Air-Frying Frozen Mozzarella Sticks: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryer frozen mozzarella cheese sticks are a quick and easy snack to make. They are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, and can be cooked in under 10 minutes. The best temperature to cook them at is 360 degrees Fahrenheit, and they should not be thawed before cooking.

How to make homemade mozzarella sticks

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (106 g) plain Panko
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon table salt
• ½ cup (63 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 lb whole milk mozzarella block or 15 whole milk string cheese
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Marinara sauce for dipping

Utensils:

• Medium-sized saucepan
• 3 shallow bowls
• Wire cooling rack
• Baking sheet
• Freezer-safe container
• Freezer
• Thermometer

Method:

• Place the panko crumbs in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin or mallet to crush until fine crumbs are formed.
• Pour the crushed panko into a shallow dish and add Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Stir to combine.
• In a separate shallow bowl, crack and beat two large eggs with a whisk or a fork until scrambled.
• Pour the all-purpose flour into another shallow bowl.
• If using a mozzarella block, cut widthwise into 15 sticks.
• Working with one stick at a time, dip the cheese into the flour and shake off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten egg, letting any excess drip off. Finally, dip it into the panko crumb mixture, ensuring the entire cheese stick is coated.
• Place a wire cooking rack on a baking sheet and lay the breaded mozzarella sticks on it. Once all the sticks are dipped, transfer the sheet to the freezer and chill for at least an hour.
• While the sticks are in the freezer, fill a medium-sized saucepan 3" deep with vegetable oil. Attach a thermometer to the side, ensuring it is suspended halfway into the oil and not touching the bottom of the pot. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
• Remove the sticks from the freezer and fry them two at a time until golden brown (about 1 minute). Make sure the oil returns to temperature before frying the next batch.
• Serve warm with marinara sauce.

Tips:

• It is important to use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature.
• If you are not frying immediately, transfer the sticks to a sealed container and store them in the freezer.
• Panko is the key to achieving a crispy exterior. If desired, use a rolling pin to crush the panko down a bit before adding the seasonings.
• Whole milk mozzarella has a better flavour and typically yields more sticks than string cheese.
• If you are planning to bake or air fry instead of frying, use cooking spray instead of vegetable oil.
• Make sure to coat the sticks very well. Any areas missing breading may allow the cheese to escape during frying.

How to store and reheat mozzarella sticks

Mozzarella sticks are a great snack, but what do you do when you have leftovers? Here is a guide on how to store and reheat them to maintain that crispy, crunchy outside and melty cheese inside.

Storing Mozzarella Sticks

To store mozzarella sticks, place them in an airtight container lined with paper towels and keep them in the fridge for up to five days. The paper towels will soak up any excess moisture and help keep the coating crunchy. Always wait until the mozzarella sticks are completely cool before storing them. If you don't, condensation will build up and make your sticks soggy.

You can also freeze mozzarella sticks. They freeze well and can be stored for up to six months in an airtight container. To avoid the sticks sticking together, you can flash freeze them by spreading them out on a tray and placing them in the freezer for an hour, or until frozen solid, before transferring them to a freezer bag.

Reheating Mozzarella Sticks

The best ways to reheat mozzarella sticks are in the oven, air fryer, or skillet.

• Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) for refrigerated mozzarella sticks or 425°F (220°C) for frozen ones. Place the sticks on a wire rack or preheated oven tray and heat for 5-10 minutes, or 10-20 minutes if frozen.
• Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and optionally spray each stick lightly with oil. Place the sticks in the basket, leaving a small space between each one. Heat refrigerated sticks for 3-5 minutes or frozen ones for 8-10 minutes.
• Skillet: Set your stovetop to medium-high heat and add oil to a skillet, covering the entire bottom. When the oil is hot, add the mozzarella sticks and fry for 4-5 minutes, turning frequently. Let the sticks rest on a paper towel for 30 seconds before serving to remove excess oil.

You can also reheat mozzarella sticks in the microwave or a deep fryer, but these methods may result in soggier, oilier sticks.

What temperature to cook mozzarella sticks at

Mozzarella sticks are a great snack to cook in an air fryer, and it's super easy to do so. The ideal temperature to cook mozzarella sticks in an air fryer is between 360°F and 390°F.

If you're using frozen mozzarella sticks, you can cook them straight from the freezer without needing to thaw them first. This is because air fryers cook from the outside in, so it's important to make sure your mozzarella sticks are frozen before air-frying. If they're even a little soggy, the coating will fall off.

When cooking, make sure to leave enough room around the cheese sticks to allow the hot air to fully circulate. You should also flip them halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly.

If you're cooking frozen mozzarella sticks, the air fryer temperature should be set to 360°F. Air fry the cheese sticks for 4 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown.

If you're cooking fresh, homemade mozzarella sticks, you can set the temperature a little higher, at 390°F. Spray the air fryer basket and the mozzarella sticks with a nonstick cooking spray, then air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, until the exterior is golden and crispy.

If you're reheating mozzarella sticks, set the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is gooey and the coating is crispy.

There you have it! The perfect mozzarella sticks, cooked to perfection in your air fryer.

What to serve with mozzarella sticks

Mozzarella sticks are a versatile snack that can be served with a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas for what to serve with them:

Sauces and Dips

Mozzarella sticks are commonly served with a dipping sauce on the side. While marinara sauce is a classic pairing, you can also get creative and experiment with different sauces. Some popular options include ranch, BBQ sauce, salsa, hot sauce, tzatziki, alfredo, ketchup, buffalo sauce, and honey mustard. You can also try making your own sauce with your secret ingredients!

Salads

If you're looking for something fresh and healthy to balance out the fried mozzarella sticks, consider serving them with a salad. A simple tomato salad with herbs and spices is a great option, or you can go for a more complex Caesar salad. You can also try pairing the mozzarella sticks with a heartier salad like a balsamic tomato salad or a salad with seasonal vegetables.

Appetizers and Snacks

Mozzarella sticks make a great appetizer or snack on their own, but you can also serve them alongside other bite-sized treats. Pigs in a blanket, jalapeno poppers, and spinach balls are some tasty options. If you're looking for something more substantial, try chicken wings, Italian sub sliders, or mini bell peppers stuffed with goat cheese and herbs.

Main Courses

For a more filling meal, serve mozzarella sticks with a main course like pesto pasta, sheet pan pizza, grilled chicken, steak, or fish. You can also make it a true comfort food feast by pairing the mozzarella sticks with mac and cheese or tomato soup.

Sides

To round out your meal, include some side dishes like garlic bread, crispy vegetables (such as breaded green beans, cauliflower, or broccoli), pickles, or tater tots (totchos). These sides will add texture and flavor to your meal and make it even more enjoyable.

How to reheat mozzarella sticks

There are several ways to reheat mozzarella sticks, depending on whether they are frozen or refrigerated, and whether you want to reheat shop-bought or homemade sticks.

If you have frozen, shop-bought mozzarella sticks, the best way to reheat them is to use an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F and cook the mozzarella sticks for 3-4 minutes, turning them halfway through. Keep a close eye on them as they reheat, as they may split open if you leave them for too long.

If you have refrigerated, shop-bought mozzarella sticks, you can use a toaster oven. Set the temperature to 350 degrees F and reheat for 5-10 minutes. Again, keep a close eye on them as they can go from ready to overcooked very quickly.

If you have homemade mozzarella sticks, the best way to reheat them is in a regular oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Put a layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking dish, then place the frozen, pre-cooked mozzarella sticks on top. Cover with another layer of tomato sauce and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Bake for 35-45 minutes.

You can also reheat homemade mozzarella sticks in an air fryer, following the same instructions as for shop-bought sticks.

Frequently asked questions