Air Fryer Cheese Sticks

by In The Kitchen With Matt

13K15810

Intro: Air Fryer Cheese Sticks

In this Instructable, I will show you how to make cheese sticks in the air fryer from scratch. This homemade cheese sticks or mozzarella sticks recipe is awesome, so much better than the frozen store-bought cheese sticks. And you can use whatever cheese you want and have fun with different breading options. In this Instructable, I use classic panko breadcrumbs and nacho cheese Doritos for the yummy outer shell. Cheese sticks are a perfect game day or game night appetizer and are super easy to make, if I can do it, you can do it. Let's get started!

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Follow the easy steps below or watch the video tutorial or do both!

STEP 1: Ingredients and Tools

Ingredients:

  • 8 string cheese sticks or Babybel cheese or whatever you like or a combination of a few kinds of cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup smashed Doritos (50g)
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (50g)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (60g)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (2g)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder (2g)
  • 1/4 tsp black ground pepper (1g)

Tools:

  • Air fryer
  • Sheet pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Bowls
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

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STEP 2: Cut and Freeze

Begin by removing the wrappers from the cheese. I usually use either string cheese or the Babybel little round individually wrapped cheeses. But you can use whatever kind of cheese that you want.

Then I like to cut the string cheese in half, although you could leave them whole if you wanted.

Place the cheese on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and then freeze them for 30 to 45 minutes.

STEP 3: Prep the Shell Ingredients

Take the eggs and add them to a small bowl and whisk. You can add about a tablespoon of water as well if you like.

Then add the flour and spices to another bowl and whisk until combined.

For the breading, you can use breadcrumbs, either classic Italian style or Panko. Panko gives them a wonderful crunch.

NOTE: You can add the spices to the flour or the breadcrumbs. But I usually add it to the flour.

Another breading option is Doritos. Take the chips and place them in a bag and mash them up. You can use all kinds of different flavors of chips if you like.

STEP 4: Dip, Dunk, Roll, Freeze

Now take the cold cheese and dip it into the flour mixture. Then dunk it into the egg wash, followed by rolling it in the breadcrumbs or chips. Next, go back into the egg wash one more time, and then finish it off by rolling once again in the breadcrumbs or chips. The double-dipping helps create a better outer shell.

Set the breaded cheeses on the sheet pan lined with parchment paper and once again freeze for 30 to 45 minutes.

After that, they can be cooked or you can place them in a freezer bag for longer storage in the freezer up to a few months, then just air fry a few at a time when you want them, instead of all of them at once.

STEP 5: Air Fry Those Cheese Sticks

Time to cook those cheese sticks.

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Then place several of the cheese sticks in the basket, but don't overcrowd them.

Put the basket in the air fryer and set the temp to right around 375F/190C. Set the time for 4 to 5 minutes and let them cook.

When the time goes up, remove the basket and then take some tongs and turn the cheese sticks over. Then cook for an additional minute or minute and a half. Just until you see a little cheese oozing out.

STEP 6: Serve Them!

Once cooked, place them on a plate with a bowl of marinara sauce or ranch dressing or whatever else you may want to dip them in. Enjoy!

Print the recipe here if you want.

STEP 7: Video Tutorial

Now watch those steps in action with this video tutorial.

8 Comments

Wernerm45 2 years ago

There is a restaurant in Wisconsin where they wrap their cheese sticks in wonton dough. They are the best. I've never tried to make them myself, but it seems neater than batter and breading. Probably not very cost effective when making huge numbers for the frozen section of the grocery store.

Rotorchef69 2 years ago

I would not recommend using cooking spray on ANY component of an air fryer. The propellants that expel the oil are like acid to the non-stick coating. Pretty quickly the coating will fall off and expose the low grade steel to oxygen and it will rust out your basket. Use an oil spritzer with canola oil to crisp up food. Use parchment liners in basket.

In The Kitchen With Matt 2 years ago

I have never had any issues with it. And I have used cooking spray on plenty of nonstick surfaces for years and years, with no problems. And I have had that particular air fryer for about two years now, still going strong and the basket still looks brand new. But, I have read about that potential issue as well. I guess I will keep testing it to see what happens haha. But sure, when in doubt a spritzer will work great, and cheaper in the long run because you can refill it.

Penolopy Bulnick 2 years ago

These sound great! I really want ones with Doritos on them :D