also be used but may result in a slightly rubbery texture.

Freezing the mozzarella sticks

Firstly, it is recommended that you freeze your mozzarella sticks for at least 2 hours, with some sources suggesting 30 minutes as a minimum, and others suggesting up to 1 hour. This is to ensure that they are completely frozen and dry before the next steps. It is important that your mozzarella sticks are not soggy, as this will cause the coating to slide off during the frying process.

Once your mozzarella sticks are frozen, you can begin the coating process. Set up three separate bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and a mixture of breadcrumbs, oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning to the breadcrumbs for extra flavour.

Take your frozen mozzarella sticks and dip them first into the flour, then into the egg, ensuring that they are completely coated. Then, dip them back into the egg and finally into the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure that the cheese is completely covered by the coating.

Place the coated mozzarella sticks onto a baking sheet or tray lined with wax paper and freeze for another 30 minutes to 1 hour. You can also freeze them for up to 2-6 months at this stage if you want to save them for later.

Once they are frozen, you can then air fry them. Preheat your air fryer to between 360-390°F. Spritz or spray the mozzarella sticks with oil or cooking spray and place them into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.

Air fry the mozzarella sticks for 5-7 minutes, or until the coating is golden and crispy, and the cheese is gooey. You may need to flip them halfway through to ensure even cooking.

And that's it! Your homemade mozzarella sticks are now ready to be enjoyed. You can serve them with a variety of dipping sauces, such as marinara sauce, ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or buffalo sauce.

Coating the sticks

To coat the mozzarella sticks, you will need eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. The eggs will act as an adhesive for the breadcrumbs, and the flour will help the eggs stick to the cheese.

Firstly, prepare three separate shallow bowls for the coating process. In one bowl, whisk or beat the eggs with a fork until well blended. In another bowl, add the flour. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with your chosen seasoning. You can use store-bought seasoned breadcrumbs or season plain breadcrumbs yourself. For example, you could add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, or Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs.

Now you are ready to start coating the mozzarella sticks. Begin by tossing the sticks in the flour, making sure they are completely coated. Then, dip the sticks into the egg mixture, letting any excess egg drip back into the bowl. Next, roll the sticks in the seasoned breadcrumbs until they are completely coated. At this stage, you can add the sticks to a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to allow the coating to set.

After the sticks have been in the freezer, you can repeat the coating process for a second time. This will create an extra-crispy, double-layered coating that helps to prevent the cheese from oozing out during cooking. Dip the sticks back into the egg mixture, and then roll them in the breadcrumbs again, ensuring that no cheese is visible.

Finally, place the coated mozzarella sticks back in the freezer for at least another 30 minutes to an hour. This step is crucial, as it allows the coating to firm up and helps to prevent the cheese from melting out during cooking.

Cooking in the air fryer

Now that you have prepared your mozzarella sticks, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360-390°F (183°C or 198°C).
• Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, such as olive oil or non-stick spray. You can also use parchment paper or foil, but this may affect how evenly the sticks cook.
• Place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded and have enough space for the hot air to circulate.
• Air fry the mozzarella sticks for 4-8 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the desired level of crispness. Flip them halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and to prevent the cheese from oozing out.
• Remove the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer when they are golden brown and crispy. Be careful, as the contents will be hot!
• Allow the mozzarella sticks to cool slightly, then serve and enjoy!

Some additional tips for cooking in the air fryer:

• It is important to freeze your mozzarella sticks before air frying to ensure the crumbs crisp up without the cheese melting.
• If you are cooking frozen store-bought mozzarella sticks, you can cook them straight from frozen without thawing first.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, work in batches to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
• For extra flavour, try adding seasonings such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or Cajun seasoning to your breadcrumb mixture.

Dipping sauces

While marinara sauce is the classic choice for dipping your homemade mozzarella sticks, there are plenty of other options to try. Here are some ideas for dipping sauces to serve alongside your air-fried mozzarella sticks:

Marinara Sauce

The classic choice for a reason, marinara sauce is a perfect pairing for mozzarella sticks. You can easily make your own with just five ingredients: olive oil, garlic cloves, basil, oregano, and tomato sauce. Bloom the spices in the olive oil to get the best flavour distribution, then add the tomato sauce and simmer until the flavours have blended.

Ranch Dressing

A popular choice, ranch dressing is a great option if you're looking for something a little different. You can make your own with Greek yoghurt, or buy a store-bought version.

BBQ Sauce

A tangy barbecue sauce can cut through the richness of the cheese. Try a zesty variety for an extra kick.

Pesto

Try a basil pesto for a fresh, herby flavour, or switch it up with a spinach and cashew pesto.

Honey Mustard

Honey mustard is a popular choice for a dipping sauce and will pair well with the mozzarella.

Salsa

A less conventional choice, but the tartness of salsa can complement the rich, fried cheese.

Aioli

A garlic aioli is a great choice for garlic lovers. Mix mayo, olive oil, lemon, and either roasted garlic or garlic powder for a quick, homemade aioli.

There are plenty of other options to try, too, such as hot sauce, cocktail sauce, or even raspberry sauce. Get creative and experiment with different flavours to find your favourite!

Frequently asked questions