Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Making homemade Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks is probably easier than you think! No need to buy them from the store when you can use simple ingredients like mozzarella string cheese, bread crumbs, and seasonings to make them in the air fryer. 

They’re the perfect snack to munch on, keep in the freezer for when that craving strikes, or make them for a game day watch party like the Super Bowl. 

Homemade Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipes

Mozzarella sticks are always a crowd favorite for parties, gatherings, or just a fun snack time with your family & friends. No need to buy them from the store anymore after you learn how to make them at home in an air fryer. 

These store perfectly in the freezer. Keep them in the freezer for when that craving hits and pop them into the air fryer. Warm, gooey, cheesy mozzarella sticks in just minutes!

Ingredients Needed

• Mozzarella String Cheese – I know I always have these in my fridge… hello 4 kids who basically live off them 😉. You will need 10 of these, which will be cut in half, so you’ll end up with 20 half sticks of mozzarella sticks. 
• Large Eggs + Water – This is the mixture that you first dip the mozzarella sticks into. The egg acts like ‘super glue’ which will ensure that the crumb coating stays on the cheese. 
• All-Purpose flour
• Plain Bread Crumbs – It’s important to use both kinds of bread crumbs. The panko will provide the crunch and texture, while the plain bread crumbs provides the coating along with the flour. 
• Plain Panko Bread Crumbs
• Italian Seasoning
• Garlic Powder
• Kosher Salt

How To Make Mozzarella Sticks In an Air Fryer

Learn how to make homemade mozzarella sticks with this easy air fryer method. Be sure and read to the bottom of the post where there is a printable recipe card, a pin it button so you can save it for later, and all my tips for success. 

• Bowls : Get out 3 bowls. In one bowl beat the eggs + water with a fork until mixed. In the second bowl, add the flour. In the third bowl, stir together the plain bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and kosher salt. 
• Mozzarella Sticks : Working one mozzarella stick at a time, dip it first into the egg and then into the flour, return back to the eggs, and finally coat it in the bread crumb & seasoning mixture. Place it onto a cutting board or large platter (just whatever will fit into your freezer), and repeat with the remaining string cheese halves. 
• Freeze : Freeze the mozzarella sticks for at least 1 hour.
• Air Fry Time : Place the sticks in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400 degrees F for 4 minutes. 

Mozzarella Sticks FAQ’s

• Variation & Substitution Ideas

  • Seasonings : Switch up the dried seasonings to whatever you prefer. Instead of Italian seasoning you could use basil or oregano. 
  • Garlic Salt : Instead of using garlic powder + salt you can easily substitute with 1 teaspoon of garlic salt. 
  • Spicy Mozzarella Sticks : Add some red pepper flakes and/or red cayenne pepper in with the other dried seasonings for some heat. 
  • Seasoned Bread Crumbs : I have never personally done this, but you could use seasoned bread crumbs + seasoned panko bread crumbs instead of the plain bread crumbs & dried seasoning. Or still use the dried seasonings for extra flavor!

• How Long Can I Freeze Mozzarella Sticks?

  • Because these mozzarella sticks need to be frozen anyways before air frying them, they are the perfect freezer food. Uncooked frozen mozzarella sticks can keep fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
  • If freezing long term, transfer the sticks (after the initial 1 hour freeze) to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. 
  • When ready to eat, just take them out of the freezer and air fry as directed in the recipe below. 

• Storing Leftovers

  • Cooked mozzarella sticks can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days inside an airtight container. 
  • When you’re ready to eat them, spray them with cooking spray and reheat them in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 400 degrees F. 

• What Can I Use Instead of String Cheese?

  • Although I recommend using string cheese, because that is how I make them and it’s what the recipe was tested with, there are a couple of other options you can try that I think would work great. 
  • Grab a package of sliced mozzarella cheese and dredge the slices of cheese in the 3 mixtures. You can find this in the deli section of the grocery store and it’s an oval shaped ball of fresh mozzarella cheese that has been sliced into thick slices already. 
  • Or try using mozzarella pearls, which are small balls of cheese, and dredge those for mozzarella bites 

Recipe Tips

Here are a few of my helpful tips so that you can have success making this recipe in your own kitchen ♥

• Dredging Tip : To keep your fingers from getting covered in batter and breading during the dredging process, use one hand to dip the mozzarella sticks into the eggs and the other hand dips them into the bread crumb mixture and flour. This will keep your fingers from getting covered in egg + dry ingredients, which when mixed together, is like a gooey paste. Dredging is simply referring to the process of covering the cheese sticks in the 3 different mixtures. 
• Don’t Skip The Freezer Time! : The freezer time is vital to this recipe. If you skip it, the cheese will melt first before the outside gets browned and crispy, which means the cheese will almost immediately ooze out while in the air fryer. The frozen exterior kind of locks the warm cheese inside of it while cooking. 
• Serve Hot : These are best served immediately right from the air fryer. I do not suggest making these ahead of time. You can make them ahead of time and store them in the freezer, and then pull them out and cook them, but it’s best to cook these right before serving. 
• Dipping Sauce : We love these dipped in marinara sauce (jarred or homemade) or some ranch dressing. I actually prefer to eat them plain as is. The gooey cheese is really I need!

More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

• Cheese Bombs (Made in the Air Fryer) – Little balls of buttery biscuit dough stuffed with three different kinds of cheese.
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes – The classic baked potato gets a makeover with this new way to cook them. 
• Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp – Shrimp cooked in the air fryer with a perfect blend of parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and seasonings. Ready in 15 minutes!
• Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas – Chunks of chicken seasoned to perfection with bell peppers and onion.