Craving a cheesy, crunchy snack? These air fryer mozzarella sticks are the perfect solution! Made with simple ingredients, this easy recipe delivers golden, melty mozzarella sticks in under 15 minutes. Ideal for game day, parties, or a quick appetizer, this healthier twist on a classic favorite uses the air fryer to cut down on oil without sacrificing flavor. Follow this step-by-step guide to make the best air fryer mozzarella sticks at home!

These Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are packed with flavor, have a great textured exterior, and of course, plenty of that cheese pull in the center! These Panko Mozzarella Sticks are similar to Fried Mozzarella Sticks.

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We bought our air fryer last year and we use it all the time! We love it for heating up our Costco frozen chicken nuggets and chicken strips, my son loves to make his wings (frozen) in it, french fries are great (both frozen and fresh), and I’ve used it with frozen, store-bought mozzarella sticks. I bought an 8-quart one so it could hold enough for the family.

Here’s the one I purchased: My 8 quart Air Fryer (affiliate link)

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Healthier Option: Air frying reduces oil compared to traditional frying.
Crispy Perfection: Golden, crunchy coating with gooey, melted cheese.
Family-Friendly: A crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike.

Mozzarella Stick Ingredients

These mozzarella sticks only take a few items and there’s a good chance you might have them on hand right now!

string cheese
flour
egg
milk
panko bread crumbs
Italian seasoning
salt
garlic powder
pepper
nonstick spray

Best Temperature for Mozzarella Sticks in Air Fryer

Now I did some testing, and I found 390 was the best temperature for air frying mozzarella sticks. It gave the cheese sticks a great crunch on the exterior, and the cheese just started to ooze out on a couple of the mozzarella sticks… perfection in my book!

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Healthier Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are packed with flavor, have a great textured exterior, & of course, plenty of that cheese pull!!!

Prep Time 1 30

Cook Time 6

Total Time 1 36

Serving Size 12 sticks

Equipment

air fryer

Ingredients

6 string cheese cut in half
¼ cup flour
1 egg
1 tbsp milk
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
½ tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

On a small plate, I pour my flour.
In a bowl, add the egg and milk, whisk together.
On a large plate (or I like to use a pie pan) add the panko, pepper, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix together.
After you've cut your string cheese in half it's time to start assembling. Take one piece and roll it in the flour.
Then take that piece of floured string cheese and dip it into the egg mixture, making sure it's coated.
Then move it to the panko mixture, turning it, and or scooping the panko mixture on the cheese until it's fully coated.
Move the coated string cheese to a freezer-safe container. Repeat until all the string cheese halves have been coated.
You will have left-over egg and panko mixture, keep those you're going to double dip soon!
Place your cheese sticks in the freezer for about 45 minutes.
Now it's time to double-dip. Take the frozen sticks and dip them into the egg, and then back into the panko mixture. Repeat until all the cheese sticks are double-dipped.
Place back into the freezer for another 30 minutes.
Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees.
Once preheated, spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with non-stick spray and place the frozen cheese sticks inside in a single layer. Spray the top of the cheese sticks with non-stick spray.
Cook the cheese sticks in the air fryer for 6-7 minutes, you'll want a couple of the cheese sticks to have started them oozing.
Serve hot with some warm marinara sauce.