Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer
Mozzarella sticks go wrong in one way, which is that the cheese melts and leaks out before the coating is crisp. The fix is to freeze the crumbed sticks solid first, then cook them in a hot air fryer for just 6 minutes. You get a crunchy crust and a long string of melted cheese inside, with a fraction of the oil of deep frying.
- Temperature
- 190°C
- Total time
- 1:26hr
- Prep
- 20min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 335kcal
Why the air fryer works for mozzarella sticks
Mozzarella sticks air fryer style are one of the neatest uses of the machine. The coating crisps in hot air in only a few minutes, before the cheese has time to collapse. Deep frying does the same job, but needs a pan of oil at 180 °C. The air fryer needs a quick spray and gives you a lighter finish, with no oil to dispose of afterwards.
The key is to freeze the sticks. Cold, firm cheese holds its shape while the crumb sets, then melts into a long, stretchy centre. Without that step the cheese melts first and breaks through the coating. A basket fits all 8 sticks in a single layer in most 4–6 litre air fryers, so they are ready in one batch.
How to make mozzarella sticks in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cut the cheese Slice the mozzarella block into 8 sticks about 1.5 cm thick and 8 cm long. Pat them dry with kitchen roll. Use firm block mozzarella, not the soft ball in brine.
- Set up the coating Put the flour in one shallow dish and the beaten eggs in a second. Mix the panko with the herbs and garlic granules in a third.
- Coat twice Roll each stick in flour, dip it in egg, then press it firmly into the crumbs. Dip it back in the egg and crumbs again for a double coating. This second layer is what stops leaks.
- Freeze Lay the sticks on a lined tray and freeze them for at least , until rock solid. Do not skip this step.
- Cook Preheat the air fryer to 190 °C for . Spray the sticks lightly with oil and place them in a single layer in the basket, straight from the freezer. Cook for at 190 °C, turning them after , until deep golden. Rest for , then serve with warm tomato sauce.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Mozzarella Sticks | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade sticks, from the freezerTurn halfway | 190 °C | 6 min |
| Shop-bought frozen sticksFollow the pack | 180 °C | 5–6 min |
| String cheese sticksHalve and freeze first | 190 °C | 5–6 min |
| Mini mozzarella bites | 190 °C | 4–5 min |
| Reheating cooked sticksSteaming hot, 75 °C | 170 °C | 2–3 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Use low-moisture mozzarella. The firm block sold for pizza stays together better than fresh mozzarella in brine, which releases too much water.
- Double coat. Flour, egg, crumb, egg, crumb is the key to a seal with no gaps. Panko gives the crispest crust.
- Do not overcook. Six minutes is enough. Left too long, even frozen sticks will burst, so watch them from 5 minutes.
Serving
Serve the sticks hot with warmed tomato sauce, sweet chilli or a garlic mayonnaise. They suit a snack platter with chicken nuggets, potato wedges and spring rolls, and they are good with a burger. The same mozzarella sticks air fryer method works with a bag of crumbed ones too, as long as you keep them frozen.
Storing and reheating
Uncooked, crumbed sticks keep in the freezer for up to 2 months in a freezer bag. Cooked sticks are best eaten at once, but leftovers keep in the fridge for a day. Reheat them in the air fryer at 170 °C for 2–3 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C), without letting them split.
Variations
- String cheese: Cut string cheese sticks in half, coat as above and freeze, for a quicker snack.
- Spicy: Add ½ tsp of smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne to the crumbs.
- Lighter coating: Use crushed cornflakes in place of panko for extra crunch.
Troubleshooting
- The cheese leaks out of the coating
- The sticks were not frozen solid or the coating was patchy. Double-coat every stick, freeze for a full hour and cook from frozen. Take them out as soon as they are golden.
- The crumbs fall off
- The cheese was damp. Pat it dry before flouring, press the crumbs on firmly and let the coated sticks stand for 5 minutes before they go in the freezer.
- The sticks are crisp but the cheese is not melted
- Cook for 1 minute longer at 180 °C. Thicker sticks need a little more time, so cut them to 1.5 cm.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook mozzarella sticks in an air fryer?
Yes. Coated and frozen homemade sticks cook in 6 minutes at 190 °C, and shop-bought frozen ones in 5–6 minutes at 180 °C.
How long do frozen mozzarella sticks take in an air fryer?
About 5–6 minutes at 180 °C, shaken or turned halfway. Check the pack as brands vary, and take them out as soon as the coating is golden.
Can you use string cheese for air fryer mozzarella sticks?
Yes, string cheese works well and is already the right shape. Halve each one, coat as above and freeze before cooking.
Do you have to use egg?
Egg helps the crumbs stick. If you prefer to avoid it, brush the sticks with milk or use thick plain yoghurt instead, but make sure to freeze them well.
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