Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (Print version)

Golden-fried mozzarella sticks with melted cheese centers, prepared in an air fryer in minutes. Perfect for appetizers or snacks.

# What you'll need:

→ Frozen Snacks

01 - 16 frozen mozzarella sticks

→ For Serving (Optional)

02 - 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed
03 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
02 - Arrange the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each stick.
03 - Air fry for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.
04 - Remove immediately and let cool for 1–2 minutes before serving.
05 - Serve with warm marinara sauce and garnish with fresh basil if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • No thawing, no waiting, just crispy cheese sticks in under 10 minutes flat.
  • The air fryer gets them crunchier than the oven ever could without a drop of extra oil.
  • Perfect for hungry kids, last minute guests, or when you just need melted cheese in your life immediately.
02 -
  • Don't skip the shake halfway through, I learned that the hard way when one side stayed pale and the other got too dark.
  • If you spray them lightly with oil before cooking, the crunch level goes from great to restaurant quality.
03 -
  • Set a timer and don't walk away, that perfect golden window is narrow and they can go from crispy to overdone fast.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking them at the 6 minute mark to avoid any cheese blowouts.
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