This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.
Is there anything better than a freshly made mozzarella stick? The combination of a crunchy breading with an ooey-gooey cheese center, dipped in marinara sauce is like heaven in my mouth. Of course, we are trying to stay away from fried foods, so we’ve been making these air fryer mozzarella sticks.
They are even better than the pan-fried version, I promise! My family can’t get enough. They are light and don’t leave you feeling icky like a lot of deep-fried foods normally do.
Before I share our air fryer mozzarella sticks recipe, let me share a few tips.
I always spray my mozzarella sticks with avocado oil before I put them in the air fryer.
I prefer to dip the mozzarella cheese pieces using a toothpick (see images below). I find when I do it with my hands, I have to wash my hands a number of times throughout the breading process. With the toothpick, just place it in the bowl, and with a spoon, cover the piece of cheese. It’s fast and much less messy!
If you have one, I recommend using a silicone cutting board. They are super easy to clean!
What if I don’t have an Air Fryer?
If you don’t have an air fryer yet, this is a great opportunity to get one. We have the Powerxl 5qt and we absolutely love it. You can also bake them in an oven at 400º for 10 minutes.
Can I use string cheese?
You absolutely can use string cheese to save yourself time. You’ll want to cut them in half so that they aren’t as long. I have made them before this way, but we think they taste better when you use the block of low moisture mozzarella cheese.
Do I have to freeze them before air frying?
While you don’t have to, I do recommend it. It helps to keep the breading on and gives it more of a crispy texture.
Can I freeze them to air fry at a later time?
Yes! I do this all the time. Just bread them and instead of leaving them on the baking sheet, place them in a freezer-safe container until you are ready to air fry them. Pull them out of the freezer as needed.
Can I use seasoned bread crumbs?
I prefer to use unseasoned so that I can season them myself, but you can definitely use seasoned bread crumbs! If you do, you can eliminate the other spices listed.
I’ve tried to show the steps in the photos above for you, to make it a bit easier to make these air fryer mozzarella sticks.
Step 1: Slice the mozzarella cheese into 1/2 inch by 2-inch pieces (they don’t have to be perfect).
Step 2: Take out three bowls. You’ll put the eggs in one, the flour, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese into another, and both breadcrumbs and the rest of the spices in the last bowl.
Step 3: Using a toothpick, dip one piece of mozzarella into the egg. Shake off excess.
Step 4: Dip the same piece of mozzarella into the flour and cover, using a spoon. Shake off excess.
Step 5: Dip the same piece of mozzarella back into the egg and cover. Shake off excess.
Step 6: Dip the same piece of mozzarella into the bread crumb mixture and cover, using a spoon. Shake off excess.
Step 7: Place the fully breaded mozzarella sticks on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours.
Step 8: Place the mozzarella sticks into your air fryer basket. Leave space around each one. Air fry according to the directions below.
air fryer mozzarella sticks
PrintAir Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
- Total Time: 14 minute
- Yield: 30 sticks 1x
Description
These delicious air fryer mozzarella sticks are crispy on the outside and super cheesy on the inside. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
- 16 oz block of low moisture mozzarella, sliced
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp minced onion
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
- oil spray (we prefer avocado)
Instructions
- Slice your mozzarella into equal pieces that are approximately 1/2 inch by 2 inches (they don’t have to be perfect)
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Get out three small bowls. In the first bowl, whisk your eggs. In the second bowl, combine flour, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. In the last bowl, combine both types of bread crumbs and the remaining spices.
- Using a toothpick, dip the first piece of mozzarella into the egg, making sure it’s completely covered. Shake off the excess.
- Dip the same piece of mozzarella into the flour, making sure it’s completely covered. Shake off the excess.
- Dip the same piece of mozzarella back into the egg, making sure it’s completely covered. Shake off the excess.
- Dip the same piece of mozzarella into the bread crumbs mixture, making sure it’s completely covered. Shake off the excess.
- Place the completely breaded piece of cheese onto your parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Repeat with the rest of your pieces of mozzarella.
- Freeze the entire sheet of breaded mozzarella for 1-2 hours. Once you’ve removed them, spray them with oil spray.
- Place the mozzarella sticks into your air fryer basket, making sure to leave space around each one. You may need to do this a few times, depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
- Cook at 390º for 6 minutes.
- Serve with a marinara sauce for dipping.
- Prep Time: 1-2 hours
- Cook Time: 6 min
- Method: Air Fried
If you try our air fryer mozzarella sticks, we’d love to hear your thoughts. If you take a picture or share it on social media, don’t forget to tag us! Don’t forget to check out all of our other air fryer recipes as well as our family-friendly recipes!
I am loving playing with my air fryer. It sounds like they should be next.
★★★★★
Now that’s an appetizer worth making ; )
Sounds super yum and I know it’ll be a crowd-pleaser! YUM
These look really tasty and I love the idea of using a toothpick so you don’t get messy!
This looks so tasty! I need to get an air fryer. There’s so many great recipes you can do with one. These mozzarella sticks look so GOOD! Your photos look so amazing btw.
Woah! This looks really good. Would love to make a few tomorrow and follow your recipe. Thank for the tip regarding the toothpick. Will try that one as well.
I have been using my air fryer a lot lately, but haven’t tried preparing mozzarella sticks, yet. Will save your recipe for later.
Yum, these sound so delicious! We love mozzarella sticks but I haven’t yet tried them in the air fryer – I will be now!
★★★★★
We’ve tried doing mozzarella sticks but not yet through an air fryer, next time I’ll try the same too.
I like Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks! It’s so cheezy! I hope I can make some soon.
★★★★★
I have been thinking of getting my own air fryer. Thanks for your recipe. You just convinced me to 🙂
Air fryer mozzarella sticks looks delicious I need to get an Airfyer now.
★★★★★
What is more delicious than mozzarella sticks? Nothing! Nothing is better 🙂
These look amazing!! I love anything with cheese especially when cheese is the main star!
This looks yummy. We have tried it before but with a different sauce and it’s good.
Umm these sound OH SO good!
Mozzarella sticks are so tasty! I can’t stop eating them!
★★★★★
I love mozzarella sticks and I’m always looking for a reason to use the air fryer. Gotta try this!
This is a great appetizer. My wife and I are finally convinced that we should get an air fryer soon. We’re excited to try air fryer recipes.
★★★★★
YUM panko is one of my favorite coating for the air fryer these days. I got to give your recipe a try pronto!
★★★★★
Oh these look so delicious! I love my airfryer and will have to make mozzarella sticks for the family again soon.
I usually buy pre-made mozzarella sticks and deep fry them. I will try your recipe and make them myself. Looks really good!
★★★★★
Wow I had no idea how easy making mozzarella sticks was. I love air fryer everything. I’m trying this
ASAP.
★★★★★
This is one of the family’s favorite snacks. It’s so easy to make, and it’s delicious!
★★★★★
I’ve never tried air fried moz sticks. I bet they taste great.
Yum! I have actually tried this before but not in air fryer though. I am always intrigued about this air fryer trend and i think i am one step away of buying one haha.
Thank you for sharing this recipe
★★★★★
Oh my goodness these sound do tasty! Do you think this could also work with Halloumi too?
★★★★★
Author
I couldn’t say. I don’t think I’ve ever had Halloumi before.
Mozzarella sticks are one of my favorites for some treat and this method makes it even easier to prepare. Nice!
Sounds so satisfying, especially for cheese lovers like me. And it’s so easy to make!
★★★★★
I love mozz sticks! And I agree using the block is way better than using string cheese. Good tip about dipping with toothpicks to avoid cleaning hands so often!
Mozzarella sticks are my absolute favorite! The air fryer made them so easy. I’m in trouble now because I’m going to be making these all the time.
★★★★★
I love mozzarella sticks. I have never made them myself though. I’m really looking forward to trying your recipe. I love having them in the air fryer.
Mozzarella sticks are one of my fave foods. This sounds like a great recipe, and even better that you can make it in the air fryer.
These look so good! I’m going to try to make these this weekend!
★★★★★
I love mozzarella sticks and I love my air fryer (my oven is actually mad at me that I’ve forsaken him for this teeny thing on the countertop, LOL). But I’ve never tried making my own! Love your step-by-step instructions and tips to get it right. I’m making these tomorrow as a fun mid-week appetizer!
This looks so yummy, I wish I had everything on hand to make this right now.
★★★★★
I’m still not sure whether to get an air fryer because of cost and lack of storage space. But this delicious recipe has me wishing we had one!
Mozzarella sticks are addicting! And they’re always a hit at parties. Love that we can make them in an air fryer.
These look delicious. I just love mozzarella sticks. I am a huge cheese fan. I just need an air fryer!
These air fryer mozzarella sticks are so awesome and much better than the frozen ones you can buy at the store. I like to crush up Doritos and add that to the breading too.
★★★★★
Author
Yum! We use Doritos to bread things too. SOOOO good!
Last year I got an air fryer, the best purchase ever! I can honestly say is one of the gadgets I use the most in the kitchen. This recipe looks fab! easy to make and certainly highly satisfying! I will be doing it soon. Thanks for sharing!