Homemade Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

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Make your own crispy, gooey, and cheesy air fryer mozzarella sticks at home! You are going to love how easy it is to make homemade mozzarella sticks in your air fryer!

A plate of mozzarella sticks with one cut in half and cheese oozing out.

We turned one of our favorite appetizers and just made it healthier with the air fryer. This recipe is so easy and full of delicious flavor. It makes a great snack or appetizer for your next party!

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If you are looking for directions on how to air fry frozen mozzarella sticks, check out our recipe for Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks. We have also shared recipes for Air Fryer Crab RangoonAir Fryer Apple Chips with Peanut Butter DipAir Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings RecipeAir Fryer Frozen Pot Stickers, and Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan.

Join our Air Fryer Recipe Sharing Group on Facebook!

A grey plate of mozzarella sticks next to a small metal dish of marinara.

Tips for making homemade mozzarella sticks

  • Don’t skip the freezing step! Freezing the cheese sticks before battering them and then chilling them again after coating in batter helps the batter really stick to the cheese sticks.
  • Double up on breading. We bread our mozzarella sticks twice – with 10 minutes of freezer time in between. This really makes a difference with the coating so your cheese stick is completed coated.
  • Cook the cheese sticks right before you are ready to serve them. They taste best fresh out of the air fryer.
Overhead picture of mozzarella sticks and marinara sauce on a small grey plate.

Air fryer mozzarella sticks FAQ

What air fryer was used?

We used a 5.8 quart basket-style air fryer. Any brand of air fryer can be used to make these mozzarella sticks.

Can I use an air fryer oven?

Yes. You can absolutely make these in your air fryer oven. In fact, you might be able to fit all 12 mozzarella sticks in your oven at the same time.

A plate of 6 homemade mozzarella sticks with a metal dish of marinara sauce.

How long do you air fry frozen mozzarella sticks?

We air fryer our mozzarella sticks for 8 minutes without preheating the air fryer. However, all air fryers cook slightly different, so it’s best to keep an eye on your mozzarella sticks, to make sure they don’t overcook.

What goes with mozzarella sticks?

We love serving mozzarella sticks with a variety of appetizers, including Air Fryer RavioliInstant Pot Artichoke DipPulled Pork Nachos, and Easy Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas.

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A grey plate full of mozzarella sticks with one mozzarella stick on top showing the inside with melted cheese coming out.

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Aileen Clark
Make your own crispy, gooey, and cheesy air fryer mozzarella sticks at home! You are going to love how easy it is to make homemade mozzarella sticks in your air fryer!
4.46 from 22 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Additional Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 28 minutes
Course Appetizer Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 205 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 1-ounce mozzarella cheese sticks
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted Italian seasoning mix
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • cooking oil spray

Instructions
 

  • Unwrap the cheesesticks and arrange on a cookie sheet, seperated so they are not touching. Freeze for a minimum of 3 hours.
  • Place three shallow bowls on the counter. Add flour to one bowl, eggs to one bowl, and breadcrumbs to the third bowl.
    Three bowls with flour, breadcrumbs, and eggs, next to a plate of cheese sticks.
  • Add Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to bowl of breadcrumbs. Mix.
    A spoon of seasoning mixing into a bowl of breadcrumbs.
  • Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
  • Roll each frozen mozzarella stick in the flour making sure to thoroughly coat it on all sides.
    A cheese stick inside a bowl of flour.
  • Then dip into the lightly beaten eggs, again making sure it’s completely coated.
    A cheese stick being dipped into beaten eggs.
  • Next dredge in the seasoned breadcrumbs and making sure to fully coat the entire cheese stick.
    Cheese stick being dredged in breadcrumbs.
  • Lay coated mozzarella stick on baking sheet and continue until all of the cheese sticks have been breaded.
    Coated breadcrumbs on a baking sheet.
  • Place the baking sheet of mozzarella sticks in the freezer for 10 minutes, do not discard breading ingredients.
  • Remove chilled mozzarella sticks from the freezer and dip in the remaining beaten eggs, then into the breadcrumbs.
    A breaded cheese stick being dipped into beaten eggs again.
  • Arrange the mozzarella sticks inside the basket of the air fryer. Continue until the mozzarella sticks are in an even layer in the basket. Do not overcrowd, you will need to work in batches.
    Coated cheese sticks inside basket of air fryer.
  • Program the air fryer to 390°F and 8 minutes.
  • Flip the mozzarella sticks over after 5 minutes and cook an additional 2-3 minutes, until golden.
    Mozzarella sticks being flipped with metal tongs.
  • Remove the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer and place on a serving dish.
  • Continue air frying the remaining mozzarella sticks until all have been fried.
    Golden brown mozzarella sticks inside air fryer.
  • Serve with your favorite marinara sauce or any other dipping sauce of choice.
    A grey plate of mozzarella sticks next to a small metal dish of marinara.

Notes

Leftovers can be restored in the refrigerator, up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 2mozzarella sticksCalories: 205kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 8gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 549mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g
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