Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (Printable)

Golden mozzarella sticks with a crispy crust and melty center, effortlessly prepared in an air fryer.

# What You Need:

→ Frozen

01 - 16 frozen mozzarella sticks

→ Serving

02 - 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed
03 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 2 minutes.
02 - Place frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket without touching.
03 - Air fry the sticks for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
04 - Remove the mozzarella sticks immediately and let them cool for 1 minute to prevent cheese leakage.
05 - Serve hot with warmed marinara sauce and garnish with chopped fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Nine minutes from freezer to table, which means you can actually pull off an impressive appetizer without the stress.
  • The cheese stays melted and oozy inside while the outside gets that satisfying crunch, no overdone or leaking disasters.
  • You barely have to think about it once it's in the air fryer, leaving you free to actually talk to your guests instead of babysitting the stove.
02 -
  • Overcrowding the basket is the number one way to ruin this—do it in two batches if you need to instead of stacking them on top of each other like you're playing Jenga.
  • If you want extra crispiness and the coating looks pale, a tiny spray of olive oil before cooking makes a real difference without making them greasy.
03 -
  • If your sticks finish faster than expected, it means your air fryer runs hotter—jot down the exact time for next time instead of guessing.
  • Freezing them a little extra helps the coating stay intact; if you thaw them even partially, the cheese escapes more easily.
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