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Home » Recipes » Frozen Foods in the Air Fryer

Published: Dec 3, 2024 by marion · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Crispy Frozen Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

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If you love to snack on mozzarella sticks as much as we do, you need this recipe for making frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer! Air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks turn out crispy on the outside, perfectly gooey on the inside, and consistently heated through. The best part is that they take less than 15 minutes to make!

dipping an air fried mozzarella stick in marinara
Jump to:
  • Watch the Video
  • Ingredients
  • How to Air Fry Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
  • Recipe Tips
  • Using a Toaster-Oven Style Air Fryer
  • Air Fryer Frozen Foods
  • Storage Instructions
  • FAQ
  • Frozen Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer
  • Feedback

Watch the Video

YouTube video

We love a good box of frozen mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce, especially as an appetizer when football season rolls around. (They're great for kids' parties, too!)

But when you want your frozen cheese sticks ASAP, the air fryer is the way to go! Air frying frozen mozzarella cheese sticks is quick and easy - it takes just 5 minutes to preheat and 9 minutes of cooking time with no prep work, so you can enjoy them in under 15 minutes. Much faster than making them in your oven!

Ingredients

  • Frozen Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: We're using the TGI Friday's brand, which comes with its own marinara packet. But, any brand of frozen cheese sticks will work, so choose your favorite!
  • Marinara Sauce: TGI Friday's mozzarella sticks come with a frozen packet of marinara to serve them with, but we prefer to make our own homemade red sauce for serving. It's easy, and tastes great!
  • Fresh Herbs: One way to make your frozen foods even more enjoyable is to add fresh ingredients. With air fryer mozzarella sticks, fresh herbs are fantastic! Try fresh parsley and/or basil for garnish.
ingredients for frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer with labels

How to Air Fry Frozen Mozzarella Sticks

Begin by placing the frozen marinara packet in a bowl of water to allow it to thaw while the mozzarella sticks are air frying.

frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket

Step 1

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Once the air fryer is preheated, use tongs to place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they do not overlap and try to leave space between each cheese stick.

checking temperature of mozzarella sticks

Step 2

Air fry for 7-9 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165°F as read by an instant-read food thermometer. This is the safe internal temperature for frozen foods, so we recommend checking.

air fried mozzarella sticks ready to remove from the basket

Step 3

Allow the mozzarella sticks to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving. They will be very hot, so definitely let them cool before you try eating them! Once they've cooled a little, remove them from the air fryer to a serving plate. Garnish with fresh herbs if using, and enjoy with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce on the side!

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks cheese pull

Recipe Tips

  • Keep the mozzarella sticks in the freezer until you're ready to cook them.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave a little room between each mozzarella stick to ensure proper airflow. This is what allows them to cook evenly and brown on all sides for the best flavor.
  • If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, turn it on for 5 minutes at 400°F to preheat before adding the mozzarella sticks.
  • We're using the 7-quart Gourmia air fryer from Costco. See our guide to air fryers for more info.
  • Depending on the model and size of your air fryer, your cook time may vary. We recommend using our time and temperature as a guide, and test to find the perfect temperature for your air fryer model.
  • When cooking in multiple batches, be sure to check on the remaining batches early. They may cook more quickly.
a bowl of marinara next to air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks

Using a Toaster-Oven Style Air Fryer

If you're using a toaster-oven style air fryer model with a tray, such as the Breville Smart Oven Air, the mozzarella sticks may require a little more cook time. Arrange them onto the baking sheet in a single layer without any overlapping cheese sticks for best results. Be sure to test them with an instant-read thermometer before removing them from the air fryer to serve.

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You'll love our other easy air fryer recipes like our fresh chicken wings, frozen egg rolls, and frozen chicken tenders, too!

Storage Instructions

  • Store leftover mozzarella sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for about 3 minutes or until heated through.

FAQ

How do you keep mozzarella sticks from bursting in an air fryer?

As long as you cook them for just the right amount of time, your mozzarella sticks aren't likely to burst open in the air fryer. Make sure not to cook them for too long. We recommend using an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature and ensure they're heated through without over-cooking them!

Do you have to preheat the air fryer for frozen mozzarella sticks?

We recommend preheating the air fryer before air frying frozen mozzarella sticks. This will give you the best, crispiest results. If you don't preheat the air fryer, they might turn out soggy and won't cook through properly in 7-9 minutes. It's easier and safer to preheat; plus, it only takes 5 minutes!

Leave a comment and review for us below if you enjoyed this recipe, or if you have questions about any of our air fryer recipes!

air fryer frozen mozzarella sticks on a plate with marinara sauce in a bowl
dipping an air fried mozzarella stick in marinara

Frozen Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

Make your favorite frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer in under 15 minutes, including the preheat time! Quick, easy, and tasty - perfect for parties!
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 9 minutes mins
Total Time 14 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 3 servings
Calories 290 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 9 frozen mozzarella sticks we're using TGI Friday's brand, but you can use your favorite
  • 1 packet frozen marinara sauce (optional) we recommend making your own! It's easy!
  • fresh herbs for garnish such as parsley or basil; optional

Instructions
 

  • Place 1 packet frozen marinara sauce (optional) in a bowl of water to thaw while you cook the mozzarella sticks.
  • Preheat Air Fryer to 400°F
  • Arrange 9 frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket (or tray) in a single layer. Make sure none of the cheese sticks touch and that there is room between each stick to allow air flow so they cook through properly.
  • Air fry mozzarella sticks for 7-9 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. This is important for food safety, so we recommend checking!
  • Allow the mozzarella sticks to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving. They will be very hot, so don't skip this step!
  • Remove the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer after 1-2 minutes and add them to a serving plate. Sprinkle with fresh herbs for garnish if desired, serve with marinara sauce on the side for dipping, and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know in the comments below!

Notes

  • Note: Included nutritional values are for TGI Friday's brand of frozen mozzarella sticks. This does not include the marinara packet. Please check your frozen mozzarella sticks packaging for accuracy.
  • Keep cheese sticks frozen until ready to air fry.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Allow room between each mozzarella stick.
  • Preheat the air fryer for best results. If your air fryer does not have a preheating function, heat it for 5 minutes at 400°F before adding the mozzarella sticks.
  • We're using a 7-quart Gourmia air fryer from Costco.
  • Cook time may vary depending on your size and model of air fryer. Please use our cook time and temperature as a guideline to find the best temperature and timing for your air fryer model!
  • When cooking in batches, check on subsequent batches early, as they may cook more quickly.

Nutrition

Serving: 3mozzarella sticksCalories: 290kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 10gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 640mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 200mgIron: 0.9mg

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