Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (Printable)

Quickly achieve a crispy exterior and melty center with frozen mozzarella sticks cooked in an air fryer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Frozen

01 - 16 frozen mozzarella sticks

→ Serving

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

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 2 minutes.
02 - Place frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket without touching each other.
03 - Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking until sticks are golden brown and crispy.
04 - Remove 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 basil or parsley as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're ready in under 10 minutes, making them perfect for when unexpected guests arrive or cravings strike.
  • The air fryer does all the work—no oil splatters, no stovetop hovering, just set it and walk away.
  • Unlike traditional frying, you get that perfect crisp-to-gooey ratio every single time without fail.
02 -
  • Overcrowding the basket is the fastest way to end up with some golden sticks and some pale ones—cook in batches if you need more than 16, and your future self will thank you.
  • The moment they come out is when they taste best; waiting too long lets them cool and firm up in a way that feels less luxurious than when they're still faintly warm and creamy inside.
03 -
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 6 minutes rather than waiting the full 8—every fryer has its own personality and learning yours takes just one batch.
  • Keeping a box of these in your freezer means you're never more than 10 minutes away from an appetizer that genuinely impresses people.
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