These crispy and cheesy air fryer mozzarella sticks are easy to make and are healthier than the store-bought version. Just coat cheese sticks in breadcrumbs, freeze, and air fry. It's easily made gluten-free, too!
Update: This recipe, first published in May 2022, has been updated with more tips and step-by-step photos showing how easy it is to make mozzarella sticks at home!
I love mozzarella sticks! They're crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside—so good. This version is healthier since it skips the deep frying, and it's easy to make gluten-free. You can air fry or bake them, so no oil or mess!
What makes these even better is that they’re beginner-friendly and quick to prepare. Just coat the cheese sticks in breadcrumbs, freeze, and air fry or bake until golden. I've even added step-by-step photos to guide you. It's that simple!
Once you try these mozzarella sticks, you'll never go back. They're cheesy, crispy, and totally kid-approved. Pair them with my homemade air fryer pizza rolls for an unbeatable party appetizer!
Why you'll love this air fryer recipe:
- Gluten-Free & Crispy: Enjoy perfectly crispy mozzarella sticks with a gooey center, all without gluten.
- No Oil Needed: Skip the deep fryer—no oil required!
- Air Fryer or Oven: Both cooking methods work, giving you easy, mess-free options.
- Flexible Cheese Options: Use string cheese or cut your own to customize.
- Freezer-Friendly: Make ahead and freeze for quick snacks anytime.
- Party-Perfect: This recipe makes 20-24 sticks, perfect for sharing with friends and family!
Ingredients
Making these crispy, cheesy air fryer mozzarella sticks is super easy and only takes eight simple ingredients! Here's what you'll need:
- Mozzarella Sticks: Use firm mozzarella or cut a block into sticks. String cheese works, too!
- Flour: You can use all-purpose or gluten-free flour to help the breadcrumbs stick. Avoid almond or coconut flour for this recipe.
- Arrowroot Powder or Tapioca Starch: Makes the coating extra crispy. Cornstarch works as well.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Simple seasoning for extra flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a tasty kick. Stick to the powder—fresh garlic won't work here.
- Eggs: Helps the coating stick to the cheese sticks.
- Bread Crumbs: Use gluten-free or regular breadcrumbs. Panko is another great option for extra crunch.
Instructions
Making homemade mozzarella sticks in your air fryer is super easy and quick! Prep takes about 8 minutes, and air frying takes under 10. Here's how to do it:
Set up three bowls: one with a mix of flour, arrowroot powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, one with whisked eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. Then, cut mozzarella into 3-inch sticks or cut string cheese in half to make 24 pieces.
Roll each cheese stick in the flour mixture.
Then, dip it in the eggs.
Finally, coat it in breadcrumbs.
Place them on the baking sheet and freeze the coated sticks for at least 2 hours until solid—this step is super important to prevent them from melting when air frying.
Preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Line the basket with parchment paper and place the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer. NO OVERLAPPING!
Lightly spray with olive oil. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, checking at 5 minutes to prevent cheese leakage.
Serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.
Top tips
- Don't Skip the Flour: Coating the cheese in flour first helps the breadcrumbs stick and stay put during cooking.
- Use Firm Mozzarella: Choose mozzarella sticks or cut a block of firm mozzarella into 3-inch by ½-inch pieces. Avoid soft mozzarella, as it melts too easily.
- Freeze First: Always freeze the coated mozzarella sticks for at least 2 hours. This keeps the cheese from oozing out while air frying.
- Cook in a Single Layer: Arrange the mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This ensures even cooking and crispy results.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Three Shallow Bowls
- Parchment Paper
- Measuring Cups
What to serve with mozzarella sticks:
Mozzarella sticks are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer and pair perfectly with a variety of dipping sauces. While marinara is a classic, you can switch it up with pizza sauce, vodka sauce, ranch, garlic aioli, pesto, sriracha mayo, sweet chili sauce, Caesar dip, or honey mustard.
If you want to turn them into a complete meal, serve them alongside a fresh salad, grilled or air-fried chicken, juicy meatballs, steak, turkey or chicken chili, or breadless chicken tenders. They're versatile and delicious with just about anything!
Storage
Storing: Mozzarella sticks are best enjoyed fresh within 5-10 minutes of cooking. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheating: To keep them crispy, reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-4 minutes or in the oven at 350°F for 5-8 minutes. Do not microwave them, as it can make them soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Freezing mozzarella sticks for at least 2 hours is crucial. This keeps the breading intact and prevents the cheese from melting during cooking. I love preparing them the day before and freezing them until I'm ready to cook—they're perfect for meal prep!
To prevent mozzarella sticks from exploding in the air fryer, freeze them for at least 2 hours before cooking. Arrange them in a single layer, and don't overcrowd the basket for even cooking. Lightly coat them with oil to help keep the cheese inside, and check them at 5 minutes to avoid overcooking.
While mozzarella is the classic choice, you can try other cheeses like string cheese or cheddar for a twist, but remember that the texture might change.
Yes, feel free to use regular or gluten-free panko instead of breadcrumbs.
Absolutely! This recipe is already gluten-free if you use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour.
Absolutely! You can bake them at 425°F for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
More air fryer recipes!
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Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 12 oz mozzarella cheese sticks, cut in half (24 mozzarella sticks total)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, gluten-free if needed
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder, or tapioca starch or corn starch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs, gluten-free if needed
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the gluten-free all-purpose flour, arrowroot powder (or tapioca flour), salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. In a second shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until well beaten. In a third shallow bowl, place the gluten-free Italian breadcrumbs.
- If using a block of mozzarella cheese, cut it into sticks approximately 3 inches long and ½ inch thick.
- Roll each mozzarella stick in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then dip the floured stick into the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip back into the bowl. Finally, roll and press the egg-coated stick in the breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating.
- Place the coated mozzarella sticks on the lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 2 hours, or until frozen solid.
- Oven-Baked: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly spray the tops of the frozen mozzarella sticks with oil or avocado oil spray. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until crispy and golden. Keep an eye on them to ensure the cheese doesn’t melt out!
- Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F.Line the bottom of the basket with parchment paper. Place the mozzarella sticks in a single layer (no overlapping) and spray lightly with olive oil or cooking spray. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, or until crispy. Check at the 5-minute mark to make sure the cheese isn’t melting out
Notes
Nutrition
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Alyssa says
SO GOOD! I loved this recipe with my family so much.