• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Feels Like Home™ logo

  • Shop
    • Christianity Downloads
    • Family Downloads
    • Food & Cooking Downloads
    • Hobbies & Crafts Downloads
    • Learning Downloads
  • Blog
  • Family
    • Parenting
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Marriage
    • Kids activities
      • Kids Crafts
      • Christmas Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers
      • Christmas Crafts for Kids
      • Christmas Crafts for Tweens & Teens
    • Learning
      • Reading & Writing
      • STEM
  • Faith
    • Bible Study
    • Encouragement
  • Recipes
    • Comfort Food
    • Eating after Bariatric Surgery
    • Gluten-Free
    • Recipes for Foodie Kids
    • Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals
  • Health
    • Mental Health
      • Hobbies & Crafts
      • Self-Care
    • Physical Health
      • Bariatric Surgery
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • SHOP
  • RECIPES
  • FAMILY
  • FAITH
  • HEALTH
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    See More:   Appetizers Comfort Food Copycat Recipes Raising Foodie Kids Recipes for Beginners Snacks Vegetarian

    Last Modified: Aug 9, 2022 by Tara Ziegmont Leave a Comment

    The Best Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

    118FacebookMessenger8PinterestTwitterWhatsAppEmail
    126
    SHARES
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This super easy homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks recipe is the best appetizer or tailgating recipe! Crispy, gooey, and delicious, they are a make ahead recipe to store in the freezer then quickly cook in the air fryer. Coated in crunchy panko, egg wash, and herbs, this hot finger food is a hit with adults and kids alike and healthier than traditional mozzarella cheese sticks. Perfect for New Year's Eve, Super Bowl game day, or any occasion!

    A plate of homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks with marinara saucePin

    One of my favorite restaurant appetizers is the mozzarella stick. I like to dip them in marinara sauce or really good ranch dressing (try it!) or even remoulade or garlic aioli. They're good with pretty much any sauce on earth. I could make a whole meal out of them.

    Why you're going to love these air fryer cheese sticks

    The best mozzarella sticks have a crispy coating on the outside (though not a crunchy batter covered surface) and are gooey and melty and stretchy on the inside. These air fried mozzarella sticks fit both perfectly.

    I especially love this recipe because it uses simple pantry ingredients to make an appetizer that is worthy of any party spread.

    Plus, they can be made ahead and stored in the freezer for a quick snack anytime of the day or night. They only take a few minutes to cook in the air fryer, so you can enjoy some yummy mozzarella sticks almost instantly!

    What you will need to make homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks

    Equipment

    • Air fryer
    • Parchment paper
    • Baking sheet

    Ingredients

    air fryer cheese stick ingredients
    • Mozzarella string cheese sticks - I suppose you could use cheddar cheese sticks or those swirly ones, but I prefer mozzarella. There are lots of different kinds of mozzarella sticks in the dairy case, but I prefer the whole milk kind for this recipe.
    • All purpose flour - You need flour to coat the cheese and help the egg to stick during the dredging process.
    • Egg - You need the beaten egg to make the bread crumbs stick during the dredging process.
    • Italian bread crumbs - These give the cheese sticks a nice flavor. If you don't have Italian bread crumbs, you could use plain breadcrumbs and add ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or ranch dressing powder. For a lighter and crispier breading, replace this with panko and add the seasoning to the mixture.
    • Panko bread crumbs - Panko is a special kind of Japanese white bread that is made without a crust, and it can't be made in a home kitchen. Panko breadcrumbs are light and flaky and are often used for breading foods to be fried because it makes the crust crispy and light. Panko bread crumbs have virtually no flavor and absorb the flavor of the food they're applied to. Also, because it's made from flakes and not actual crumbs, panko bread crumbs don't form clumps like traditional breadcrumbs.
    • Garlic powder - This gives the breading a nice flavor.
    • Onion powder - This also gives the breading a nice flavor.
    • Salt - The breading will taste flat without a bit of salt. You can also add a dash of pepper if you want.
    • Sauce for dipping - I like marinara or pizza sauce, ranch dressing, remoulade, garlic aioli, or honey sriracha mayo.

    How to cook air fryer mozzarella sticks

    To prepare the cheese sticks

    1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    2. Remove cheese from the wrappers and cut each one in half to create two shorter sticks.
      string cheese sticks on a platePin
    3. Create a dredging station with three shallow containers. Place the flour in the first container. In the second container, whisk the egg until frothy. In the third container, stir together the Italian breadcrumbs, panko, and seasonings. (See dredging note below.)
      set up dredging stationPin
    4. Roll each stick in the flour, then in the egg, then in the breadcrumb mixture. If you like a thicker crust, you can dredge each cheese stick once or twice more. I prefer a thinner crust, so I only do one layer.
      dredge the cheese sticksPin
    5. Place the breaded stick on the prepared baking sheet.
      cut the mozzarella cheese sticks in halfPin
    6. Freeze the breaded cheese sticks until completely frozen, at least two hours but preferably overnight.

    To cook the cheese sticks

    1. Preheat your air fryer to 370ºF. Spritz the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.
    2. Place the frozen cheese sticks in the basket in a single layer, making sure that none of them are touching. Spritz the cheese sticks with cooking spray.
      air fried cheese sticks on a baking sheetPin
    3. Air fry cheese sticks for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the wattage of your air fryer, until they are golden on the outside but not so long that the cheese bubbles through the crust. Repeat the cooking process in batches as needed, according to the size of your air fryer basket.
      air fried cheese sticksPin
    4. Serve with marinara or pizza sauce.

    Tips for creating a dredging station to bread your cheese sticks

    How to bread the cheese sticks:

    1. Make a dredging station by putting the flour in a shallow bowl, the whisked eggs in a small bowl, big enough to submerge the cheese but not so big that the egg spreads out, and the breading mixture in a larger dish, preferably with a flat bottom. If you're right handed, you'll want the cheese on the far left, then the flour next, then the egg in the middle, and the bread crumbs mixture on the right. If you're left handed, do the opposite.
    2. When you are breading food, you will want to have a wet hand and a dry hand. In other words, you will take the cheese out of the flour and dip it into the egg with one hand, then remove it from the egg and drop it into the flour mixture with that same wet hand. Then, use your dry hand to coat the cheese with the bread crumb mixture, trying to avoid getting egg on the dry hand. Remove the breaded cheese and put it on the baking sheet with your dry hand. If your dry hand gets goopy, wash your hands and dry them very well. I hope that makes sense. It's an easy process, but if you get both wet and dry on the same hand, you'll end up with a big clumpy mess.
    3. If you like a thicker crust, you can dredge each cheese stick two or three times each. I prefer a thinner crust, so I only do one layer.

    Tips for the best air fryer cheese sticks

    Use full fat mozzarella cheese sticks. The low fat ones don't work very well, and fat free cheese is an abomination that you should stay far away from.

    Make sure the cheese is frozen solid. It should be completely hard and dry when you put it into the air fryer.

    Make sure you put frozen cheese sticks into the air fryer and cook them without thawing. When they are cooked from frozen, the breading will be crispier and the cheese won't ooze out. If you cook room temperature cheese, it will melt too much and make a huge mess in your air fryer.

    Don't skip the cooking spray. This helps the breading to brown and also prevents the cheese sticks from sticking to the air fryer basket.

    Be sure to preheat your air fryer.

    Cook the cheese sticks in batches, and make sure there is plenty of space in between them in the air fryer basket. They should be in a single layer.

    Variations

    You can use any flavor of cheese including cheddar, Colby jack, or pepper jack.

    Add ¼ teaspoon of sweet paprika, smoked paprika, or chili powder to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicy kick.

    Add ¼ grated Parmesan cheese to the bread crumbs.

    Use all panko and skip the Italian breadcrumbs. Add ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning to the panko with the garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.

    Use all panko and add ½ teaspoon of one of the following:

    • Taco Seasoning
    • Fajita Seasoning
    • Cajun Seasoning
    • Sweet & Spicy BBQ Seasoning
    • Ranch Dressing Mix

    How to cook homemade cheese sticks in the oven

    If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake these homemade cheese sticks in the oven.

    Preheat the oven to 400ºF and bake the breaded and frozen mozzarella sticks for 20 minutes, then flip and bake for 5 minutes more.

    The outsides won't be as crispy as they will in the air fryer, but they will still be good.

    Storing and reheating air fried mozzarella sticks

    You can store the breaded mozzarella sticks in the freezer for up to 6 months before cooking. Keep them in the freezer on the parchment-lined baking sheet until they are frozen solid, and then transfer to a zippered freezer bag or other airtight container.

    To cook frozen cheese sticks, follow the directions in the recipe.

    If you have already cooked leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. When it's time to reheat them, put them back in the air fryer for 1-3 minutes or until hot and gooey again.

    More air fryer recipes

    I just got my air fryer, so I haven't had the chance to make many new recipes for it. Here's what I've got:

    • The Best Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
    • Homemade Air Fryer Potato Chips

    More delicious appetizers

    • Mild Frank's RedHot Buffalo Chicken Dip
    • Frank's RedHot Buffalo Chicken Dip in the Instant Pot
    • Touchdown Taco Dip
    • Quick & Easy Pizza Dip
    • Cold Shrimp Avocado Cucumber Bites
    • Classic Cheddar Cheese Sausage Balls
    A plate of homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce

    The Best Easy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

    This super easy homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks recipe is the best appetizer or tailgating recipe! Crispy, gooey, and delicious, they are a make ahead recipe to store in the freezer then quickly cook in the air fryer. Coated in crunchy panko, egg wash, and herbs, this hot finger food is always a hit and healthier than traditional mozzarella cheese sticks. Perfect for New Year's Eve, the Super Bowl, or any occasion!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 8 mins
    Freeze time 2 hrs
    Course Appetizer, Snack
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 167 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air fryer
    • Parchment paper
    • Baking sheet

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks
    • ¼ cups flour
    • 1 large egg
    • ¼ cups Italian bread crumbs
    • ¼ cups panko bread crumbs
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • marinara sauce or pizza sauce, for dipping

    Instructions
     

    To prepare the cheese sticks

    • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Remove cheese from the wrappers and cut each one in half to create two shorter sticks.
    • Create a dredging station with three shallow containers. Place the flour in the first container. In the second container, beat the egg until frothy. In the third container, stir together the Italian breadcrumbs, panko, and seasonings. (See dredging note below.)
    • Roll each stick in the flour, then in the egg, then in the breadcrumb mixture. Place the breaded stick on the prepared baking sheet.
    • Freeze the breaded cheese sticks until completely frozen, at least two hours but preferably overnight.

    To cook the cheese sticks

    • Preheat your air fryer to 370ºF. Spritz the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.
    • Place the frozen cheese sticks in the basket in a single layer, making sure that none of them are touching. Spritz them with cooking spray.
    • Air fry cheese sticks for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the wattage of your air fryer, until they are golden.
    • Serve with marinara or pizza sauce.

    Notes

    How to bread the cheese sticks:
    • Make a dredging station by putting the flour in a shallow dish, the whisked eggs in a small bowl, big enough to submerge the cheese but not so big that the egg spreads out, and the breading mixture in a larger dish, preferably with a flat bottom. If you're right handed, you'll want the cheese on the far left, then the flour next, then the egg in the middle, and the bread crumbs mixture on the right. If you're left handed, do the opposite.
    • When you are breading food, you will want to have a wet hand and a dry hand. In other words, you will take the cheese out of the flour and dip it into the egg with one hand, then remove it from the egg and drop it into the flour mixture with that same wet hand. Then, use your dry hand to coat the cheese with the bread crumb mixture, trying to avoid getting egg on the dry hand. Remove the breaded cheese and put it on the baking sheet with your dry hand. If your dry hand gets goopy, wash your hands and dry them very well. I hope that makes sense. It's an easy process, but if you get both wet and dry on the same hand, you'll end up with a big clumpy mess.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 3sticks | Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 694mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword cheese, mozzarella
    Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Follow @FeelsLikeHome or tag #FeelsLikeHomeBlog!
    118FacebookMessenger8PinterestTwitterWhatsAppEmail
    126
    SHARES

    More Copycat Recipes

    • Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
    • How to Make Sweet Teriyaki Sauce
    • Chicken Bryan at Home - Copycat Carrabba's Recipe
    • Copycat Carrabba's Filet Bryan Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tara.

    Harrisburg PA mom blogger Tara Ziegmont
    I am passionate about helping women to care for themselves and their families physically, emotionally, and spiritually by making time for what matters most through a combination of delectable recipes, Christian inspiration, and family fun. If you're tired of feeling so weary and uninspired, you're in the right place. I'm so glad you're here!
    Read more about me...

    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram LinkedIn email me subscribe

    Popular Recipes

    • Cheeseburger Soup from Taste of Home
    • Cracker Barrel Copycat Fried Apples
    • Sweet Balsamic Pork Roast in the Instant Pot
    • Couldn't Be Easier Cherry Pie

    Food with an Instant Pot in the background

    AS SEEN ON

    a list of the websites where Tara Ziegmont has been featured

    Popular Bible Studies

    • A Grateful Heart - 2 week printable study
    • 10 Bible Verses on Anger
    • 13 Bible Verses on Disappointment
    • 50 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know
    • 10 Bible Verses to Overcome Worry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    As seen on

    a list of the websites where Tara Ziegmont has been featured

    Contact Tara


    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy.

    Copyright © 2022 Feels Like Home Blog

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    SettingsAccept
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT