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I’m such a fan of mozzarella sticks – and halloumi sticks, and mozzarella balls and all kinds of cheese topped with a crumb – and if they’re on a menu, you can bet I’m going to order them.
However, I’ve never been able to replicate the crispy coating and melted center at home. That was until I discovered this Cheetos coated mozzarella stick air fryer recipe on YouTube Shorts.
The original video was posted by Lisa Nguyen – a YouTuber with over 4.2 million subscribers – and the recipe is just 10 minutes from start to finish. With 19 million views, and counting, the recipe I followed is proof that the best air fryers are just as good for making quick snacks as they are for preparing larger meals and side dishes.
Below, I’ll show you how to make Lisa’s mozzarella sticks recipe at home and suggest how you can put your own spin on this comforting cheesy treat.
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Air fryer mozzarella sticks recipe
In her video, Lisa uses hot Cheetos to form the crumb coat for the mozzarella sticks. I’m not a fan so opted for standard Cheetos instead. However, any corn gruel or potato chips will do the job. You just need to make sure they are finely ground.
You can also use breadcrumbs, panko crumbs, or anything else that will get a crispy coating after cooking. The same applies, for example, to replacing mozzarella with halloumi or using a vegan cheese alternative.
In Lisa’s original video, her mozzarella sticks were uniform in size and shape, but I couldn’t find such sticks at my local store. Instead, I bought a ball of mozzarella and cut it into strips to get the same effect.
Air fryer mozzarella sticks ingredients
The amount of ingredients you need depends on the number of sticks you want to make. The quantities below use one ball of mozzarella, which makes about eight sticks.
You can also use frozen mozzarella sticks; but please note that cooking times may vary.
- 120g Cheetos
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup of flour
- Mozzarella sticks/ball
While this particular recipe is not suitable for vegans, you can replace the mozzarella and Cheetos with vegan alternatives, and replace the chicken eggs with flaxseed eggs (linseed mixed with water).
Airfryer mozzarella sticks method
I used the Tower T17099 Vortx Eco Airfryer with double basket (opens in new tab), set at 200 °C for seven minutes. This resulted in a crispy crumb and a melted core that did not seep out of the coating.
Step 1: Cut the ball of mozzarella into strips.
Step 2: Pour the flour into a bowl, beat two eggs in a second bowl and crush Cheetos in a third, shallow bowl.
Step 3: Coat each skewer individually with flour before dipping into the beaten eggs.
Step 4: Remove the excess egg and roll the mozzarella stick in the crushed Cheetos. Gently squeeze the stick and Cheetos in the palm of your hand to press the crumb into the cheese.
Step 5: Place the coated mozzarella sticks in rows in the airfryer. Place the skewers as far apart as possible – and ideally on a grill rack. If you don’t have a grill rack, line the basket with aluminum foil so you can easily remove the skewers once they’re cooked.
Step 6: Set the hot air fryer to 200°C and cook for seven minutes. If using frozen mozzarella sticks, adjust cooking time accordingly. Make sure the skewers are piping hot all the way through before serving.
Step 7: Remove from the airfryer and let cool briefly before serving. This is to maintain the structural integrity of the sticks and prevent them from melting in your hands.
Airfryer mozzarella sticks recipe statement
If you’re a cheese lover, you’ll love this quick, tasty, and comforting recipe. The mozzarella sticks are the perfect appetizer or snack, and they’ll definitely be on the menu the next time I have friends over.
Despite the softness of the Cheetos corn puffs, they are crunchy enough to add a cheesy bite to the soft center.
They don’t quite have the crunch of fried sticks, but they don’t have the calories either, so it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make to have mozzarella sticks in the house.
If you’re still on the fence wondering if you should buy an air fryer, you might want to read our article to decide if air fryers are worth it?