Crispy gluten-free mozzarella sticks made in the air fryer! Crunchy outside, melty inside—so easy to make and way better than store-bought!
Let me paint you a picture: I’m standing in my kitchen, deep in battle with a tray of mozzarella sticks that should be crispy, golden perfection. Instead? Cheese oozing everywhere, coating my air fryer in a stringy, chaotic mess. It was tragic. I almost swore off homemade mozzarella sticks forever.
But if you know me, you know I don’t give up on cheese that easily. I tweaked my process, played around with freezing times, and figured out that a quick chill before air frying is the secret sauce. (Not literally, though dipping these in marinara is a must.)
Now? These gluten-free mozzarella sticks are a household favorite. And here’s the best part—no one even notices they’re gluten-free! That’s when you know you’ve got a winner.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks Recipe?
- Crispy, golden coating – Without a single drop of deep fryer oil.
- Perfect cheese pull – You know what I’m talking about.
- Gluten-free but secretly so – No weird aftertaste, no one will guess.
- Easy to make – A little prep, a quick freeze, and you’re good to go.
Ingredient Notes:
The Batter (Where the Magic Starts)
- Cornstarch & flour – Creates a light but sturdy coating. Think of it like a protective shell for the cheese.
- Cornmeal – This is so underrated—it adds just a hint of crunch.
- Garlic powder & salt – Because nobody wants bland mozzarella sticks.
The Coating (Crunch Factor = 100%)
- Panko bread crumbs – The crispy, airy breadcrumbs that make all the difference. Regular breadcrumbs just don’t compare.
- Dried herbs (parsley, oregano, basil) – That Italian restaurant-level seasoning.
- Onion powder & garlic powder – Because flavor is everything.
The Star of the Show
- Mozzarella cheese – Stick with block mozzarella and cut it into strips. Pre-shredded cheese? Don’t even think about it.
How To Make Air Fryer Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks?
Step 1: Make the Batter
Mix water, flour, cornstarch, cornmeal, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl. You want it thick, like pancake batter—too runny and it’ll slide right off.
Step 2: Get That Crunchy Coating Ready
In another bowl, stir together panko, salt, pepper, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and basil. This mix is the reason these sticks are so crispy.
Step 3: Coat the Mozzarella Sticks
First, dust each cheese stick lightly with flour (it helps the batter stick). Dip it in the batter, then roll it in the panko mixture. Press gently so the coating really sticks.
Step 4: Freeze (Yes, It’s Important!)
Lay the coated sticks on a tray and freeze them for at least an hour. This is not an optional step. If you skip it, say hello to a melted cheese explosion.
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Step 5: Air Fry to Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer, spray lightly with cooking spray, and air fry for 6 minutes. Flip them over, then cook for another 7-9 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Step 6: Devour Immediately
Let them cool for a minute (because nobody wants a burned mouth), then dunk in marinara sauce. Try not to eat them all at once. Actually… just go for it.
Storage Options:
Mozzarella sticks rarely last long, but if you need to store them:
- Fridge: Keep them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to keep them crispy.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked mozzarella sticks for up to 3 months. No need to thaw—just air fry straight from frozen!
Variations and Substitutions:
If you like to experiment, here are a few ways to remix your mozzarella sticks:
- Spicy Kick – Add cayenne pepper to the coating for some heat.
- Different Cheese – Try pepper jack for a bolder flavor or cheddar for something different.
- Keto Version – Swap panko for crushed pork rinds. Sounds weird, but trust me, it works.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks?
Mozzarella sticks are a moment on their own, but if you wanna take things up a notch, try pairing them with:
- Marinara sauce – Because tradition matters.
- Garlic aioli – If you love a creamy, garlicky dip.
- Buffalo sauce – For spice lovers.
- Ranch dressing – Controversial, but don’t knock it till you try it.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why did my cheese leak out?
You probably skipped the freezing step (big mistake) or didn’t coat them evenly. Freezing keeps everything intact while they cook.
Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko?
You can, but you won’t get the same crispy texture. Panko is the way to go.
Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Yep! Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Not as crispy, but still good.
There you have it—crispy, gooey, gluten-free air fryer mozzarella sticks that are so much better than store-bought. They’re cheesy, crunchy, and honestly, ridiculously easy to make.
If you try these, I need to know—what’s your go-to dipping sauce? Are you a classic marinara fan, a ranch rebel, or something totally unexpected? Drop a comment below—I wanna hear all about it!
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Air Fryer Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Ingredients
For the Batter
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 5 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp cornmeal
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
For the Coating
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp dried parsley flakes
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp dried basil
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour or as needed
For the Mozzarella Sticks
- 5 oz mozzarella cheese cut into ½-inch strips
- Cooking spray
Instructions
Prepare the Batter
- In a shallow mixing bowl, combine the water, flour, cornstarch, cornmeal, garlic powder, and salt. Stir thoroughly until a smooth, thick batter forms. It should be similar in consistency to pancake batter. If the mixture appears too thick, add a small amount of water; if too thin, incorporate a little more flour.
Prepare the Coating
- In a separate shallow bowl, mix the panko bread crumbs with salt, black pepper, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and basil. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings. In a third bowl, place the additional 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour.
Coat the Mozzarella Sticks
- Lightly dust each mozzarella strip with flour, ensuring an even coating. Dip each piece into the prepared batter, allowing excess to drip off. Then, roll the stick in the seasoned panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating securely. Repeat the process for all mozzarella sticks.
Freeze the Coated Mozzarella Sticks
- Arrange the coated sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for at least one hour. This step is essential to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during air frying.
Air Fry the Mozzarella Sticks
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Arrange the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. Lightly spray them with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 6 minutes, then carefully flip each mozzarella stick using tongs. Continue cooking for an additional 7 to 9 minutes, or until the exterior is golden brown and crisp.
Serve Immediately
- Remove the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or your preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!