Kids love mozzarella cheese sticks as a snack. Learning how to re-heat air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks is super quick and easy. It’s easily one of our favorite frozen food snacks to cook in the air fryer.

mozzarella cheese stick being pulled in half

Can Frozen Mozzarella Sticks be Air Fried?

Yes, they are great and easy! Just pop the frozen cheese sticks directly in the air fryer. Then the hot air quickly cooks the mozzarella sticks from frozen. What you get is a crispy, crunchy outside and melty cheese on the inside, you’ll always want to make these air fried cheese sticks. We’ll never cook these frozen mozzarella sticks in any other way now except in the air fryer. The regular oven doesn’t cook them nearly as good or crispy.

Tips on How to Air Fry Frozen Mozzarella Sticks or Cheese Sticks

  • Don’t thaw first. Air fry the cheese sticks straight from the freezer. It gives them a crispier outside coating.
  • Spread into an even layer when air frying. Don’t stack the cheese sticks in the air fryer basket/tray. Crowding or stacking the cheese sticks makes them cook un-evenly. So cook in smaller batches if needed so there’s space for the hot air to circulate between the mozzarella sticks.
  • No oil spray. There is no need for any oil spray to cook the cheese sticks. There is enough in the crust when they make them that you don’t need to add any more.
  • Add your favorite dip and you’re ready to enjoy. We love serving them with a marinara sauce but we know lots of folks enjoy dipping them in ranch or bbq sauce too.
  • All recipe details, time and temp are in the recipe box below.
  • Pro-Tip: here’s our favorite tools to help make air frying easier:
Evo Oil Sprayer
Evo Oil Sprayer

We LOVE Evo Oil Sprayers. Not the prettiest, but they’re functional and spritz oil great! They don’t clog up like many others we’ve bought. There’s different styles, but all seem to have the same great spray head. Works great for grilling!

8.5" Square Blue Silicone Mat
Perforated Silicone Mat

There are Square Mats & Round Mats. These perforated non-stick silicone mats are used to cook food in your air fryer or steamer to minimize sticking. Holes allow hot circulating air to cook the food & keeps the food from sticking.

Perforated Parchment Paper
Perforated Parchment Paper

Parchment sheets are great for your air fryer or bamboo steamer (food tends to stick most on wire basket or tray). Choose from different sizes, shapes, white and brown (unbleached). Holes allow air to cook food evenly.

cheese sticks on a plate with sauce

Video: Air Fried Frozen Mozzarella Sticks

step by step cooking air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks or cheese sticks

What Sauce to Serve with Mozzarella Sticks

Marinara sauce is always a classic. Warm it up and enjoy the deliciousness! Some other sauces to consider: ketchup, BBQ Sauce, salsa, hot sauce, this amazing 5-minute mustard sauce, pesto, ranch, chili garlic sauce, cocktail sauce, hot sauce, buffalo sauce, tzatziki, alfredo.

Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks or Cheese Sticks Recipe | AirFryerWorld.com

Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks

Yield: 2 servings
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Lots of factors influence outcome of how the mozzarella sticks cook. They all vary in size and sometimes the coating, etc. so you’ll have to adjust timing as needed.
Cook in just a single layer. If needed cook in multiple batches. Read our HOW TO tips in the article.
All air fryers are different and some cook much hotter than others. Once you cook your first batch, you’ll know more of what works for your model of air fryer and size of food. These were tested on basket style air fryers. Read more recipe notes below the recipe.
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Ingredients

  • 6 Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
  • Dipping Sauce Options: Marinara sauce, ketchup, ranch, sweet chili sauce, mustard sauce, etc…

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket and spread out evenly in a single layer. No oil spray is needed.
    Frozen mozzarella sticks in air fryer
  • Air Fry at 380°F/193°C for 5 minutes. Gently shake or turn. Continue to Air Fry at 380°F/193°C for another 1-2 minutes OR until the cheese nearly starts to ooze out.
    Cooked mozzarella sticks in air fryer, one stick pulled open
  • Make sure to let them cool a little before eating. The cheese can be super hot. Serve with your favorite dip.
    Dipping mozzarella stick in marinara sauce

Notes

Nutrition based on using Frozen Cauliflower Veggie Tots.
Air Frying Tips and Notes:
  1. No Oil Necessary. Cook Frozen – Do not thaw first.
  2. Shake or turn if needed. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
  3. Recipe timing is based on a non-preheated air fryer. If cooking in multiple batches back to back, the following batches may cook a little quicker. 
  4. Recipes were tested in 3.7 to 6 qt. air fryers. If using a larger air fryer, they might cook quicker so adjust cooking time.
  5. Remember to set a timer to shake/flip/toss as directed in recipe.

If your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce timing by a few minutes (unless preheating is called for in the recipe).

Video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 270kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 650mg, Potassium: 110mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Calcium: 280mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American, Frozen Foods
Calories: 270

Why Did the Cheese Sticks Burn?

It’s because your air fryer model cooks hotter than our test kitchen brands or it was already pre-heated. When you cook your next batch, decrease the cooking time by 2 minutes. Check the cheese sticks then add additional 1 minute of air frying time until the mozzarella sticks are cooked to your preferred doneness.

Best Dips: the best part is dipping these crunchy cheese sticks. There’s so many options: 

  • marinara sauce or pasta sauce: these are so much more flavorful than plain tomato sauce. Don’t use the cans of tomato sauce. Buy the seasoned pasta sauces.
  • ketchup : can’t go wrong with this classic
  • bbq sauce : we love the flavors of the smoky bbq sauces
  • hot sauce: the spicy dips are an awesome balance against the rich cheese sticks! Use sriracha or even chili garlic crunch (chili crisp) for these air fried mozzarella sticks
  • ranch : this creamy dip is always a favorite
  • blue cheese dip: the tangy, rich flavors of blue cheese are great.
  • honey mustard sauce : sweet, tangy and always delicious
  • tarter sauce isn’t just for seafood. Try it with these mozzarella sticks from the air fryer
  • thousand island dressing isn’t just for burgers!

Air fried mozzarella sticks on a party platter

Believe it or not, these air fried cheese sticks are delicious and elegant to serve at a party. To make the platter extra bountiful add some other sliced vegetables, two different dips, some sliced cheese, olives and maybe some salami. These crispy cheese sticks are fantastic on a cheese and charcuterie board. It’s always nice to have something different and delicious to serve on a platter, so these crunchy snacks are perfect!

History of Mozzarella Sticks

Ever wonder where this idea of coated mozzarella cheese sticks originated? Here’s a quick read and interesting time line of who invented mozzarella sticks?

You Might also Love these Air Fryer Easy Recipes

3 different fries types on plates

This recipe was originally published in 2018 and republished with updated video. Hope you enjoy our air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks! Here’s more great ways to enjoy mozzarella sticks.