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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

    Author: Lindsey Janeiro, RDN Published: Jan 23, 2020 · Updated: Mar 1, 2022 · 6 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    pinterest image of air fryer mozzarella sticks
    pinterest image of 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!)

    melted cheese from a mozzarella stick being pulled and stretched

    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 to bake oven baked or air fryer mozzarella sticks

    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

    As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small amount from qualifying affiliate purchases at no cost to you.

    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

    steps for how to make air fryer mozzarella sticks: coat in flour, egg wash, seasoned bread crumbs, freeze, air fry!
    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.
    dipping an air fried mozzarella stick into marinara

    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!

    a close up of crispy, golden brown mozzarella sticks with a dipping bowl of marinara sauce in the background

    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!

    melted cheese from a mozzarella stick being pulled and stretched
    Print Recipe
    5 from 4 votes

    Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

    These air fryer mozzarella sticks make a delicious, healthier game day snack. All the gooey cheese and crispy breading without the extra grease and calories. You can't beat it!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Freeze Time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 15 mins
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 99kcal
    Author: Lindsey Janeiro, RDN

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 12 part-skim cheese sticks
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free if needed)
    • 1 large egg
    • ⅓ cup bread crumbs (gluten-free if needed)
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • nonstick spray
    • Optional sauces or dips for serving, like marinara

    Instructions

    To Prepare:

    • Cut cheese sticks in half to get 24 pieces.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Transfer flour-dusted cheese stick to the egg wash and completely coat the cheese stick with egg wash.
    • 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.
    • Place on a silicone mat lined baking dish, then freeze for at least an hour (can be frozen weeks in advance).

    To Air Fry:

    • 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.

    To Oven Bake:

    • Preheat oven to 425°F. Place frozen mozzarella sticks on a silicone mat or parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer (not touching). Spray the tops with nonstick spray, then cook for 9-10 minutes.

    To Serve:

    • Serve immediately and enjoy while warm. Serve with any of your favorite dipping sauce, like marinara sauce.

    Notes

    Recipe makes 24 pieces; 1 serving is 2 pieces.
    Note: nutrition information reflects amount of flour, bread crumbs, and egg wash ingredients actually used, based on weight before and after breading. There will be leftover bread crumbs, flour, and egg wash, but those leftover ingredients were removed from the nutrition calculations.
    Nutrition information is for 2 mozzarella sticks, without any sauces or dips.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.4g | Protein: 7.6g | Fat: 6.3g | Saturated Fat: 3.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 31.5mg | Sodium: 214.7mg | Potassium: 6.5mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 225.4IU | Calcium: 151.8mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lucas Guizo says

      April 01, 2022 at 9:42 am

      I made this recipe yesterday and it was a hit! Had to do in batches to fit my air fryer basket, but it worked brilliantly. So tasty! Definitely recommended.

      Reply
      • Lindsey says

        April 02, 2022 at 9:45 pm

        Thank you Lucas, so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    2. Susan R Gravatt says

      November 13, 2022 at 4:24 pm

      These are amazing!!! Thank you so much fit the incredible recipe, so much better than oily mozzarella sticks!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN says

        November 18, 2022 at 1:50 pm

        Thanks so much Susan, I'm so glad you love them!

        Reply
    3. Julie says

      December 21, 2022 at 9:00 pm

      Made these gluten free. All of the cheese ran out of them. I wasted a ton!

      Reply
      • Lindsey Janeiro, RDN says

        December 21, 2022 at 11:04 pm

        Did you freeze them first?

        Reply

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