Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

These air fryer mozzarella sticks make a delicious, healthier game day snack or appetizer. All the gooey cheese and crispy breading without the extra grease and calories. You can't beat it! (P.S. There are instructions to make them oven baked and gluten-free, too!)

Why Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Are SO Good

• They've got all the melty, gooey cheese and crispy exterior without the extra grease from deep frying.
• Since there's no deep frying, they're lower in calories and fat than traditional mozzarella sticks.
• They cook very quickly in the air fryer (which is also a more energy-efficient cooking method).
• Keep them frozen, then just make a couple whenever you feel like it.
• They're crazy delicious! Absolutely kid and family-approved. 😉

Ingredients

Ingredients you need to make this snack include:

• part-skim mozzarella sticks
• flour
• egg
• bread crumbs
• onion powder
• garlic powder
• paprika
• salt
• pepper

Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks

To make them gluten-free, all you have to do is use gluten-free all purpose flour (I usually use King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour or Bob's Red Mill 1-for-1 Gluten Free Flour) and gluten-free bread crumbs.

Kitchen Equipment

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To make these air fryer mozzarella sticks, you need:

• Knife and cutting board
• Sandwich-sized plastic or reusable bag
• Shallow bowls
• A sheet pan lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper
• Silicone tongs
• An air fryer

Which Air Fryer Is Best?

My general philosophy is whichever one you have! That said, if you're in the market for one, my personal preference is for a larger air fryer (i.e. a 6-quart air fryer). These not only hold more, but typically have a larger base of the "frying" basket, which is great for recipes that require food to be placed in a single layer.

I have the Instant Pot Vortex 6 quart Air Fryer and I love it. It's insanely easy and intuitive to use and I've been so impressed with everything I've made!

How to Make Them

1. Cut cheese sticks in half to get 24 pieces.
2. Prepare your breading station: Place flour in the sandwich bag, whisk the egg in a small, shallow dish, then combine bread crumbs and spices in another small, shallow dish.
3. Place cheese sticks (just a few at a time) in the sandwich bag with the flour. Toss to lightly dust the cheese sticks with flour. Tap off any excessive flour.
4. Transfer flour-dusted cheese stick to the egg wash and completely coat the cheese stick with egg wash.
5. Transfer the cheese stick to the bread crumbs and entirely cover. It may be helpful to use a small spoon to help ensure bread crumbs have been poured over every surface.
6. Place on a silicone mat lined baking dish, then freeze for at least an hour (can be frozen weeks in advance).
7. Preheat air fryer to 385°F. Place frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer, not touching. Spray the tops with nonstick spray, then cook for 5 minutes.

Oven-Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Follow the same preparation instructions, then bake (from frozen) on a silicone mat or parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Be sure to place them in a single layer, not touching, and spray the tops with nonstick spray.

Then bake at 400°F for 9-10 minutes.

Top Tips to Best Make This Recipe

• I've seen many other recipes (baked, fried, or air fried alike) that suggest freezing the mozzarella sticks before breading. I tested this recipe multiple times freezing before breading and not, and I found it absolutely, completely unnecessary! There were zero differences in the finished product. So save yourself some time, bread the fresh cheese, then freeze.
• It is IMPERATIVE to freeze the breaded cheese sticks before cooking. I wouldn't recommend freezing any less than an hour, as freezing even just 30 minutes led to more cheese escaping the breading during the cooking process.
• Be sure to spray the tops with nonstick spray before cooking - it helps them crisp up just a slight bit more.
• If you want them very crisp, I highly recommend the air fryer method. Oven baked work, and is still crispy and delicious, just not quite as crisp as using an air fried.

Tips to Make in Advance

Prepare the recipe as is, but just leave in the freezer (yes, uncooked - the egg will cook whenever you do cook them!). Once they are frozen at least an hour, you can remove them from the tray and transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.

They can be frozen like this up to 3-4 months, or longer in a deep freezer.

Serving Suggestions

Serve as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce, like marinara. You could also try dipping in something like my hummus-based pizza dip!

These also make a delicious snack or side to be served alongside something like my gluten-free turkey chili or turkey avocado veggie sandwiches.

Nutrition Highlights

Compared to traditionally fried mozzarella sticks, this recipe (either air fried or bake) results in significantly less calories, total fat, and saturated fat.

And being primarily part-skim cheese, they also contain protein and calcium!

Are these healthy?

As with anything, I wouldn't recommend eating these (or any one food) all day, every day, but these are far healthier than their deep fried counterparts. They 100% can fit into a balanced, healthy diet (even with weight loss!).

Know, too, that “healthy” is subjective. The foods that help one maintain their health may or may not work for you - and that’s okay! Honor the body you have. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I suggest eating a variety of nourishing foods that help you feel good and achieve or maintain your health, balanced with the foods you love. Remember - an election isn’t won with every vote, but the majority. Your health is the same way - the overall dietary pattern is what matters most.

Related Recipes

Want more appetizer recipes? Try these:

• Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Healthy Pizza Dip
• Gluten-Free/ Grain-Free Cheese Stuffed Bread Rolls
• Avocado Deviled Eggs
• Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
• Brie & Pesto Stuffed Mini Peppers

Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try these:

• Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
• Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
• Turkey Bacon in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
• Air Fry Broccoli

Did you make this recipe? Give it a 5★ rating below! For more healthy recipes and tips to create your own balanced relationship with food and health, be sure to follow Nutrition to Fit on Instagram!