Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Name: Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 82 min
Ingredients: 8 mozzarella sticks; 2 eggs; 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/8 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/8 cup flour; Marinara sauce (for serving)

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Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are filled with gooey, melty cheese and coated with crispy, golden brown breadcrumbs! They’re easy to make in the air fryer and require minimal oil. Serve them up for a fun snack or appetizer!

Once you make homemade mozzarella sticks, you’ll never buy the frozen packages again! And, making them in the air fryer is a game changer!

Close up view of a mozzarella stick being pulled apart to expose the stretchy cheese.

They’re crispier than oven baked mozza sticks and use a lot less oil than deep frying. And you can pair them with these air fryer cheese curds, this air fryer halloumi and air fryer mac and cheese for all the cheesy goodness!

If you’re planning a game day party, you’ll want to add these mozzarella sticks to the menu. They’re also easily prepped in advance and take very little time in the air fryer.

We love to serve them with homemade marinara sauce or ranch dressing!

And, for other crispy air fried finger foods, try these air fryer ravioli, air fryer jalapeno poppers and air fryer tater tots! And you can make these air fryer chicken tenders for a full meal!

Check out the air fryer mozzarella sticks story!

Why this recipe works

The air fryer yields crispy mozzarella sticks with very little oil. And, they taste so much better than store-bought!
If you want to make them a little healthier, you can use whole wheat flour and skimmed milk mozzarella sticks.
Using the air fryer frees up oven space for other appetizer recipes like these crispy baked BBQ chicken wings.
They’re easily made ahead. You can bread the mozza sticks and store them in the freezer until you’re ready to air fry them!

What is an Air Fryer?

The Air Fryer is a healthier alternative to frying foods. It's basically a small, powerful convection oven that sits on your countertop.

It circulates hot air around the food you're cooking, which is what gives it that crisp texture that mimics fried food (without all the grease).

Read more about the health benefits of using an air fryer.

I personally use this Ninja MAX XL Air Fryer because it hold 5.5 quarts, which is more than most. It has worked great so far and we just love how easy it is to use!

Ingredients

For the full list of ingredients and quantities, please see the recipe card below.

You’ll need 8 mozzarella sticks for this recipe. You can buy the packages of string cheese or you can cut a block of mozzarella into sticks. I prefer to use full fat cheese as it melts better, but you can use skimmed milk cheese if you prefer.

As part of the breaded coating, you’ll need ½ cup of Italian breadcrumbs. You can buy Italian breadcrumbs, but you can also make your own since they’re just breadcrumbs mixed with Italian seasonings. Here’s a recipe for Italian breadcrumbs you can try!

Extra seasoning is added to the breadcrumbs including salt, garlic powder, black pepper and smoked paprika. For a smoky flavor, make sure you’re using smoked paprika and not regular paprika.

Step by step instructions

Unwrap the cheese sticks (if necessary) and place them on a plate or baking sheet, with space between them.

Place them in the freezer for 30-60 minutes.

Mix the breadcrumbs, salt, garlic powder, pepper and paprika in a bowl.

Use a fork or whisk to whisk the eggs in a bowl until uniform.

Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil.

Dip the partially frozen cheese sticks in flour, then in the egg, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture to coat.

Place in the air fryer basket and repeat with remaining cheese sticks. Spray lightly with oil.

Breaded mozzarella sticks arranged in a single layer in an air fryer basket.

Cook at 390F degrees for 5-7 minutes, checking regularly after 5 minutes to make sure they don't explode.

Remove and serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

Expert tips

Instead of mozzarella cheese, feel free to use cheddar or marble cheese.
When breading the cheese, use one hand to dip in the flour and egg and use the other to coat the cheese in breadcrumbs. If you use the same hand, your fingers will quickly get clumpy with egg and breadcrumbs.
For a little extra crunch, substitute some of the Italian breadcrumbs for panko crumbs.
Don’t skip the step of freezing the cheese first as this helps the breading stick.
For even cooking, air fry the mozza sticks in a single layer and don’t overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, this may require more than one batch.
Start checking the mozzarella sticks after 5 minutes. Once cheese starts bubbling out, they’re done. If they overcook, cheese will ooze out everywhere.
If the mozza sticks look like they are browning too much on one side, you can flip them over.
Since melted cheese can burn on, if you don't have a non-stick basket, be sure to spray your air fryer basket with oil. Cooking sprays like PAM may damage your air fryer. I use this oil sprayer filled with my favorite oil.
If your air fryer model requires preheating, you should preheat it before adding the mozza sticks.
Different air fryer brands and models will vary slightly, so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.

Side view of mozzarella sticks on a plate with marinara sauce.

Common questions

What’s the best temperature to air fry homemade mozzarella sticks?

For the best results, you’ll want to air fry mozzarella sticks at 390F degrees. At this temperature, the cheese melts just enough inside not to ooze out and the outside breading gets perfectly crispy. If you air fry them at a lower temperature, the cheese will start oozing out before the outside of the mozza sticks are crispy.

How long does it take to air fry mozzarella sticks?

At 390F degrees, it will only take 5-7 minutes for mozza sticks to cook in the air fryer. Check on them after 5 minutes. Once cheese starts bubbling out, the mozza sticks are ready.

Do you need to freeze the cheese first?

Yes, freezing the cheese first helps the breaded coating stick. It also allows time for the coating to get crispy in the air fryer before the cheese starts to melt and ooze out.

Can you use different cheese other than mozzarella?

Yes! While I used full fat mozzarella string cheese, you can also use low fat string cheese, or cheddar or marble string cheese. If you can’t find string cheese, you can also just buy a block of cheese and cut it into sticks.

Are air fried mozzarella sticks healthy?

This recipe uses less oil than deep frying, but they’re still super cheesy, so enjoy them in moderation. If you’d like to make them a little healthier, use whole wheat flour instead of white flour, and substitute skimmed milk cheese for full fat.

Overhead view of air fryer mozzarella sticks on a white plate with marinara sauce.

Storing and reheating leftovers

Leftover mozzarella sticks should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will last for 3-4 days.

To reheat, you can use the oven or air fryer. Just set the temperature to 350F degrees and warm for 3-5 minutes, or until crispy and heated through. (It may take a little longer in the oven).

Make ahead instructions

To make in advance, just store the breaded, uncooked mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the freezer. When ready to cook, transfer them straight to the air fryer. There’s no need to thaw them first. (You may need to add an extra minute or two to the air frying time).

Other air fryer appetizer recipes

Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it turned out!