Easy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are the perfect homemade snack that will satisfy both kids and adults alike. Skip ordering the deep-fried cheese guilt sticks when you’re out or buying the them from the freezer section of the grocery store.
Enjoy a really special treat and whip up some of these mozzarella cheese sticks at home. Made from egg wrappers and melty cheese, these Air Fried Cheese Sticks are sure to be a hit.
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Homemade Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are perfect for game day, parties, or anytime you need a quick snack or appetizer. I love easy Air Fryer recipes like this, such as my Air Fryer Baked Potato, Chicken Wings and, delicious Fried Green Beans.
Why You’ll Love Easy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
You only need 3 ingredients – doesn’t get much simpler than that. You can of course, add more ingredients with my variations below, if you desire
No deep frying – take traditional string cheese snacks up a notch without a deep fryer
Turns afterschool snack break on fire with homemade mozzarella sticks
Less messy – no need for messy panko breadcrumbs or multiple dipping steps with this cheesy appetizer
Tasty snack ready in less than 10 minutes – quick, fast, and in a hurry!
Just as delicious yet different than your traditional breaded and deep-fried cheese sticks
Healthier than deep frying and made out of an egg roll wrapper instead of breadcrumbs or breading
Ingredients
Only 3 simple ingredients are needed to make this recipe. Get the full recipe and ingredient quantities in the recipe card below.
Mozzarella sticks: Be sure to use string cheese as it is typically a low-fat mozzarella cheese product that has been specially processed to pull apart into “strings”. It will melt nicely in the fryer and be a perfectly gooey cheese when you bite into this golden brown air fried to perfection appetizer.
Egg roll wrappers: Make sure to use these instead of wonton wrappers which are too small and spring roll wrappers which are too thin and do not have the same ingredients.
Egg: Whisking a large egg into what is called an egg wash helps to seal the edges of the egg roll wrapper. Beaten eggs brushed on your air fryer mozzarella sticks add a glossy finish and nice golden coloring when fried.
How To Make Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Preheat the Air Fryer to 385°F.
Place parchment paper in the Air Fryer basket or tray.
Whisk the eggs until just blended.
Brush a little of the egg mixture on the inside of the pointed end of the wrapper before sealing.
Arrange the sticks on the parchment paper in the air fryer.
Air fry for 4 minutes until browned and crispy all over.
Serve hot with dipping sauce.
Top Tips
- Preheat your Air Fryer before using it. Cooking times vary between different Air Fryers brands and models so please check your manual if needed. Check the mozzarella sticks at the 3 or 4-minute mark to see how your fryer cooks them to determine how much time is needed.
- Make sure to place your sticks in a single layer in the basket or Air Fryer rack so the hot air can properly circulate around the cheese sticks to ensure that they cook properly and evenly.
Variations
Here are a few different ways to make these fried mozzarella sticks:
- To make garlicky sticks: Add a teaspoon of garlic powder to the egg wash mixture.
- Italian seasoning: Add a teaspoon of an Italian seasoning blend to the egg wash mixture.
- For extra crispy mozzarella sticks: Brush the wrapped sticks with oil and roll in a seasoned bread crumb mixture or a Panko mixture. Mist with oil before air frying.
- If you want your mozzarella sticks to have more of the oil-fried taste that you are used to with traditional sticks then the best way is to use cooking oil with them. I recommend using a pastry brush to brush it on or get an oil mister with pure oil of any kind added to it. Do not use cooking spray directly in the fryer as that can damage the non-stick finish inside. However, you can use a non-stick cooking spray if you spray the cheese sticks before adding them to the parchment line basket.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve these mozzarella string cheese sticks with various dipping sauces, like BBQ sauce, blue cheese, ranch dressing, or a homemade marinara sauce.
Storage and Food Safety
To freeze them uncooked air fryer mozzarella stick, simply transfer the prepared sticks to a baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes up to 2 hours before transferring them to an airtight container to store them in the freezer for 2-3 months. To cook air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks, add 1 to 2 minutes to the air frying time listed in the recipe card.
To store leftovers, let them cool completely and then place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat them and bring them back to crispy perfection, place mozzarella sticks back in the fryer for 2-3 minutes at 385F.
Jump right in and make some gooey mozzarella sticks in the air fryer!
FAQs
How long do you cook mozzarella sticks in the air fryer?
Air fryer mozzarella sticks usually take 6 to 8 minutes total at 385°F, turning once halfway through. In your recipe, they cook for 4 minutes, then get turned and finished for 2 to 4 more minutes until browned and crisp.
What temperature do you air fry mozzarella sticks at?
For this recipe, air fry mozzarella sticks at 385°F. That temperature is hot enough to crisp the wrapper quickly while giving the cheese time to melt without going too far.
Why do mozzarella sticks burst or leak in the air fryer?
Mozzarella sticks usually burst when they cook too long or the wrapper is not sealed well. Brushing the edge with egg wash, sealing the wrapper tightly, and checking the sticks early helps keep the cheese inside.
Do you need to flip mozzarella sticks in the air fryer?
Yes. Flipping mozzarella sticks halfway through helps them brown more evenly on both sides. In your method, that means turning them after the first 4 minutes of cooking.
Can you reheat mozzarella sticks in the air fryer?
Yes. Reheat mozzarella sticks in the air fryer at 385°F for 2 to 3 minutes until the outside is crisp again and the cheese is warmed through. Let them cool slightly before eating so the cheese does not spill out too fast.
Easy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 6 pieces string cheese
- 6 egg roll wrappers
- 1 egg
- Canola oil optional, see tip
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 385°F.
- Line the air fryer basket or tray with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, add the egg and beat with a fork or a whisk just until blended.
- Place a mozzarella stick on one corner of an egg roll wrapper. Fold the corner end over the mozzarella stick and continue rolling until the center of the wrapper. Fold in the sides of the wrapper and continue rolling until just before the end.
- Brush a little of the egg mixture on the inside of the pointed end of the wrapper. Fold up the wrapper and gently push to seal the wrapper closed. Brush the rolled mozzarella stick completely with more of the egg mixture. Arrange the sticks in the air fryer. Lightly brush the sticks with cooking oil, if using. (see cook's tip)
- Air fry for 4 minutes or until browned and slightly crispy. Turn the sticks, brush with oil, and air fry for 2 to 4 minutes or until browned and crispy all over.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Cooks Tips
- Garlicky sticks: Add a teaspoon of garlic powder to the egg wash mixture.
- Italian seasoning: Add a teaspoon of an Italian seasoning blend to the egg wash mixture.
- Extra crispy mozzarella sticks: Brush the wrapped sticks with oil and roll in seasoned bread crumbs or a combination of regular and Panko crumbs. Mist with oil before air frying.
