Ditch the freezer aisle in favor of the best homemade mozzarella sticks made in the air fryer (or oven!) with just 4 ingredients!
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I have a soft spot for mozzarella sticks. One bite instantly takes me back to my college days at Northwestern, where late-night orders of fried cheese were practically a rite of passage. And while Gino’s East had some of the best in town, nothing beats making them at home in your air fryer. Crispy and golden brown on the outside, melted stretchy mozzarella on the inside.
Add a side of marinara sauce or ranch dressing, and you’ve got an easy, cheesy appetizer that’s perfect for game day, movie night or anytime a fried cheese craving strikes. No air fryer? No problem! This homemade mozzarella sticks recipe can be baked in the oven instead!
My Not-So-Secret Tricks for Perfect Mozzarella Sticks
The key to making homemade mozzarella sticks that are totally pizza shop-worthy comes down to three simple tricks:
- Dredging the cheese in flour. This extra step creates a dry base for the eggs to cling to, ensuring the breadcrumbs stick properly. Skip the flour, and you risk the coating sliding right off.
- Cooking from frozen. Just a quick, 30-minute chill in the freezer keeps the cheese from melting too quickly and oozing out before the outside gets golden and crisp.
- Using panko breadcrumbs for the ultimate crunch. Unlike traditional breadcrumbs, panko is light and airy, which means it fries (or in this case, air-fries!) up extra crispy.
- Mozzarella string cheese: The classic choice! While you can technically use any firm cheese that holds its shape when heated, I prefer string cheese for its perfectly portioned size and ease of coating. Varieties like provolone, cheddar or even pepper jack also make delicious fried cheese sticks.
- Flour: I like to season the flour with a pinch of salt and pepper for added flavor.
- Eggs: Beaten eggs act as the binding agent, helping the breadcrumbs adhere to the cheese sticks.
- Panko breadcrumbs: You can use plain or Italian-style panko, depending on how much built-in seasoning you want. If you’re going plain, I recommend stirring in some Italian seasoning, garlic powder or your favorite spices for added flavor.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, essentially acting like a small convection oven. This allows your food to get perfectly crispy on all sides without the need for deep frying. It’s been a game-changer in my kitchen for everything from jalapeño poppers to chicken nuggets.
But air fryer mozzarella sticks might just be my favorite—they come out perfectly crunchy on the outside and irresistibly gooey on the inside. If you’re new to air frying, check out my guide to air frying, where I share my favorite air fryer, top tips and go-to recipes.
- Start by cutting the string cheese in half width-wise. This creates the perfect bite-sized pieces that cook evenly and are easier to handle.
- Dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip into the eggs, and finally, coat each in the breadcrumbs. Place the breaded mozzarella sticks onto a plate or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Freeze for 30 minutes.
- Coat the frozen mozzarella sticks on all sides with cooking spray then add them to the air fryer.
- Air-fry the mozzarella sticks for 5 to 7 minutes at 380°F until golden brown. Remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Kelly’s Note: All air fryers vary in intensity and heat circulation. If you start to see cheese escaping from the mozzarella sticks, it’s time to remove them!
Storage and Freezing Instructions
- Leftovers: Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best texture, reheat them in the air fryer until crispy—avoid the microwave, which can make them soggy.
- Freezing: Arrange the breaded, uncooked mozzarella sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Cooking from frozen:
- Air fryer: Reduce the temperature to 360°F and increase the cook time to 8-10 minutes to ensure they cook through and get perfectly gooey inside.
- Oven: Bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes, or until hot and crispy.
What’s Your Favorite Dipping Sauce?
The only thing left to decide is—what are you dunking these crispy, cheesy bites into? Are you a marinara purist? A ranch devotee? Or do you like to push the limits with spicy ketchup or barbecue sauce? Maybe you go all out with beer cheese sauce?! Let me know your go-to dip in the comments below!
More Air Fryer Appetizers To Try
Ingredients
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs (plain or Italian style)
- Cooking spray
- Marinara sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, cut the mozzarella sticks in half width-wise.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour with ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper.
- In a second shallow dish, whisk together the eggs.
- In a third shallow dish, add the breadcrumbs.
- Dredge the mozzarella sticks in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip the mozzarella sticks into the eggs then coat them in the breadcrumbs. Transfer the coated mozzarella sticks onto a plate then place them in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
- Coat the frozen mozzarella sticks on all sides with cooking spray then add them to the air fryer.
- Air-fry the mozzarella sticks until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.
Kelly’s Notes
- Air frying: All air fryers vary in intensity and heat circulation. If you start to see cheese escaping from the mozzarella sticks, it’s time to remove them.
- Baking instructions: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these from the frozen state in a 400°F oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Freezing: Arrange the breaded, uncooked mozzarella sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Reduce the temperature to 360°F and increase the cook time to 8-10 minutes to ensure they cook through and get perfectly gooey inside.
- Dipping Sauces: Mozzarella sticks are even better with the perfect dip! Try them with homemade marinara sauce for a classic pairing, buttermilk ranch dressing for a creamy contrast, barbecue sauce for a smoky twist or spicy ketchup for a little heat!
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
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Please make recipes printable
Hi Sally! You can print the recipe by clicking on the printer icon within the recipe card. :)
I have enjoyed making your recipes. I would like to know what type of air fryer you use.
I’m so thrilled you’re enjoying Just a Taste, Lee! I have a Cosori Air Fryer Pro II that I absolutely love! (I’ve added an affiliate link to Amazon.) It has a really large basket size, plus I love how intuitive and easy it is to use.