Crispy and Delicious: Making Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

Are you a fan of mozzarella sticks? Do you have an air fryer and need some creative ideas to use it? If you replied yes to both questions, then you’re in luck! Making mozzarella sticks in an air fryer is easy and doesn’t require too much time or effort. Keep on reading to learn how to make this crispy, golden, and cheesy snack at home.

First, let’s talk about air frying. It’s a healthier alternative to deep frying as it requires little to no oil, which results in a lower calorie count. Plus, it doesn’t sacrifice taste or texture. Air fryers work by circulating hot air to cook food, producing a crispy exterior and a moist interior. So, if you want to indulge in your favorite fried snacks without any guilt, air frying is the way to go. Now, let’s get into the recipe!

Ingredients Needed

For making mozzarella sticks in the air fryer, you will need some basic ingredients that are easily available in any supermarket. Here are the ingredients you will need:

• Air fryer
• 6 – 8 pieces of mozzarella cheese sticks
• 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of water
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Preparation Process

The preparation process for making mozzarella sticks in the air fryer is quite simple and straightforward. Here is what you need to do:

1. Preheat the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to 375°F. This will ensure that your mozzarella sticks are cooked evenly and perfectly.

2. Cut the Cheese Sticks into Equal Pieces

Cut the mozzarella cheese sticks into equal pieces around 1 inch in length. This length is perfect for an air fryer.

3. Prepare Your Coating Station

Get three bowls and add flour in one, beaten eggs in another, and breadcrumbs along with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in the third bowl. Mix the breadcrumbs with spices well.

4. Coat the Cheese Sticks

Now, it’s time to start coating your cheese sticks. Take one piece of cheese stick and coat it in flour followed by the egg mixture and lastly, coat it in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat the process for all cheese sticks.

5. Set the Cheese Sticks in the Air Fryer

Now, place the coated cheese sticks in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. This way, your mozzarella sticks will cook properly and evenly.

6. Spray Oil on Cheese Sticks

Using an oil sprayer, spray a thin layer of oil on the cheese sticks to make them crispy and golden-brown.

7. Cook the Cheese Sticks in the Air Fryer

Now, cook your cheese sticks in the air fryer for 5 minutes, then flip them over and again spray the oil on the other side. Cook them for an additional 3–5 minutes until crispy and golden brown.

8. Serve

Finally, take out the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer and place them on a plate. Serve them hot with your favorite dip.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks that will help you make the perfect mozzarella sticks in the air fryer every time!

1. Choose Fresh Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Fresh mozzarella cheese sticks make the best mozzarella sticks. It is important to make sure they are fresh and not stale.

2. Do Not Overcrowd the Air Fryer Basket

Making sure your mozzarella sticks are not touching each other will ensure that they cook evenly, and the cheese does not melt everywhere.

3. Keep an Eye on Them While Cooking

Periodically check the mozzarella sticks while cooking to ensure that they are cooked perfectly and evenly.

4. Do Not Overcook

Overcooking mozzarella sticks in the air fryer can lead to the cheese melting and oozing out. It is important to keep an eye on them and take them out as soon as they are perfectly crispy and golden-brown.

5. Serve with Your Favorite Dip

Serve hot mozzarella sticks with your favorite dip to enhance their flavor and taste.

Making mozzarella sticks in the air fryer is easy and fun. By following these simple steps and tips, you can make the perfect crispy and gooey mozzarella sticks every time!

Ingredients You’ll Need

If you’re craving for some delicious mozzarella sticks, then you should try making them in an air fryer. To make the perfect mozzarella sticks, you’ll need the following ingredients:

1. Mozzarella cheese sticks – you can use either string cheese or cut mozzarella cheese into the shape of a stick.
2. Panko bread crumbs – these are the Japanese-style bread crumbs that give the mozzarella sticks a crispy texture.
3. Flour – used as a coating for the cheese before dipping it in the egg.
4. Eggs – beaten eggs will be used to create an egg wash to coat the cheese before dipping it into the bread crumbs.
5. Salt – you’ll need a pinch of salt to add some flavor to the bread crumbs.
6. Garlic powder – optional. Add this to the bread crumbs to add some flavor.

Preparing the Cheese Sticks

Now that you’ve gathered all the ingredients, we can start preparing the mozzarella sticks.

1. Begin by cutting the cheese sticks to your desired size, but don’t make them too thin.
2. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, and garlic powder. This mixture will be used to coat the cheese sticks before the egg wash and bread crumbs.
3. Beat two eggs separately in another bowl to create an egg wash.
4. In another bowl, mix the panko bread crumbs with salt, garlic powder, and any other seasoning you desire.

Assembling the Mozzarella Sticks

Now that you’ve prepared all the ingredients, it’s time to assemble the mozzarella sticks.

1. Take a cheese stick and coat it in the flour mixture. Make sure the cheese is fully coated.
2. Dip the cheese stick in the beaten eggs to coat it.
3. Roll the cheese stick in the bread crumbs mixture until it’s fully coated.
4. Keep repeating the above steps until you have all the cheese sticks coated and ready for frying.

Preheating Your Air Fryer

It’s essential to preheat the air fryer before placing the mozzarella sticks in it.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
2. Depending on your air fryer, preheating it may take 3-5 minutes.

Cooking Your Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

Now that your air fryer is preheated, it’s time to cook the mozzarella sticks.

1. Lightly coat the mozzarella sticks with cooking spray or oil.
2. Place them in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching each other, and spray the tops with cooking spray or oil.
3. Cook the mozzarella sticks for 5-7 minutes until they’re golden brown. You can flip them halfway through cooking for even browning.

Serving Your Delicious Mozzarella Sticks

Now that your mozzarella sticks are perfectly crisp, remove them from the basket and let them cool slightly before serving.

1. Serve your delicious mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or any other dipping sauce you like.
2. You can also sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.

Storing Your Mozzarella Sticks

If you have leftovers, you can easily store them for later.

1. Place the leftover mozzarella sticks in an airtight container or resealable bag.
2. You can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
3. When ready to eat, reheat them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 375°F until heated through.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you make the best mozzarella sticks in the air fryer:

1. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket as it can affect the cooking time and evenness of the cheese sticks.
2. If your cheese starts oozing out of the stick, you may have coated them incorrectly with flour, egg or bread crumbs.
3. Experiment with different seasonings to customize your mozzarella sticks to your desired flavor.

Conclusion

Making mozzarella sticks in the air fryer is a simple and delicious snack that’s perfect for any occasion. With these easy steps and simple ingredients, you can have hot and crispy mozzarella sticks in minutes. By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to make the perfect mozzarella sticks every time!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Making mozzarella sticks in the air fryer is easy, and best of all, you don’t require many ingredients. Here are the ingredients you’d need to get started with your air fryer mozzarella:

Preparing the Mozzarella Sticks for Air Frying

Before you proceed with air frying your mozzarella sticks, it is essential to prepare them correctly to achieve that satisfying crispy texture:

Cutting the Cheese

Start by cutting the mozzarella sticks lengthwise in half to make 12 pieces in total.

Coating the Mozzarella Sticks

Get three bowls and mix the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in one bowl. Beat the egg in the second bowl and pour the breadcrumbs in the third bowl.

Dredge the mozzarella sticks by first dipping them in the seasoned flour, shaking off the excess, then into the beaten egg. Lastly, roll them in the breadcrumb mixture until they are fully coated.

Freezing the Coated Mozzarella Sticks

Place the coated sticks in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then place it in the freezer for at least one hour or overnight. This will help them retain their shape and texture when cooking in the air fryer.

Preheating the Air Fryer

While you’re waiting for your mozzarella sticks to chill in the freezer, preheat your air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes.

Air Frying the Mozzarella Sticks

Line the basket of the air fryer with parchment paper, then spray it with cooking spray. Place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the basket of your air fryer, making sure they are not touching each other. Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp on the outside.

Serving Your Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Once you are done air frying the mozzarella sticks, remove them from the basket, and plate them with marinara dipping sauce on the side. You can serve your air fryer mozzarella sticks as an appetizer during a gathering or as a snack when binge-watching your favorite shows. Enjoy!

Time to Dip, Crunch, and Munch!

Well my fellow cheese lovers, now that you know how to make delicious mozzarella sticks in the air fryer, it’s time to get cookin’! Remember to preheat your fryer and coat your sticks well with breadcrumbs. And of course, don’t forget to whip up some marinara sauce for dipping. We hope you enjoyed this recipe and feel inspired to create more tasty treats in your air fryer. Thanks for reading and be sure to visit us again for more creative and simple recipes! Happy frying!