Low-Fat Mozzarella Sticks Made in the Air Fryer

Can You Make Mozzarella Sticks in an Air Fryer?

Absolutely! The idea for these Air Fryer Low-Fat Mozzarella Cheese Sticks came to me from my friend Amber. We often share food inspiration photos that we discover on Instagram. Not too long ago, she sent me a picture of a Stacked Cheesy Tower.

The image featured five mozzarella patties stacked high and filled with an abundance of cheese. It was a short video showing the tower being pulled apart, with cheese stretching from the middle. Amber’s message read, “Can you snatch this? Ohhh can you air-fry mozzarella sticks?” My response was, “Well, we’re about to find out!” And here we are, with the recipe.

How Long Do You Cook Frozen Cheese Sticks?

I’ve been using Weight Watchers’ string cheese for years. The smoky flavor is irresistible! The string cheese made this recipe quick and easy. I cooked mine for around 15 minutes.

Can You Put Oil in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can! Simply spritz the mozzarella sticks with oil from a spray bottle.

The first time I tried this recipe, I was having one of those days where everything seemed to go wrong. It didn’t start that way, though.

I had a Friday off from work, planning to sleep in, work out, run errands, cook this recipe, and then meet friends at the annual Plaza Art Fair here in Kansas City. My workout went smoothly, but my errands were a nightmare. I spent far more time waiting in long lines than I expected. No matter where I went, the wait times were longer than anticipated. By the time I got home and was ready to cook, I felt rushed—and that’s not ideal when trying a new recipe.

While I was developing this recipe, I considered whether I should freeze or at least refrigerate the breaded cheese sticks before frying them. I chose to use string cheese, hoping I could skip the freezing step.

I was wrong! If you’re pressed for time and prefer not to freeze the sticks beforehand, the recipe will still work. However, if presentation and appearance are important to you, it’s best to freeze the sticks first so they hold their shape better.

As with my other posts, if you don’t own an Air Fryer, you can still bake these mozzarella sticks and achieve great results.

Air Fryer Low-Fat Weight Watchers Mozzarella Cheese Stick

These Air Fryer Low-Fat Weight Watchers Mozzarella Cheese Sticks are a quick, easy, and healthy recipe made with Italian breadcrumbs and gooey cheese.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 26 minutes
Servings: 5
Calories: 224 kcal

Equipment:

Cosori Air Fryer

Ingredients:

10 pieces mozzarella string cheese (I used Weight Watchers Smoked Flavor)
1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1 egg
1/2 cup flour
1 cup marinara sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Season the breadcrumbs with salt and pepper.
Set up your workstation by placing the flour, breadcrumbs, and eggs in separate bowls.
Dip each mozzarella stick into the flour, then the egg, and finally coat it with breadcrumbs.
Freeze the sticks for 1 hour to help them firm up and maintain their shape during frying.
Preheat your Air Fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly coat the Air Fryer basket with coconut oil using a cooking brush to prevent sticking.
Place the mozzarella sticks in the Air Fryer basket.
Cook for 8 minutes, then carefully flip each stick using tongs or your hands (they should not be too hot). Cook for another 8 minutes.
Allow the sticks to cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the Air Fryer. Some cheese may leak out during cooking; once they cool, use your hands to reshape them if needed.

Notes:

Cooking times may vary depending on the brand of Air Fryer you use. Check the mozzarella sticks at the 4-minute mark and adjust the remaining cooking time accordingly.
One serving = 2 mozzarella sticks

Nutrition (per serving):