Few things are more satisfying than biting into a hot mozzarella stick and watching that beautiful stretch of melted cheese appear. The outside is crisp and golden, while the inside stays perfectly gooey and creamy.
These Glorious Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks bring that restaurant-style comfort right into your kitchen. They cook quickly, use very little oil, and come out wonderfully crunchy every time. If you love cheesy appetizers that are simple to make at home, this recipe is about to become a favorite. Let's get cooking.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Crispy outside with perfectly melted cheese inside
- Made easily in the air fryer
- Uses simple ingredients you likely already have
- Perfect appetizer for parties and game nights
- Family friendly and fun to make
- Much lighter than deep-fried versions
Ingredients
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil spray
Optional for serving
- Marinara sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Mozzarella string cheese works perfectly because it is already portioned and melts beautifully.
Panko breadcrumbs add extra crunch to the coating. Combined with regular breadcrumbs, they create a crisp exterior that holds up well in the air fryer.
Italian seasoning breadcrumbs add subtle herbs and flavor without needing many extra spices.
If you prefer a spicier coating, mix a pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika into the breadcrumb mixture.
Instructions
- Cut each mozzarella stick in half to create shorter pieces.
- Place the mozzarella pieces on a tray and freeze them for at least 1 hour. This step prevents the cheese from melting too quickly while cooking.
- Prepare three shallow bowls:
- One with flour
- One with beaten eggs
- One with breadcrumbs, panko, garlic powder, salt, and pepper mixed together
- Roll each frozen mozzarella piece in flour, coating it lightly.
- Dip it into the beaten eggs.
- Roll it in the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
- For extra crispness, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating once more.
- Place the coated sticks back on a tray and freeze for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
- Lightly spray the mozzarella sticks with vegetable oil.
- Arrange them in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between them.
- Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Remove carefully and serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.
Pro Tips for Success
- Freeze the cheese before breading so it keeps its shape while cooking.
- Double coat the sticks for a thicker crispy crust.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
- Spray lightly with oil to help the coating brown beautifully.
- Serve immediately while the cheese is still soft and melty.
I tested several breadcrumb combinations while making this recipe. The mix of regular crumbs and panko gives the most satisfying crunch.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover mozzarella sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for about 4 minutes to restore the crisp coating.
Make Ahead & Freezing
Mozzarella sticks are perfect for freezing.
Prepare and bread the sticks, then freeze them on a tray until firm. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months.
Cook them straight from frozen in the air fryer. Just add 1 to 2 extra minutes to the cooking time.
Tips and Variations
- Spicy version: Add chili flakes to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Parmesan crust: Mix grated Parmesan into the breadcrumbs.
- Herb flavor: Add dried oregano or basil to the coating.
- Pretzel crust: Use crushed pretzels instead of breadcrumbs.
- Mini bites: Cut cheese into smaller pieces for bite sized snacks.
FAQs
Freezing the cheese keeps it from melting too quickly before the coating crisps.
Yes. Bake them at 425°F for about 8 to 10 minutes until golden.
Marinara sauce is classic, but ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or spicy ketchup are also delicious.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 12 sticks 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Glorious air fryer mozzarella sticks made crispy and golden in just 6 minutes. These cheesy, crunchy bites are perfect for a quick snack or appetizer and taste amazing served with marinara sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 oz mozzarella string cheese, cut into halves
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Place the mozzarella stick halves in the freezer for at least 1 hour
- Prepare three shallow dishes: add flour to the first, beaten eggs to the second, and mix panko breadcrumbs with salt and pepper in the third
- Coat each mozzarella stick in flour
- Dip the floured stick into the beaten eggs
- Press the stick into the panko breadcrumb mixture until fully coated
- Place the coated mozzarella sticks in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C)
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray
- Arrange mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the basket without touching
- Air fry for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy
- Serve immediately with marinara sauce
Notes
For extra crispiness double-coat the mozzarella sticks by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps. Make sure the cheese sticks are fully frozen before cooking to prevent melting. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for even crisping.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these glorious mozzarella sticks hot with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping. They are wonderful for game nights, family movie evenings, or casual gatherings.
Pair them with other comforting appetizers for a fun snack spread. If you love cheesy snacks, you may also enjoy my Loaded Fries with Ground Beef and Cheddar recipe.
Nutrition & Notes
- Calories: approximately 280 per serving
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Freeze time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook time: 8 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 53 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Category: Appetizer
Author: Lily, Let's Fly Tasty
I made this recipe several times while testing air fryer temperatures to get the perfect golden crust without losing that gooey cheese center. When you break one open and see that beautiful cheese pull, it is pure snack time joy.
Reader Reviews
"Crispy outside and perfectly cheesy inside. These were better than restaurant mozzarella sticks."
"So easy in the air fryer and the coating stayed crunchy."
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