This Mozzarella Cheese Sticks Recipe Air Fried VS Deep Fried is one of those recipes you'll find yourself making over and over again. It's simple, delicious, and always gets rave reviews. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned cook, you're going to love how easy and tasty this turns out!
Did You Know?
Pro Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I keep mozzarella sticks from exploding in the fryer?
Freeze the breaded sticks for at least 2 hours (overnight is best) before frying. The frozen cheese melts slowly enough that the breading seals before it can burst through.
2. What cheese works best for mozzarella sticks?
Low-moisture mozzarella string cheese sticks are the easiest and most reliable. Block mozzarella cut into sticks works too but is harder to get perfectly uniform shapes.
3. What is the double-breading technique?
Dip in flour, then egg wash, then breadcrumbs, then back in egg, then breadcrumbs again. This double coating creates a thicker, crunchier shell that better contains the melting cheese.
4. Air fryer vs deep fryer — which gives better results?
Deep frying gives a crunchier, more evenly golden exterior. Air frying uses less oil and is healthier but the coating can be slightly less uniform. Both produce delicious results.
5. What temperature for air frying mozzarella sticks?
390-400 degrees for 6-8 minutes, turning once halfway. They cook fast in the air fryer. Spray lightly with cooking oil before air frying for better browning.
6. What temperature for deep frying mozzarella sticks?
375 degrees for only 60-90 seconds until golden brown. They cook extremely fast in hot oil. Remove immediately — the cheese should be melted but not leaking.
7. What dipping sauce is best for mozzarella sticks?
Warm marinara sauce is the classic choice. Ranch, garlic aioli, or a spicy arrabbiata sauce are popular alternatives. Some people love honey for a sweet-salty contrast.
8. Can I use panko breadcrumbs instead of Italian?
Panko creates a lighter, crunchier coating. Italian breadcrumbs give a more traditional, fine-textured exterior with built-in seasoning. Mix both for the best of both worlds.
9. Can I make mozzarella sticks ahead and freeze?
Absolutely — bread the sticks, freeze on a sheet pan, then transfer to freezer bags. They keep for 3 months and fry better from frozen than fresh because the cheese stays contained.
10. Why did my cheese melt out before the coating browned?
The sticks were not frozen long enough, the oil was not hot enough, or the breading was too thin. Always double-bread and freeze solid. The oil must be at 375 degrees.
Watch How to Make This
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks Recipe Air Fried VS Deep Fried
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare three shallow bowls: In the first bowl, crack the three large eggs and beat them with a fork. In the second bowl, combine ⅔ cup of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of garlic salt, whisking them together. In the third bowl, place 1 cup of Italian-style bread crumbs.
- Remove the string cheese from the individual packages. The recommended cheese for this recipe is low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella.
- First coat: Coat each cheese stick in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring to remove any excess. Second coat: Dip the flour-coated cheese stick into the beaten eggs, allowing excess egg to drip back into the bowl. Final coat: Coat the cheese stick with Italian bread crumbs. For extra crispy coating, repeat the process of dipping the cheese stick into the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs again.
- Place breaded cheese sticks on a lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours) to firm up the coating and prevent cheese from melting out during cooking.
- Heat oil to 350°F. Fry frozen cheese sticks for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F. Spray frozen cheese sticks with cooking spray. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- Serve hot with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat, in the microwave, or in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, Approximate)
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients and preparation.
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