4.89 from 17 votes

The BEST Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

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These crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks are easy to make plus perfectly gooey and crunchy every time. Just a few minutes in the air fryer gives you a lightened up mozzarella stick that is a healthier take on party time classic.

A person dipping a mozzarella cheese stick into a bowl of red sauce with more cheese sticks next to the bowl


 

Why We Love The BEST Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

  • Gooey And Delicious– It’s hard to say no to gooey, melty cheesy goodness. Mozzarella cheese dipped in warm marinara sauce is so tasty. You don’t need much oil with these mozzarella sticks, especially compared with deep frying!
  • Great For Game Day– These are the perfect snack to throw in the air fryer for football season or a party. I sometimes make them when my kid has a few friends over too.
  • Delicious Flavor– These mozzarella sticks have flavors like oregano and garlic in the coating, making them burst with flavor in every bite!
  • Easy To Prep Ahead– Not only are these mozzarella sticks easy to make, they are totally an easy recipe to prep ahead and add to your freezer. Then whenever you want gooey mozzarella sticks you can just throw a few in the air fryer! Delicious, and perhaps a little dangerous!

These crispy mozzarella sticks didn’t take very long and the air fryer was the clear champion! Served with warm marinara this recipe is always a crowd pleaser, with it’s super gooey cheese and crunchy outside!

Use skim milk string cheese dipped in panko, flour, egg and a mix of Italian spices for a delicious snack to share.

If you like this recipe, you should try my easy Hawaiian roll pizza sliders in the air fryer or oven. Delicious little bites packed with pizza flavor, and perfect for a party!

Mozzarella cheese sticks on a plate overhead next to a bowl of sauce topped with parsley

Ingredients For Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients for mozzarella sticks in bowls with labels from above.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions below in the recipe card.

  • string cheese sticks – Can use any string cheese
  • all purpose flour
  • paprika
  • oregano
  • parsley
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • salt
  • panko breadcrumbs – also known as japanese panko breadcrumbs
  • egg

How To Make Mozzarella Cheese Sticks In The Air Fryer

Prepping The Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

  • Slice all cheese sticks in half so you have 16 equal pieces.
  • In a small bowl combine panko, paprika, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. In a second small bowl add one egg and beat with a fork (or whisk). In a third small bowl add the flour.
Slicing string cheese in half on a cutting board with bowls of bread crumbs, egg and flour above
  • Dip each piece of cheese first in the flour, then in the egg mixture, then in the spices and panko mixture. Once covered place the cheese stick on your cookie sheet. I like to line the cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
string cheese being coated in seasoned panko breading
  • Using a fork to lift the string cheese out of the breading can help to keep too much breading from sticking to the cheese in bigger clumps. This helps to coat cheese sticks evenly so when they cook, they are cripsy.

Breading Tip

I like to use one fork for each step, one in the flour, one in the egg and one in the panko breadcrumbs so I’m not transferring as much of the breading between the bowls, which can lead to clumping.

string cheese coated in breading being lifted out of the bowl with a fork
  • Continue coating all pieces of cheese in the breadcrumb mixture, lining them up on the cookie sheet.
String cheese with herbs and breadcrumbs on a cookie sheet to freeze
  • Place cheese sticks in the freezer for a minimum of two hours or until frozen solid. Cheese sticks can then be placed in a freezer bag to be stored or cooked in the air fryer.
string cheese coated in panko breadcrumbs on a baking sheet next to a bowl of seasoned panko, a fork and a cutting board

Cooking The Mozzarella Cheese Sticks In The Air Fryer

  • Set air fryer to 400 degrees. Allow the air fryer machine to preheat for a minute or two until warm. Spray air fryer basket with a light mist of oil spray away from the machine.
  • Add frozen mozzarella cheese sticks to air fryer basket in a single layer so they are not touching. ( I was able to fit 7-8 frozen sticks in my basket) If they touch they can stick together sometimes as they cook.
Panko coated string cheese in the air fryer before cooking
  • Heat cheese sticks for 3-4 minutes, then open the air fryer and shake them around the basket or flip them with tongs. Cook an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side until crispy, brown, and gooey inside. If they aren’t quite crispy enough, pop them in for an additional minute, easy peasy!
Panko coated string cheese in the air fryer brown after cooking
  • Serve the cheese sticks while hot with a side of marinara for dipping! You can use your favorite marinara sauce, ranch, or any other favorite dipping sauce you like! (Try them with a tangy BBQ sauce, yum!)

While you’re making appetizers, you should check out my Crispy Baked Potato Wedges (just like thick french fries but in the air fryer!) or my 12 Minutes Or Less Hummus Bites for a few more delicious party appetizers.

Mozzarella cheese being stretched over a bowl of red sauce and platter of cheesesticks

Anyone else go round and round about buying an air fryer? I did until eventually, my husband picked up this little beauty. We love our air fryer, it makes just about anything crispy in a few minutes. My only wish is I had gotten this air fryer with the bigger basket!

Update** Since writing this post originally, I replaced my toaster oven and bought this ninja air fryer that can fit an entire frozen pizza, and I love it! I never thought I would use the flip up to clear counter space feature, but I do!

How To Keep The Cheese From Melting Through The Breadcrumbs

People often ask won’t the cheese just melt out of the breading into a puddle all over my air fryer? The short answer is that it is possible this could happen but by following these cooking tips, that won’t happen!

The first time you cook cheese sticks in the air fryer I don’t recommend just popping them into the machine and walking away. You may need to watch them a little bit to know how they cook best in your air fryer. Luckily the cheese sticks cook fast.

Here are my top tips for getting the best results and making sure your mozzarella sticks don’t melt in the air fryer, but ARE crispy and delicious.

  • TIP 1: Freezing- One of the tricks to keeping the cheese from melting through the coating is to have your mozzarella sticks completely frozen and your air fryer super hot for this recipe. This gives the outside time to become a golden brown before the cheese gets too hot and turns to liquid.
  • TIP 2: Coating – The other thing I’ve found that can make or break your mozzarella sticks is making sure both the flour and egg coating are completely covering your mozzarella sticks as you are coating them. Spots where the flour and egg aren’t coating the mozzarella completely tend to be where they later potentially melt out.
  • TIP 3- Time and Temperature– My air fryer works best when you heat the mozzarella sticks at 400 degrees for about 8 minutes and flip them after about four minutes. Air fryer temperatures can vary between the models, so if your cheese is melting out try reducing the temperature by 10-15 degrees.

This is a great recipe to make ahead and then keep in the freezer. You’ll be ready for tailgating or game day or unexpected guests.

I pulled a batch of these mozzarella sticks made with this recipe out from the freezer when my father in law came to visit. These cheese sticks were a big hit and cooked fast.

Do You Have To Preheat An Air Fryer?

Preheating the air fryer takes only a minute or two compared to the oven, but you don’t have to preheat it. If you chose not to preheat your air fryer your first batch of mozzarella cheese sticks may need to be cooked for an additional minute or two.

If your mozzarella sticks aren’t quite cooked and gooey enough, throw them back into the machine for a minute or two extra.

Can You Use Cooking Spray In Your Air Fryer?

You can use PAM and similar sprays in your air fryer, but over time the oil will buildup on your machine.

This is normal as cooking sprays contain propellant which will build up on any cooking surface over time whether it’s generic cooking oil or olive oil spray.

I choose instead to use either a Misto or this avocado oil spray that doesn’t include propellant for this recipe. I usually buy my avocado oil at Costco as it usually is the best deal.

Avocado oil won’t make your mozzarella sticks taste like avocado. (Though air-fried avocado could be good too!)

A mozzarella cheese stick being held by fingers over a bowl of sauce and platter of snacks

Do You Have To Use Panko In This recipe?

You can use any type of plain breadcrumb you prefer in this recipe. Panko is my personal favorite as it tends to make a crunchier outside.

You could also go wild with the coating, trying ground up pretzels, tortilla chips, or whatever else crunchy you have around that could be made into crumbs. I’ve even seen people starting to use Hot Cheetos ground up as the coating.

Can I put Aluminum Foil In My Air Fryer?

You technically can put aluminum foil in your air fryer but I don’t recommend it. You aluminum foil must be waited down by your food when you make and cook it or it might move around the machine.

The air fryer is designed to circulate warm air quickly, and those little holes in the basket help allow the air to move around the machine. It’s the technology that makes it hot fast without having to cook food very long.

If you use aluminum foil, you are blocking some of the airflow in your machine. Your results may end with mozzarella sticks recipe that is not as crunchy.

A platter of mozzarella cheese sticks with a bowl of red sauce overhead

Can You Cook Boxed Frozen Mozzarella Sticks In The Air Fryer?

Yes, you can make air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks that you buy from the store by following the same heating directions below at the bottom of the page in the recipe card for cooking the homemade mozzarella sticks.

Typically boxed frozen mozzarella sticks are pre-fried before frozen, so they may not even need the extra spritz of oil.

How Do You Store Leftover Cheese Sticks?

Store any leftover mozzarella cheese sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. I recommend reheating them quickly in the air fryer when warming up leftovers.

How Do You Cook these Mozzarella Sticks In an Oven?

I’ve baked mozzarella cheese sticks before in the oven. They often end up slightly flatter and less crispy than in the air fryer but are tasty and I find that the air fryer is the best way. If you don’t have an air fryer though, you can bake them in the oven like this.

  • Start by following the directions to coat and add the breadcrumbs to the cheese sticks, then freeze them.
  • If you are baking these mozzarella sticks in the oven, bake them at 400 degrees for 4-5 minutes on each side. Make sure to preheat the oven or it will take longer.
  • Spray them with little oil both before you put them in the oven, and when you flip them to help them get more crispy.

Other Party Recipes You Will Love:

Easy Homemade Pepperoni Rolls Quick and easy pepperoni rolls are delicious and when dipped in sauce taste like pizza! Homemade air fryer pizza rolls will have all the kids at your house after school!

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Fries– Made in the air fryer or oven, this crispy zucchini is so delicious!

Ham and Cheese Sliders– This includes instructions for both the air fryer or the oven, the sauce is SO good!

Turkey Burger Sliders With Cheese – Juicy little turkey burgers that the whole family will love, perfect size for snacking!

Pull Apart Cheesy Garlic Bread– Whether you serve it as an appetizer or a side dish, this super cheesy pull-apart garlic bread is tasty. It starts with store-bought biscuit dough and ends with a cheesy loaf that everyone will cheer for.

Easy Tortilla Pizza Rollups – A quick and easy snack or appetizer, who doesn’t love pizza?

Pigs In A Blanket– Make’m in the air fryer or oven, these savory pigs in a blanket are a super easy and delicious appetizer for any party, game day or board game night.

Mozzarella cheese sticks on a plate overhead next to a bowl of sauce topped with parsley
Recipe

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks


Author Kristy
Course Appetizer, Snacks
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings 16 Pieces
Crispy healthier air fryer mozzarella sticks are ridiculously delicious and so healthier than deep-fried. Made ahead and frozen, these skinny mozzarella sticks are perfect for a party.

Ingredients  

  • 8 sticks string cheese I prefer the skim version for this recipe over full fat.
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 2 teaspoons parsley
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg

Instructions

Prepping The Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

  • Slice all cheese sticks in half so you have 16 equal pieces.
  • In a small bowl combine panko, paprika, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
  • In a second small bowl add one egg and beat with a fork (or whisk).
  • In a third small bowl add the flour.
  • Using a fork to help you dip each piece of cheese first in the flour, then in the egg, then in the panko and spices mixture. Once covered place on your cookie sheet. I like to line the cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  • Continue coating all pieces of cheese, lining them up on the cookie sheet.
  • Place cheese sticks in the freezer for a minimum of two hours or until frozen solid. Cheese sticks can then be placed in a freezer bag to be stored or cooked in the air fryer.

Cooking The Cheese Sticks In The Air Fryer

  • Set air fryer to 400 degrees. Allow to preheat for a minute or two until warm.
  • Spray air fryer basket with a light mist of oil spray facing away from the air fryer machine to keep the oil out of the heating element.
  • Add frozen mozzarella cheese sticks to air fryer basket in a single layer so they are not touching. ( I was able to fit 7-8 in my basket)
  • Heat cheese sticks for 3-4 minutes, then open the air fryer and shake them around the basket or flip them with tongs. Cook an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side until crispy, brown, and gooey inside. If they aren’t quite crispy enough, pop them in for an additional minute, easy peasy!
  • Serve while hot with a side of marinara for dipping!

Video

Notes

  • Freezing these mozzarella sticks ahead of time is important so they get the right texture that is crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
  • Add a little more pan spray lightly in between batches to ensure all batches are evenly crispy. Spraying the mozzarella sticks lightly also helps to keep them extra crispy.
  • Air fryers can vary in temperature. On my air fryer, 400 degrees works best but temperatures can vary between air fryers. If your cheese continues to melt out, try lowering your temperature by 10-15 degrees.
  • If you are baking these mozzarella sticks in the oven, bake them at 400 degrees for 4-5 minutes on each side. Make sure to preheat the oven or it will take longer. Spray them with little oil both before you put them in the oven, and when you flip them to help them get more crispy.
  • Instead of all of the spices individually you can also substitute a tablespoon of Italian seasoning for all of the spices except the salt. You must still add salt if subsituting.

Nutrition

Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
Keyword air fryer recipe, appetizer recipe, cheese, mozzarella cheese sticks recipe, party food, tailgating recipe

Did You Make This?

I would love to see it! Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!

Did you make these air fryer mozzarella sticks? Give this recipe a star rating and tell us in the comments how it went! Also ask any questions you have for all things air fryer and/or this yummy mozzarella sticks recipe.

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Recipe Rating




11 Comments

  1. Monica Speak says:

    5 stars
    OMG….easy and delicious!!!

  2. I will be hopefully making this tonight.
    Just curious how many are considered a serving for the nutrition that is listed. Thanks.

    1. Hi Karen, I hope you enjoy! The recipe makes 16 pieces as stated, and the nutrition is calculated for one piece just for convenience. A single piece is essentially half of a string cheese. Hope that helps.

  3. 5 stars
    Made these tonight and they were a success! All the flavor and cheesy goodness without the deep fried calories. Followed step by step and used exact ingredients. Will make again when I have a craving for cheese-sticks

  4. We had these today for happy hour. Delightful recipe that we will definitely make again, thanks!

      1. what if i don’t have an air fryer

      2. There are alternative directions for using an oven both in the article and in the notes of the recipe.

  5. 5 stars
    My grandson loved them. Actually so did I. ๐Ÿ˜.

    1. So glad you both enjoyed the mozzarella sticks Renee. My daughter asks for them too now. ๐Ÿ™‚

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