Cook For 6 To 8 Minutes Until Crispy And Golden Brown
How to make mozzarella sticks in air fryer without freezing. Set the temperature to 400°f if applicable, or press the cheese stick button if not. Coat the mozzarella sticks in egg and panko a second time, then transfer to the air fryer. Bread the cheese sticks as directed, and keep them in the freezer until fully frozen, 2 to 3 hours.
No oil spray is needed. For a slightly crispier outside, use a cooking spray to lightly coat them. However, there are specific tips to keep in mind while air frying them as neglection can explode.
Beat 1 egg and place in a medium size dish, in another dish add the breadcrumbs. Make sure the mozzarella sticks are frozen and firm. Preheat air fryer to 400 f.
Dip each mozzarella stick into the flour, followed by the beaten egg mixture, and then coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to let them cool a little before eating. Place the covered cheese sticks in the air fryer.
Let the mozzarella sticks cool down fully to room temperature before transferring them to a large freezer bag or airtight container. When the timer goes off, remove the air fryer basket, let the air fryer mozzarella sticks solidify some you can also shape any that might have started to explode.serve with marinara and enjoy! Preheat air fryer to 390°f.
Freeze for up to two months. Prep the air fryer and bread a second time: Place each one on the lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
Pin on air fryer
How To Get Rid Of The Smell Of Cooking Oil
The fried food was delicious while you were eating it, but its less than ideal when you can still smell the cooking oil odors the next day. Here are some ways you can eliminate the smell :
- Ventilate! As soon as you start heating the oil for frying, turn on the hood vents. Weather permitting, open the windows, too. Air circulation is your friend.
- Line the area around your workstation with newspaper. It will catch the splatter and help make cleanup easier. But be careful it doesnt get too close to the stove flames!
- Clean up immediately. As soon as youre done cooking, dispose of the oil , clean the pot you used and clean your stovetop and counters .
- Simmer some homemade potpourri on the stove. I like to fill a small pot with a couple cups of water, a few tablespoons of vinegar, and an assortment of spices and fruit peels and let it simmer until the water has evaporated to help eliminate the oil odors. Im a big fan of orange and lemon peels with a cinnamon stick.
- When all else fails, bake! It feels like as good an excuse as any to make a batch of cookies or some banana bread. Your kitchen will smell great, and youll have even more delicious treats.
As my friend Jim said about these fried sticks of heaven, They have parsley on them. Which basically makes them a salad.
Obviously thats a jokeor is it?
After youve made this recipe, please consider coming back to share your experience with others by leaving a comment below with a star rating!
How To Make Mozzarella Sticks By Deep Frying
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How To Get The Kids Involved With This Recipe:
- Ages 2-3: Let them help you with the cheese dipping process.
- Ages 4-5: Let them help measure and pulse the panko mixture in the food processor. Also, have them help you pour the marinara sauce into a saucepan.
- Ages 6-8: Let them crack and beat the eggs. Have them transfer the baking sheet to the freezer so the cheese sticks can freeze.
- Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe. Please make sure you teach them to use caution when frying food.
- Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Discover why we love getting the kids involved in the kitchen and more tips in our How to Get Kids Involved In Cooking article.
Can You Make Mozzarella Cheese Sticks In Advance

Yes, and we often do! Its the perfect way to always have these golden sticks of deliciousness anytime you want them.
Once youve breaded them properly, arrange on a baking sheet in one layer, then flash freeze for an hour or two. Then, take the frozen pieces and transfer to a freezer-friendly baggie. Keep up to three to 5 months.
When ready to cook, fry them directly from frozen. No need to thaw!
More homemade appetizers to try:
Recipe tips:
- Dont skip freezing them before frying, so the shell is sturdier and there is less chance of the cheese leaking through. You can also double-coat them for a stronger, crunchier crust.
- Make sure your oil is very hot before you fry! This way, the breading crisps up before the cheese has a chance to melt.
- We cut these in half because to make more bite-sized pieces, but you can totally use the full-size string cheese.
- Fry in batches, or youll end up with soggy, undercooked, or burnt sticks.
Also Check: How Long Do Cheese Sticks Last Unrefrigerated
Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Jill and Beth have the same issue so we brainstormed and came up with the idea to make Homemade Mozzarella Sticks. Its so much more cost-effective to make your own instead of buying them. Plus this recipe makes a ton, 36 thick sticks to be exact!
These Mozzarella Sticks are way better than the store-bought ones. Mainly this is due to the fact that in ours theres more cheese per stick!
This is a great recipe to have on hand for those times when your kids are home more often, like during the summer. With our Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Mom is happy with the price and the kids are happy with the taste.
Our recipe below includes two different ways to make the mozzarella cheese sticks. We have directions for making them fried and baked. Happy snacking!
What To Serve With Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
You can make the homemade marinara sauce I included in the recipe card below or use your favorite brand. You can also serve them with carrot and celery sticks to complement the gooey, creamy cheese with fresh veggie flavor and texture.
Want more finger foods and make it a real party? Try these Philly cheesesteak sliders and jalapeno poppers theyre a guaranteed crowd pleaser!
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Tips And Yummy Variations
The great thing about making mozzarella sticks at home is that you can customize them however youd like! Ive listed a few of my favorite seasonings and dips here for you to try. I hope you love them as much as I do!
- Seasonings: I love the simple flavor of bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. It makes your mozzarella sticks perfect for just about any sauce! If youre looking for a little extra flavor, though, feel free to add Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or lemon pepper to your bread crumb mixture! It makes each bite flavorful and divine. No dip needed!
- Sauces and Dips: These air fryer mozzarella sticks are perfect for dipping! Aside from marinara, my family always loves having them with buffalo, bbq, and honey mustard sauces.
- Crispier Texture: For a more crispy texture, dredge and coat the cheese sticks once. After freezing, coat them again and freeze for another 30 minutes, then cook and enjoy!
- Dont Overcook: If you overcook your mozzarella sticks, you run the risk of them bursting open and getting too melty. Keep an eye on them at the 6 minute mark to ensure you pull them out right when theyre golden and crispy.
I Am A Big Dr Pepper Fan
You guys, I am a BIG Dr Pepper fan. Like, ridiculously big. I have even visited the Dr Pepper museum in Waco TX. Did you know it is the oldest major soft drink in America? It is!
Dr Pepper is the perfect game day drink because it makes people happy. It is always original. And it has that signature blend of 23 flavors, which makes every sip of Dr Pepper truly unique. Paired with the Farm Rich snacks and appetizers , you have your #homegatinghero.
Farm Rich helps make snack and mealtime easier and more fun! Find them at grocery stores across the U.S., visit FarmRich.com/homegating to plan an easy, delicious and exciting game day spread from home. And dont forget this simple homemade marinara that comes together in just 10 minutes, and is perfect for all your dipping needs!
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More About Mozzarella Cheese Sauce Recipes
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What To Do With The Used Cooking Oil
One benefit of using tallow instead of fats like soybean oil or peanut oil, is its stable enough that it can be reused again and again. I simply filter it to remove the crumbs and sediment from the cheese sticks, then use it for another deep fried recipe, such as Fried Calamari or Potato Croquettes. Enjoy!
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Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Cheese Sticks Traditional string cheese sticks are perfect for this recipe, and are ideally sized when cut in half. You can however cut your own cheese sticks from a block of cheese. Just make sure that you cut them into uniform sizes, as close to that of the string cheese sticks as possible.
- Breadcrumbs This recipe calls for both traditional breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs. The traditional breadcrumbs help give the coating a lighter texture and recognizable flavor, while the panko breadcrumbs help give it a bit more crunch, without absorbing as much oil than traditional breadcrumbs. The combination of both bread crumbs really creates the ideal mozzarella stick.
- Canola Oil I prefer to use canola oil when frying foods for a couple of reasons. It has a very neutral flavor and thus wont change the taste of the mozzarella sticks, its smoke point is high enough for the temperature needed for frying, and its an affordable and readily available choice. Other oil options include vegetable oil, peanut oil and corn oil. I do not recommend using olive oil or coconut oil.
How Do You Make String Cheese Out Of Shredded Cheese

How to Make String Cheese
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Do I Have To Freeze Mozzarella Sticks Before Frying
It is so important to make sure the mozzarella cheese sticks are frozen before you start frying them. Why? Because that way the breading will cook without completely melting the cheese. You want the cheese to still be intact and but warm when it is finished. So, the best way to get this result is to freeze the cheese sticks several times throughout out the cooking process.
Deep Fried String Cheese Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
These are so popular at our home that they disappear almost before they come out of the fryer and they are perfect for dipping in our Classic Marinara Sauce!
Instructions are included on this page for making cheese sticks in the oven or air fryer as well!
You can use breadcrumbs on these, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs are even better…but best of all is freshly crushed Italian seasoned croutons .
Such a simple and easy recipe you will need Italian seasoned croutons, string cheese, flour, and eggs.
These work great for freezing to eat later, so feel free to make a large batch all at once.
A small fryer is perfect for cooking cheese sticks but if you don’t have one you can use a sauce pan with oil or alternately you could bake them in the oven or even use a air fryer!
Getting string cheese ready to make mozzarella sticks – my dredging station setup: eggs, flour, crushed croutons, mozzarella sticks and the fry basket.While the oil is preheating, I like to whisk a few eggs together in one bowl and then put flour in another bowl. The third and last bowl in my dredging station will have the crushed croutons.
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How Do You Make Mozzarella Sticks
This recipe starts with sticks of string cheese, which are cut in half. Dip each piece of cheese in flour, then coat them in eggs and breadcrumbs. Repeat the process by coating the cheese in a second layer of egg and breadcrumbs. The double coating will prevent the cheese from spilling out during the frying process. Freeze the cheese sticks, then deep fry until just golden brown. Serve immediately with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
The Absolute Best Air Fryer Mozzarella Stick Recipe
With a perfect crispy shell and melty inside, you cant go wrong with serving mozzarella sticks as an appetizer. For your next party, ditch the store-bought mozzarella sticks and make them from scratch instead! Theyre super easy to prepare and honestly, take about as much effort as pulling frozen mozzarella sticks out of the bag. The only difference is they taste a million times better! These get devoured in seconds at my house.
Using an air fryer makes this recipe a cinch. No more dealing with the mess of frying in oil! The best part is that the air fryer makes the mozzarella sticks just as crispy. If you havent already, youve got to try my air fryer french fries and tater tots, too! I know youve probably heard it a million times, but air fryers are a game-changer. You get crispy, delicious treats in half the time with no hassle. Once you try these ooey-gooey air fryer mozzarella sticks, I know youll be a believer, too!
Read Also: Can Babybel Cheese Stay Unrefrigerated
How Do You Make Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
How To Dispose Of Cooking Oil
First things first, if you know youre going to do more frying soon just save the oil to use again! Let the oil cool, then use a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove any crumbs, and store in an airtight glass container in a cool, dark place.
But if youre not saving it for another round, make sure to take the proper steps to discard the oil at home:
- Pack it and throw it away. Let the oil cool completely, then pour into a non-recycleable container with a lid and throw it in the trash. Examples would be milk cartons, takeout containers, or other plastic or wax-lined paper containers.
- Pour it in the trash carefully and strategically. Once oil has cooled, slowly pour into the center of your trash can on top of absorbent items like paper towels, or discarded kitty litter. You dont want it to pool into the bottom of the bag, because that could go south.
- Freeze it and toss it. Pour cooled oil into an old can and place in the freezer. Once its solid, dump it into the trash.
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