How To Cook Frozen Mozzarella Sticks In Air Fryer Recipe

I’m sharing a simple trick for Frozen Mozzarella Sticks in the air fryer that readers keep asking me to reveal.

I started messing with frozen mozzarella sticks because I was tired of soggy microwaved cheese. Using my air fryer turned them into crispy, oozy little miracles every single time, and yes it feels almost unfair.

I usually grab frozen mozzarella sticks and a jar of marinara or pizza sauce for dipping. There’s something about that crunch and the molten center that makes you want to show off to friends.

If you like easy party food this is your go to Frozen Mozzarella Sticks find, you’re gonna wonder why you waited so long.

Ingredients

• Really cheesy, good protein and calcium, breading adds carbs and fat, kinda indulgent.
• Lightly coats for crisping, adds heart healthy monounsaturated fats, minimal calories if used sparingly.
• Tomato based, low fat, vitamin C and lycopene rich, tangy with a little sweetness.
• Creamy dips, add fat and sodium, ranch tangy, garlic butter richer and more buttery.
• Umami packed, salty, adds protein and calcium, tiny sprinkle gives big flavor punch.
• Bright herb, low calorie, vitamin K, fresh taste that cuts richness and dresses it up.

Ingredient Quantities

• 12 to 16 frozen mozzarella sticks (about 10 to 12 oz)
• cooking spray (olive oil or avocado), as needed
• 1/2 to 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce for dipping (store bought or homemade)
• optional: 1/2 cup ranch dressing or garlic butter for extra dipping
• optional: 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
• optional: 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for garnish

How to Make this

1. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F for about 3 to 5 minutes so it’s nice and hot when the sticks go in.

2. Arrange 12 to 16 frozen mozzarella sticks (about 10 to 12 oz) in a single layer in the basket, leave space between them so the hot air can circulate; do batches if needed.

3. Lightly mist the sticks with cooking spray (olive oil or avocado). You can also spray the basket first so they don’t stick, but don’t soak them or they’ll get soggy.

4. Cook at 390°F for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping once halfway through (around the 3 to 4 minute mark) so both sides get golden and crispy.

5. Keep an eye on them the last minute or two because different brands vary; pull them when they’re golden brown and the coating is crisp but before cheese starts to ooze out.

6. Use tongs to remove the sticks and let them rest 1 to 2 minutes on a plate so the cheese firms up a bit, otherwise you’ll get molten cheese all over your fingers.

7. Serve with 1/2 to 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce for dipping; you can also offer 1/2 cup ranch or warmed garlic butter as an extra option.

8. Optional finish: sprinkle about 2 tbsp grated Parmesan and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the hot sticks for a quick flavor boost.

9. Extra tips: don’t thaw the sticks first, don’t overcrowd the basket, and if your air fryer runs hot try 375°F and add 1 to 2 minutes to avoid bursting cheese.

Equipment Needed

1. Air fryer with basket, preheat to 390°F so it’s nice and hot (3 to 5 min)
2. Silicone tipped tongs for flipping and pulling the sticks out without poking holes in the crust
3. Oil mister or cooking spray (olive or avocado) to lightly coat the sticks or basket
4. Perforated parchment rounds or an air fryer liner, optional but handy to keep things from sticking
5. Plate or serving platter to rest the sticks for 1 to 2 minutes so the cheese firms up
6. Small bowls or ramekins for marinara, ranch or garlic butter dipping plus a 1 cup measuring cup for portions
7. Paper towels or a kitchen cloth for quick clean ups and to blot any drips
8. Small grater and a knife or herb snips for the optional Parmesan and chopped parsley garnish

FAQ

How To Cook Frozen Mozzarella Sticks In Air Fryer Recipe Substitutions and Variations

How To Cook Frozen Mozzarella Sticks In Air Fryer

• 12 to 16 frozen mozzarella sticks (about 10 to 12 oz)
• cooking spray (olive oil or avocado), as needed
• 1/2 to 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce for dipping (store bought or homemade)
• optional: 1/2 cup ranch dressing or garlic butter for extra dipping
• optional: 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
• optional: 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Quick steps
1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 to 5 minutes. A little preheat helps them crisp.
2. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray or brush a tiny bit of oil. This stops sticking and gives a golden crust.
3. Place the frozen sticks in a single layer, not touching. Work in batches if needed. Overcrowding = soggy outsides.
4. Lightly spray the tops of the sticks with oil. This helps browning and keeps crumbs from going pale.
5. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes. At about the 3 or 4 minute mark flip or shake the basket so they brown evenly.
6. Check at 6 minutes. If they are deeply golden and the center feels soft, they’re done. If not, give 1 to 2 more minutes but watch close so cheese doesnt leak out.
7. Remove with tongs and let rest 1 to 2 minutes. The cheese is molten and will burn mouths if eaten right away.
8. Serve with marinara or pizza sauce, or use ranch or garlic butter. Sprinkle Parmesan and parsley if you like.

Pro tips and common mistakes
– Dont thaw mozzarella sticks. They’ll go mushy and leak when you cook them.
– If your air fryer runs hot, drop temp to 350°F and add a minute or two to cook time.
– Use parchment rounds with holes or foil with holes if you hate cleaning crumbs, but dont block airflow.
– If a lot of cheese oozes out, next time cook a touch cooler or shorten the time by 30 seconds then check.

Substitutions

• cooking spray (olive oil or avocado) -> brush with 1 tsp olive oil or melted butter per batch; or use a light mist of canola oil spray
• marinara or pizza sauce -> try spicy arrabbiata, pesto for a fresh twist, or a simple jarred salsa for something different
• ranch dressing or garlic butter -> blue cheese dip, honey mustard, or a quick sriracha mayo are great swaps
• grated Parmesan -> grated Pecorino Romano or 2 tbsp nutritional yeast for a cheesy vegan note

Pro Tips

1) Do a tiny test batch first — cook 2 or 3 sticks to see how your fryer handles that brand, then tweak temp/time. Brands vary a lot, so if you see cheese starting to ooze lower the temp by about 10 to 15°F and add a minute or two instead of nuking them.

2) If the sticks looked soft in the box or sat out a bit, shove them back in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking. Firmer sticks are way less likely to burst and make a mess.

3) Use only a light mist of oil, dont drown them, because too much makes the coating soggy. For extra crunch try gently pressing a tiny bit of panko or crushed cornflakes onto the frozen coating right before air frying, it sticks surprisingly well if you press it on.

4) Let them rest a minute after they come out, you dont want molten cheese all over your fingers. Also warm your dipping sauce while they cook — dipping them hot into warm sauce makes them taste way better.