Thanks to the air fryer, it simply could not be easier to prepare Air-Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks for any occasion—even weeknight dinner!
The name says it all: air fryer. I mean, who doesn’t love the crispy crunch of fried food? And who doesn’t feel at least some (albeit sometimes fleeting) concern about the downside of frying food? But you can achieve that taste and textural perfection by frying foods in hot air. That’s right, no oil, no splatter, no mess. Just air. But wait, it gets better: How about being able to fry frozen foods in hot air? Wait until you see how easy it is to prepare air-fryer frozen mozzarella sticks!
Not long after I purchased my first air fryer, I bought one for several family members and friends as gifts: I wanted to share the euphoria I experienced every time I used this fantastic new appliance. My mom, who prefers the ways she does things to anything new, immediately stored hers in the basement. No matter how much cajoling I did or how many air fryer recipes I sent to her, she would not budge. But she love, love, loves mozzarella sticks. And in the summer, she does not love to turn on her oven. So, let’s just say that her beautiful red air fryer is now prominently—and permanently—housed on her kitchen counter, thanks to this recipe for air-fryer frozen mozzarella sticks.
Maybe the best thing about this recipe for air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks is that it calls for only one thing: 12 frozen mozzarella sticks. You lay them in a single layer in the pre-heated air fryer, push a button, and minutes later you will be serving—and eating—this wildly popular, crunchy, and cheesy phenomenon.
Tips for perfect air-fryer frozen mozzarella sticks
Okay, you might think that a recipe with only one frozen ingredient wouldn’t possibly need any tips for perfection. But, please, learn from my mistakes!
First, do not thaw the mozzarella sticks: Part of the beauty of this recipe is that the sticks go straight from the freezer into the air fryer. A big part of the success is that the cooking time depends on the mozzarella sticks being frozen. Next, don’t let your party timing or your appetite influence the process! In other words, don’t give in to the temptation to pile the mozzarella sticks on top of each other because you’re in a hurry or exceptionally hungry. The key to perfect air frying is allowing the air to circulate all around whatever you’re cooking; in the case of frozen mozzarella sticks, you need to have them in a single layer in order to achieve the crispy outsides and melty insides. You can flip them at the halfway mark if you want to, but it’s not necessary.
What is necessary, however, is that you check them at the 5-minute mark; you’re looking for the golden brown exterior and just a little bit of gooey cheese oozing out. If you cook them for too long, all that cheese might escape, and you’ll be left with empty tubes of crispy breading—which may not be the worst thing for fried-food lovers, but is also not the point of making air-fryer frozen mozzarella sticks!
How do I store leftovers?
Cooled air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat them for a couple of minutes in the air fryer. You can freeze these mozzarella sticks as well by flash-freezing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until they become solid, about 30 minutes, and then transferring them to an airtight container. They can remain in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving suggestions
It’s kind of a no-brainer to serve air-fryer frozen mozzarella sticks as a snack, an appetizer, or at a game-day party, but I have an idea I think you might really like: I often serve them as a replacement for breadsticks! I love to dip these mozzarella sticks into a bowl of Minestrone or Chili, or a hearty Lentil Stew. One of my family’s favorite dinners is Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs served with air-fryer frozen mozzarella sticks and a crunchy salad, like this classic Caesar Salad (though sometimes I make a big pot of Authentic Bolognese instead of meatballs and we dip the mozzarella sticks in there!). Mozzarella sticks are also great companions to any kind of pasta, whether it’s a yummy Sausage Rigatoni or a delicious veggie dish, like Cavatelli And Broccoli.
Air-Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 12 frozen mozzarella sticks
- Preferred dipping sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F.
- Place the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 5-8 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy, with the cheese just starting to ooze through the coating, but not fully.
- Carefully remove from the air fryer and let them cool before serving. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
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