Air-Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks: Quick, Crispy, Cheesy Treats

Air fryer frozen mozzarella cheese sticks are a quick and easy snack to make, and they're a crowd favourite! They're perfect as a party appetiser, a snack, or even as a side dish. The best part is that you can pop the frozen cheese sticks directly into the air fryer, without having to defrost them first. This helps achieve a crispier texture. The cooking time varies depending on the air fryer, but on average, it takes about 5-7 minutes to cook the cheese sticks at 360-390 degrees Fahrenheit. You can serve these cheese sticks with a variety of dips, such as marinara sauce, ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or even spicy mustard.

How to get the perfect crisp

Preheat the Air Fryer

Before placing the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer, preheat the appliance to 360°F–390°F. Some air fryers have a preheat setting, but if yours doesn't, simply set it to the desired temperature for five minutes.

Place the Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer Basket

Arrange the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they aren't crowded or stacked. This is to allow the hot air to circulate evenly around each stick. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the sticks in batches.

Air Fry the Mozzarella Sticks

Air fry the frozen cheese sticks for 4–7 minutes at 360°F–390°F, flipping them halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer brand, so keep an eye on the sticks to prevent them from burning or exploding.

Remove the Mozzarella Sticks from the Air Fryer

Once the mozzarella sticks are golden brown and crispy, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket and serve immediately.

Tips for the Perfect Crisp

• There is no need to thaw the frozen mozzarella sticks before air frying. Cooking them straight from the freezer gives them a crispier coating.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• No oil spray is required as there is usually enough oil in the crust of the mozzarella sticks.
• For extra flavour, sprinkle some garlic powder or parmesan cheese over the cheese sticks before serving.
• If you prefer your mozzarella sticks super gooey, cook them for an additional minute or two after flipping.

Dipping Sauces

Mozzarella sticks go well with a variety of dipping sauces, including marinara sauce, ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, and spicy mayo.

Reheating and Storage

Although mozzarella sticks are best served fresh out of the air fryer, you can reheat them the next day at 350°F for 2–3 minutes. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two to three days.

Do you need to defrost mozzarella sticks before air frying?

Mozzarella sticks are a crowd-pleasing appetizer that can be made in an air fryer with minimal preparation. But do you need to defrost them first? The answer is no! You can cook frozen mozzarella sticks directly in the air fryer without defrosting them. In fact, cooking them straight from frozen gives them a crispier outside coating.

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the mozzarella sticks in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap, to ensure even cooking.
• No need to use oil spray. There is already enough oil in the crust, so there's no need to add more.
• Cook at 360-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-8 minutes, depending on your air fryer and desired crispiness. Keep an eye on them as they cook, as the timing may vary slightly.
• Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

So, there you have it! No need to defrost mozzarella sticks before air frying. Just pop them in the air fryer straight from the freezer for a quick and easy snack or appetizer.

What temperature and how long to air fry for?

The ideal temperature and timing for air-frying frozen mozzarella cheese sticks depend on the type and brand of air fryer you have, as well as the size of the cheese sticks. It is recommended to cook them at around 360-390°F (183-198°C) for 5-8 minutes.

However, it's important to keep a close eye on them as they can go from perfectly melted to exploded in a matter of seconds. It's also recommended to flip them halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Some additional tips include:

• No need to thaw—cooking them straight from frozen gives a crispier coating.
• Spread them into an even layer without stacking to ensure even cooking.
• No oil spray is needed—there is enough oil in the crust already.
• If your air fryer has a preheat setting, preheat it for 5 minutes or use a setting of 360°F.

What sauces can you serve with mozzarella sticks?

There are many sauces that you can serve with mozzarella sticks, and the options are nearly endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Classic Options

The most classic sauce to serve with mozzarella sticks is marinara sauce, a timeless choice with a rich tomato base, enhanced with garlic, herbs, and a touch of sweetness. Ketchup is another classic, simple option that can't be beaten.

Sweet and Tangy

For a sweet and tangy sauce, consider honey mustard, which combines the smoothness of honey with the zing of mustard. BBQ sauce is another option in this flavour category, with its rich, sweet-and-smoky flavour and a kick of hot sauce. For a similar but simpler option, spicy ketchup is a great choice.

Spicy

If you like your sauces spicy, Buffalo sauce is a great option—a tangy and spicy combination of hot sauce, melted butter, and vinegar. Alternatively, try hot sauce, or even a garlic aioli with a hint of tanginess.

Creamy

For a creamy sauce, ranch dressing is a popular choice, with its blend of herbs and buttermilk. Blue cheese sauce is another bold, creamy option, or you could try a creamy garlic sauce made with butter, garlic, and cream.

Unique

For a unique flavour, pesto sauce is a great choice, infusing your mozzarella sticks with aromatic flavours of basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. If you're feeling adventurous, you could also try a chipotle sauce, with its smoky flavour, or a balsamic glaze, which is a bit sweet and tangy.

Other Options

Other sauces that you could serve with mozzarella sticks include salsa, tzatziki, alfredo sauce, cocktail sauce, chilli garlic sauce, mustard sauce, thousand island dressing, or even raspberry sauce.

So, whether you're looking for a classic flavour or something more unique, there's a sauce to suit every palate when serving mozzarella sticks!

How to store and reheat leftovers

Storing and reheating mozzarella cheese sticks is a delicate process, but if done right, you can enjoy them crispy and hot instead of soggy and disappointing.

Storing:

If you have leftover fried mozzarella cheese sticks, you can store them in an airtight container with a lid in the fridge for up to two days. Make sure they are completely cooled before storing.

Reheating:

The best way to reheat fried mozzarella cheese sticks is in an air fryer or a regular oven.

Air Fryer:

• Set your air fryer to 360 degrees F.
• Place the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer, ensuring they are in a single layer and not stacked or crowded.
• Air fry for 3-4 minutes, turning them halfway through.
• Keep a close eye on them as they reheat, as the cheese may start to melt and split open if left for too long.

Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350-400 degrees F.
• Place a layer of tomato sauce or marinara sauce in a baking dish.
• Put the frozen mozzarella sticks on the sauce, and add another layer of sauce on top.
• You can also sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top.
• Bake for 5-10 minutes in a preheated oven or 35-45 minutes in an oven starting from room temperature.
• If reheating from frozen, increase the time to 8-15 minutes.

Other Options:

You can also reheat mozzarella cheese sticks in a toaster oven or a microwave, but they may not turn out as crispy.

Toaster Oven:

• Preheat the toaster oven to around 450 degrees F.
• Bake the mozzarella sticks for 8-9 minutes, keeping an eye on them to ensure the cheese doesn't burn.

Microwave:

• Place the mozzarella sticks on a plate in a wheel-like pattern.
• Microwave for 25-45 seconds, then flip them over and microwave for another 25-45 seconds.
• If they are still cold in the middle, microwave for an additional 15 seconds.

Remember, the key to successful reheating is not to overdo it, as this can cause the cheese to melt and ooze out. So, keep a close eye on your cheese sticks and enjoy them while they're hot and crispy!

Frequently asked questions