Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks

These crispy homemade gluten free mozzarella sticks are so easy to make in the air fryer or baked in the oven. They have a golden breaded outside and gooey cheesy inside – addictively delicious!

The crispiest homemade baked mozzarella sticks

Mozzarella sticks bring me back to my childhood. The super crispy outside, in combination with the warm and gooey cheese center, is to die for. Plus, don’t forget the delicious marinara dipping sauce.

Most homemade mozzarella stick recipes ask you to deep fry them, which adds a lot of oil. That’s why this recipe is so unique! Instead of frying them in oil, you can air fryer them or bake them in the oven, and they are still super crispy and crunchy.

Also, don’t forget that these mozzarella sticks are 100% gluten-free! We use gluten free breadcrumbs, gluten free flour, and arrowroot starch instead of cornstarch.

Mozerella sticks are actually really easy to make, so don’t worry if you think you are not a great cook. I promise if you follow the instructions, you will impress everyone!

You’ll be hooked once you try this mozzarella stick recipe! They are just so delicious.

Why you’ll love this gluten free recipe

• You can’t tell these homemade mozzarella sticks are gluten free.
• You can air fryer them or bake them in the oven.
• There is NO OIL in this mozzarella stick recipe.
• Use string cheese or cut your own mozzarella sticks from a block.
• Super crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
• Easy and fun to make.
• The recipe makes 20 – 24 mozzarella sticks.
• Perfect appetizer for Game Day.

Ingredients

These extra crispy gluten-free mozzarella sticks call for 8 simple ingredients. You’ll need mozzarella, gluten-free bread crumbs, garlic powder, eggs, and a few others. Here is a list of ingredients, so you are prepared:

• Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: Don’t confuse this with the soft and fresh mozzarella cheese or burrata. You need firm cheese sticks or a block of mozzarella that you can cut into sticks.
• Flour: You need gluten-free all-purpose to coat the cheese sticks, so the breadcrumbs stick to the outside.
• Arrowroot Powder or Tapioca Starch: This is my secret ingredient to making these homemade baked mozzarella sticks super crispy without any oil.
• Salt & Black Pepper: For seasoning.
• Garlic Powder: Mozerella sticks are better with garlic, trust me.
• Eggs: You need 2 eggs to dip the mozzarella sticks into so the bread crumbs will stick to the outside.
• Gluten-Free Italian Bread Crumbs: You need gluten free breadcrumbs instead of panko for these crispy homemade mozzarella sticks. I love Aleia’s brand, but any will work!

Kitchen tools required

You don’t need any fancy or special kitchen utensils for homemade mozzarella sticks. Here is a list:

• 3 Shallow Bowls
• Cutting Board
• Kitchen Knife
• Air Fryer (if air frying the mozzarella sticks)
• Baking Tray
• Parchment Paper
• Measuring Tools: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1 Tablespoon, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.

How to make gluten free mozzarella sticks

Homemade mozzarella sticks are easy to make. They take less than 8 minutes to prepare and less than 10 minutes to cook in the air fryer or oven. Here are step-by-step directions:

Step 1:

First, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set it to the side.

Step 2:

Then, mix the flour, arrowroot powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, whisk the eggs. In a third shallow bowl, add the Italian breadcrumbs.

Step 3:

If using a block of mozzarella cheese: cut the block into 3-inch long x ½-inch thick sticks. I had about 14 pieces. If using individual mozzarella sticks, cut each one in half so you have 24 pieces.

Step 4:

Next, roll each cheese stick in the flour (shake off excess). Then dip it in the egg mixture (letting excess egg drip back into the bowl). Then roll and press in the bread crumbs. Place the finished mozzarella sticks on the lined baking sheet.

Step 5:

Now, freeze the mozzarella sticks for at least 2 hours or until frozen solid. This is super important, do not skip this step!

Step 6:

Decide whether you are going to air fryer the mozzarella sticks or oven bake them.

If you are going to air fryer them, preheat the air fryer to 390°F. When ready, line the bottom of the basket with parchment paper, place the mozzarella sticks in a single layer across the bottom (no overlapping), and spray them with a little olive oil spray or cooking spray. Air fry for 5 – 7 minutes or until crispy. Check at the 5-minute mark to make sure the cheese is not melting out.

Serve homemade mozzarella sticks immediately with marinara sauce.

How to air fry frozen mozzarella sticks:

Air frying homemade mozzarella sticks is very easy! It only takes 5 to 7 minutes. Simply preheat your air fryer to 390°F; then, when it’s ready, line the bottom of the basket with parchment paper and place the mozzarella sticks in a single layer across the bottom (no overlapping). Next, spray them with a little olive oil spray or cooking spray and air fry for 5 – 7 minutes or until crispy.

I recommend checking them at the 5-minute mark to make sure the cheese is not melting out.

What to serve with mozzarella sticks:

These gluten free mozzarella sticks go well with so many dipping sauces! I love them with marinara sauce, but you can also serve them with pizza sauce, vodka sauce, ranch dressing, caesar dressing, or honey mustard.

Expert tips for homemade mozzarella sticks

Don’t skip out on the flour. Dredging your mozzarella sticks in flour before the egg wash is super important! It helps hold the breading together. If you don’t use it, the breadcrumbs won’t adhere as well and might fall off in the cooking process.

You can use a block of mozzarella cheese. If using a block of firm mozzarella, cut the block into 3-inch long x ½-inch thick sticks. I used mozzarella string cheese for this recipe which comes in sticks already. But, you can also use a block of mozzarella cheese and cut it into approximately 14 – 16 pieces.

Freeze the mozzarella sticks before baking or air frying. You must freeze your mozzarella sticks for at least 2 hours before baking or air frying because if not, the cheese will melt out of the bread coating, and they will not hold their “stick” shape.

Spray mozzarella sticks with avocado or olive oil spray. Before air frying or baking, spray the tops of the mozzarella sticks with cooking spray, so they get extra golden crispy.

Preheat your air fryer. If you are air frying these mozzarella sticks, make sure you preheat your air fryer, or they will not cook properly and get crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use string cheese instead of mozzarella?

Yes, you can use string cheese instead of mozzarella if needed. Just follow the same instructions!

Do I have to use gluten-free flour and bread crumbs?

If you are not gluten-free, you can use regular all-purpose flour and Italian bread crumbs.

What’s the difference between panko and regular breadcrumbs?

Panko and regular breadcrumbs are very similar. The main difference is that panko is typically crunchier and has bigger crumbs, whereas regular breadcrumbs will still get crispy but have a finer texture.

Why do you need to bake mozzarella sticks from frozen?

You must freeze your mozzarella sticks for at least 2 hours before baking or air frying because if not, the cheese will melt out of the bread coating, and they will not hold their “stick” shape.

Are mozzarella sticks vegetarian?

Yes, mozzarella sticks are vegetarian.

How long do they keep?

Homemade mozzarella sticks are best enjoyed within 5 – 10 minutes of baking or air frying them. You can store leftovers for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

How to store and reheat leftovers:

Storing: Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheating: For best results, reheat in your air fryer at 350°F for 2 – 4 minutes or in your oven or toaster oven at 350°F for 5 – 8 minutes. Avoid the microwave because they will get soggy.

If you love this recipe, try these next!

• Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
• Healthy Zucchini Fritters
• Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
• Air Fryer Quesadillas
• Buffalo Chicken Flatbread

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. In full disclosure, by purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!

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