Cook and serve these cheese sticks right away or freeze them for an easy make-ahead recipe! These Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are a healthier version of a classic appetizer! They’re gooey, cheesy, golden-brown, crispy, and have all of the delicious flavors and textures of deep-fried cheese sticks but without all the excess oil. One of my favorite parts about this recipe is that you can choose to cook and serve them right away OR you can freeze them to be air fried later on! Don’t we all love a good make-ahead recipe? Serve them as quick and easy, kid-friendly snacks, or serve them at your next party with other easy cheesy appetizers like buffalo chicken dip, this Snickers Cheese Ball, and these Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Ingredients for Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
This air fryer appetizer is made up of simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Some of these you probably already have in your fridge or pantry!
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: you can also slice your own mozzarella cheese sticks from a block of cheese, but ready-to-go cheese sticks make this recipe that much quicker. Eggs and Milk: helps the breading stick to the cheese. Panko Breadcrumbs and Flour: the flour helps absorb moisture while the breadcrumbs give the exterior of the cheese sticks that golden-brown color and crispy texture. Seasonings: I use a simple blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
How to make mozzarella sticks in the air fryer
These air fryer mozza sticks take just 20 minutes to prep!
Tips and tricks
Grease the basket. This helps prevent the cheese sticks from sticking. Use non-aerosol spray. Aerosol products can damage the lining of the air fryer basket. Cook in a single layer. The cheese sticks need room around them for the air to circulate. If they’re piled on top of one another, they’ll be soggy rather than crispy. Spray the cheese sticks. I always spritz the outside of the cheese sticks with cooking spray before I air fry them. This helps them get deliciously golden-brown and crispy. Play with seasonings. I love to keep the combination of garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning but you can totally get creative. Try the breading with taco seasoning, cajun seasoning, or add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to kick the heat up a notch.
More air fryer recipes you’ll love
JUICY Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Air Fryer Meatballs
Air Fryer Potatoes
Air Fryer Burgers
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