Air-Frying Cheesy Goodness: How Long For The Perfect Melt?

Air fryers are a great way to make cheese sticks, whether you're using a homemade recipe or a store-bought, frozen variety. The cooking time for cheese sticks in an air fryer varies depending on the type of cheese and the desired level of crispness, but generally, they take around 5-10 minutes to cook at temperatures between 360-400°F. It's important to keep an eye on them while they're cooking, as they can quickly go from crispy to burnt, or from melted to exploded!

How to prevent cheese from oozing out

To prevent cheese from oozing out of mozzarella sticks in the air fryer, there are several methods you can try.

Firstly, it is important to note that cooking at a lower temperature, such as 360 degrees Fahrenheit, can help prevent the mozzarella sticks from splitting open and oozing cheese. Additionally, flipping the sticks halfway through cooking can help you gauge their doneness and prevent overcooking.

Another crucial step is to double-coat the mozzarella sticks before air frying. Dip the sticks in a lightly beaten egg, followed by breadcrumbs, and then freeze for a short period. Repeat this process to add a second coating before air frying. This helps ensure that the coating doesn't slide off during cooking, which can cause the cheese to ooze out.

Furthermore, it is recommended to freeze the mozzarella sticks completely before air frying. This helps the coating stick to the cheese and prevents it from falling off during cooking. If the sticks are soggy or not frozen enough, the coating is more likely to fall off, leading to cheese oozing out.

When placing the sticks in the air fryer, ensure they are in a single layer with enough space for hot air to circulate. Crowding or stacking the sticks can cause uneven cooking and increase the chances of cheese oozing out.

Lastly, keep a close eye on the mozzarella sticks during cooking and check their progress frequently. Depending on your air fryer model, the cooking time may vary, so it's important to monitor the sticks to prevent overcooking and cheese oozing out.

How to get the right crispiness

To get the right crispiness when air-frying cheese sticks, there are several steps you can follow. Firstly, it is important to note that you should always cook cheese sticks straight from frozen. If they are soggy or even slightly thawed, they won't fry evenly and the coating will fall off. Therefore, make sure they are frozen solid before air-frying.

Secondly, when preparing your cheese sticks, double-coat them. This will ensure the coating doesn't slide off and will also result in extra crunch. To do this, dip the cheese stick in a beaten egg, followed by breadcrumbs, and freeze for 30 minutes to an hour. Repeat this process to add a second coating before air-frying.

Thirdly, when it comes to cooking your cheese sticks, preheat your air fryer to the right temperature. Most recipes suggest cooking cheese sticks at around 360-390°F/183-193°C. However, some suggest that a lower temperature of 350°F is better to prevent the cheese from oozing out. Therefore, it might be worth experimenting to find the optimal temperature for your air fryer.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place your cheese sticks inside, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between them. This will ensure they cook evenly. Depending on the temperature of your air fryer, cook the cheese sticks for 4-8 minutes, turning them halfway through. Keep a close eye on them as they can go from perfect to burnt or exploded in a matter of seconds.

Finally, once your cheese sticks are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving.

By following these steps, you should be able to achieve the perfect crispiness with your air-fried cheese sticks.

The best cheese to use

Mozzarella is the most popular choice of cheese for making cheese sticks, but you can also use cheddar. Mozzarella cheese sticks are usually made with low-moisture mozzarella or string cheese. You can use whole milk mozzarella or low-fat mozzarella sticks, but the texture of low-fat sticks may be slightly rubbery.

If you're using block mozzarella, cut it into sticks of around 3 inches by 3/4 inch. If you're using string cheese, cut each piece in half.

You can also make cheese sticks with cheddar. Cut a block of cheddar into sticks of around 2 3/4 inches by 1/2 inch. They will look small, but once coated with two layers of breadcrumbs, they will resemble traditional mozzarella sticks.

For the best flavour and texture, it's recommended to use block mozzarella rather than string cheese. You'll also get more sticks out of a block. However, string cheese melts better and helps to prevent the cheese from leaking out.

To prevent the cheese from leaking out during cooking, it's important to freeze the cheese sticks before frying them.

The best temperature to cook at

The best temperature to cook cheese sticks in an air fryer is between 360°F and 390°F.

If you are using frozen cheese sticks, it is recommended to cook them at a lower temperature of 360°F to prevent the cheese from oozing out and to ensure even cooking. Cooking at a lower temperature will also give you more control over the cooking process, allowing you to adjust the timing as needed.

For homemade cheese sticks, a temperature of 390°F is recommended. This will ensure that the cheese sticks become crispy and golden without overcooking the cheese.

It is important to note that air fryers can vary in terms of cooking temperature and time, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your cheese sticks while they are cooking. Check on them regularly and adjust the timing as needed to avoid overcooking or undercooking.

Additionally, when cooking frozen cheese sticks, there is no need to thaw them first. Cooking them straight from the freezer will give you a crispier texture. However, if you are cooking homemade cheese sticks, it is recommended to freeze them for at least 30 minutes to an hour before air frying. This will help the coating stick to the cheese and prevent the cheese from melting out during cooking.

Finally, when placing the cheese sticks in the air fryer, make sure they are in a single layer with space between them. This will ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking and sticking.

How to store and reheat cheese sticks

If you have leftover cheese sticks, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat them, set your air fryer to 360°F and cook for 3-4 minutes, turning them halfway through. Keep a close eye on them as they reheat, as they may split open if you heat them for too long.

If you're reheating frozen cheese sticks, make sure they are frozen solid before placing them in the air fryer. Do not thaw them first. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Air fry at 375°F for 3-4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Continue cooking until the cheese begins to ooze out.

Let the cheese sticks cool on a paper towel for a few minutes before serving. You can test one to see if it's ready, and if not, return the basket to the air fryer for a few more minutes.

Frequently asked questions