Easy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (From Frozen)
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Air fryer mozzarella sticks are a great appetizer for hangouts, parties, and game day. Enjoy them as-is or add a bowl of your favorite dip!
Everyone will love these air fryer cheese sticks, and they are so easy to make! In just 5 minutes you’ll have a quick, delicious snack or you can cook multiple batches to feed a crowd.
These are cooked just right to achieve a nice crisp outer shell with gooey cheese on the inside and nothing leaking out.
If you have more time try our homemade mozzarella sticks, they are easy and delicious! Or even our TGI Friday’s copycat mozzarella sticks, there’s options!
Pair them with my 5-minute marinara or buttermilk ranch dressing and you’re all set!
Looking for more easy appetizers? Use this handy countertop appliance to make crispy pickles, garlic knots, chicken wings, and more!
There’s nothing like golden brown goodness filled with melty cheese.
Air fry mozzarella sticks prove that frozen sticks from the local grocery store can taste homemade in the air fryer!
We’re obsessed with this cheesy appetizer – and I love pairing it with my favorite marinara sauce.
The only thing that I have to warn you about this that the melted cheese of these mozz sticks are quite addictive, so get ready to crave this tasty snack.
I make these crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks quite a bit because they’re the best appetizers and easy snack with a minimal cook time.
It’s like having the texture of deep-fried foods, but air fryer style.
That means that you can get crunchy mozzarella sticks by using hot air, and less oil and grease. To me, that’s an added bonus of this cheesy goodness recipe!
Who knew that frozen cheese sticks could taste this good? While I do love making homemade air fryer mozzarella sticks, I’m also a big fan of making these perfect frozen mozzarella sticks as well.
There’s no prep work, and you still get that awesome stringy cheese texture, without having to put a lot of work in this recipe.
This is what makes this such an easy appetizer!
Instructions For Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Just preheat and cook – that’s all there is to it!
It’s a good idea to flip them halfway through so they are crispy on all sides. Also, let them cool for a few minutes before serving so you don’t burn your mouth.
The most important thing to remember is that you want to place the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the bottom of the air fryer basket.
The coated cheese sticks need space for the hot air to circulate for the best results.
I used Farm Rich frozen mozzarella cheese sticks, so you may need to adjust the overall time for different brands to avoid cheesy explosions.
Keep in mind that the goal here was quick and easy. This recipe will not translate well if you are making yours from scratch.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
- Cook straight from the freezer. If you let them sit on the counter while preheating, the listed times will not be correct and the cheese may ooze out.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket. More food at once will take longer to heat, plus there will be soggy spots wherever the frozen mozzarella sticks are touching.
- Watch them towards the end. During the last minute or so, check for any cracking or cheese spilling out and pull them early if that’s the case.
- Still undercooked? Pop them back in for 1-minute increments until done.
- Tip for making adjustments: If your air fryer mozzarella sticks are consistently oozing cheese, decrease the temperature by 10 degrees and try again.
FAQ – Common Recipe Questions
Leftovers should be good for about a week when stored in a sealed container. Check your product packaging for storage instructions, as each brand may be slightly different.
There are plenty of options and your imagination (and taste buds!) are the only real limit. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Honey mustard
Sweet chili sauce
Fresh Basil Pesto
French onion dip
Tomato soup
Strawberry Habanero Spread
Plum sauce
Start with 2-3 minutes at 325°F and then add more time if needed.
I wouldn’t recommend using the microwave since they tend to come out soggy. Plus, you may find that some spots are too hot to eat while the center is still cold.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Easy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (From Frozen)
Ingredients
- 8-10 mozzarella sticks, frozen
Garnish
- Marinara sauce and chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
- Place 8-10 frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the bottom of your air fryer basket. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stopping to flip halfway through, or until golden brown.
- Remove promptly from the air fryer basket and allow to cool for 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with marinara sauce and top with chopped parsley, if desired.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published April 2021, updated and republished May 2024
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Going to try the homemade ones next time! These were great!
They look like they have a breading on them. Am I missing something?
Made these for a party and they were a huge hit! So simple to make.
Hi Camila!
We’re so glad you enjoyed.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn