Air Fryer Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
These Air Fryer Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks are irresistibly crispy on the outside and perfectly gooey inside. Made with seasoned panko and cooked to golden perfection, they are a lighter, gluten-free alternative to deep-fried versions. Perfect for dipping!
4 Servings
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
To ensure this recipe remains gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour in both the batter and the coating with a gluten-free flour blend. Additionally, confirm that the panko bread crumbs used are labeled gluten-free, as standard panko contains wheat. Following these substitutions will maintain the crispiness and flavor while making the recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet.