Why would one buy frozen and pre-packaged mozzarella sticks when you can make them in your comfort zone, at your home within minutes? What is more, you can prepare the air fryer cheese sticks ahead of time and store them to have a snack any time of the day. If you are worried about how it tastes, well, I assure you, with the instruction followed, you will get cheese sticks that are crispy on the outside and melty inside.
Air fry mozzarella sticks are very easy to prepare, just like the air fryer frozen fish, with a handful of pantry ingredients and string cheese. You can also utilize all your favorite dips, such as homemade ranch dressing to marinara sauce. So, enrich your cooking experience with these diversified air fryer recipes.
The secret to Great Mozzarella Sticks
The optimal secret to great and extra crunch mozzarella sticks is to double-coat the mozzarella sticks. At first, add the first coat, then let it sit and add the second coat before you air fry. Remember, this step is very crucial to get desired mozzarella sticks.
Double-coating will also make the stick extra-crunch and gives and assures that all parts of the mozzarella sticks are properly coated.
Ingredients
- Mozzarella string cheese (8 pieces)
- Panko bread crumbs (1/2 cup)
- Seasoned bread crumbs (1/2 cup)
- Vegetable oil (1 tablespoon)
- Eggs (2 pieces)
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon)
- Flour (1/2 cup)
- To taste, pepper (as much as you prefer)
- To taste, salt (as much as you prefer)
Instructions
- To begin with, make 8 mozzarella sticks by cutting the mozzarella sticks in half.
- In a small bowl, add water and two eggs and then whisk to combine them.
- Mix the garlic powder, vegetable oil, panko bread crumbs, and seasoned bread crumbs in another bowl. In a 3rd bowl, season the whole amount of flour using pepper and salt.
- Then dip the pieces of mozzarella stick into the eggs. Take them out and dip into the flour mixture. Then dip them into the eggs again. And dip the mozzarella sticks into the bread crumb mixture finally.
- On a baking sheet, spread the coated mozzarella sticks, and freeze for around 30-35 minutes. If need be, there is no harm to freeze the mozzarella sticks for up to 60 days, and cook thereafter.
- At this stage, preheat your air fryer to 390-degree Fahrenheit, or 198.88-degree Celsius.
- Now, spray all the sticks using cooking spray or oil. In the air fryer basket, spread the mozzarella sticks and cook for 6-7 minutes or more until they get crisp. Once they begin to bubble, they are ready.
Note: Try to place the mozzarella stick in a single layer or go for more batches.
When properly cooked, serve your Air fryer cheese sticks immediately, as it’s best to serve warm.
Recipe Notes
- We are making mozzarella sticks in air fryer. But if you don’t possess an air fryer in place, you don’t have to worry. You can bake the mozzarella stick in a preheated oven. Set the temperature to 400-degree Fahrenheit for 9-11 minutes and bake the sticks.
- We allow the sticks to get frozen before cooking so that the cheese doesn’t melt out and the crumbs to crisp up.
- You must preheat the air fryer and inspect carefully as the air fryers may vary. So, check them early before you place the stick in
Recipe Variation
Homemade air fryer cheese sticks may have a few variations if you want. Using your own signature seasoning blend, for instance, will yield in a different variation. Sometimes I try mixing the Cajun seasoning, Taco seasoning, and my favorite homemade Italian seasoning.
So, you can bring out your favorite versions by utilizing the elements or seasoning you prefer.
Nutritional Information
The air frying process cuts back in calories, yet it offers 348 calories with many vitamins and minerals.
| Nutrient Fact (Per 286-gram serving) | Value | Daily Value |
| Calories | 348 (1,461kJ) | – |
| Protein | 19g | 23.5% |
| Carbohydrates | 26g | 17% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | 3 % |
| Total Sugars | 1g | 9% |
| Total Fat | 19g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 78% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 17% |
| Vitamin A | 156IU | – |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | – |
| Cholesterol | 112mg | 56% |
| Iron | 2mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 727mg | 59.7% |
| Potassium | 95mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 95mg | 13% |
FAQ
What do I serve with Mozzarella Sticks?
Another most interesting fact about this recipe is that it can be served numerous ways with a heck lot of ingredients. For example, serve the mozzarella stick with marinara sauce, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, jalapeno jelly, honey mustard sauce, plum sauce or ranch dressing.
More to that, it can be served with most of the dipping sauces effortlessly.
How to store Air fryer cheese sticks?
You can easily store the air-fried mozzarella cheese sticks in the refrigerator. First, place the sticks in an air-tight and covered container, then put it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Then take the sticks out and reheat in the air fryer until crisp.
However, you can freeze uncooked and breaded sticks for up to 6 months. But there is no need of thawing. Just make them go straight to the air fryer from the freezer.
If you are a cheese lover just like me, I bet, you won’t be able to resist the ooey-gooey cheesiness of mozzarella sticks. But, even if you aren’t a cheese lover, the taste of these sticks will take you by surprise! Besides, the air frying process will drastically cut back on calories as you keep air frying.
With cheese being the star in the ingredient list, you will get a terrific cooking experience with air fryer cheese sticks.