Skip the Deep Fry: 5-Minute Air Fryer TGI Friday’s Mozzarella Sticks

TGI friday’s mozzarella sticks air fryer are a classic appetizer that you just can’t get enough of. The gooey mozzarella cheese and crispy seasoned breading is a match made in heaven. But who wants to go out to a restaurant just for mozzarella sticks? With an air fryer, you can now make perfect replicas of TGI Friday’s mozzarella sticks right in your own kitchen.

Making mozzarella sticks in an air fryer results in an evenly crispy coating and melty cheese interior every time. The air fryer circulates hot air all around the mozzarella sticks, cooking them much faster and more evenly than a traditional oven. You’ll end up with appetizers that are crispy and golden on the outside and filled with delicious, oozing cheese on the inside.

Ready to learn how to make TGI Friday’s style mozzarella sticks that are just as delicious as the restaurant version? Follow this simple air fryer mozzarella stick recipe and tips to fry up the ultimate cheesy appetizer.

How to Make TGI Friday’s Mozzarella Sticks in an Air Fryer

Making mozzarella sticks in an air fryer is easy to do. Here is a step-by-step guide to making crispy, melty air fryer mozzarella sticks:

Ingredients:

• 12 mozzarella cheese sticks
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Oil for misting or cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Cut the mozzarella sticks in half widthwise so they are shorter. This helps them cook evenly.
2. In one shallow bowl, beat the eggs. In a second shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, flour, and Parmesan.
3. One at a time, dip the mozzarella sticks first in the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then roll them in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Transfer the breaded sticks to a plate.
4. Mist the mozzarella sticks lightly with oil or spray with cooking spray. This helps the breading get extra crispy.
5. Arrange the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure none are touching.
6. Air fry at 400°F for 5-6 minutes, flipping the sticks halfway through cooking, until the breading is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
7. Serve the crispy mozzarella sticks immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.

That’s all it takes to make restaurant-quality mozzarella sticks at home! The air fryer cooks them up quickly for a crispy crust and gooey center.

Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Follow these handy tips for getting the perfect crispiness and cheese pull every time you make mozzarella sticks in your air fryer:

• Choose good quality low moisture mozzarella cheese sticks. Standard mozzarella or fresh mozzarella will result in a stringy mess.
• Cut the mozzarella sticks in half first so they cook more evenly. Whole sticks may melt through or undercook.
• Use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for extra flavor. Panko breadcrumbs also work well for a crunchy crust.
• Mist the mozzarella sticks with oil or spray before air frying. This helps the breading get super crispy.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches for even crispiness.
• Flip the mozzarella sticks halfway during cooking to crisp both sides.
• Don’t overcook or the cheese can become rubbery. 5-6 minutes is perfect.
• Serve immediately for the best texture.

Follow these tips and you’ll have restaurant-worthy mozzarella sticks every time you make them in the air fryer!

Get Creative with Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Once you’ve mastered the art of air frying mozzarella sticks, get creative with different flavors! Here are some fun flavor twist ideas to try:

• Garlic Parmesan: Add minced garlic and extra grated Parmesan to the breadcrumb coating.
• Italian Herb: Use Italian breadcrumbs or italian seasoning and oregano in the coating.
• Bacon Ranch: Toss crispy cooked crumbled bacon and ranch seasoning in the breadcrumbs.
• Chipotle: Add chipotle chili powder and cumin to the breadcrumb mixture.
• Pesto: Swap basil pesto for the egg wash to add herby flavor.
• Everything Bagel: Use everything bagel seasoning instead of plain Italian breadcrumbs for the coating.
• Cheese-stuffed: Wrap mozzarella sticks with a slice of provolone or cheddar before breading.

Mix up the cheeses too. Provolone, cheddar, pepper jack, and fontina all melt beautifully in the air fryer.

With an air fryer, the possibilities for customized mozzarella sticks are endless. Get creative with flavors that your family and friends will love!

Serve Up Restaurant-Worthy Mozzarella Sticks

TGI Friday’s will always have a place in our hearts for their appetizers, especially their mozzarella sticks. But now you can skip the restaurant and make your own crispy, melty mozzarella sticks at home whenever the craving strikes.

With an air fryer, perfectly cooked mozzarella sticks are just minutes away. Dip them in marinara sauce for an irresistible appetizer or snack. Extra points if you serve them with chocolate sauce for dipping like they do at TGI Fridays!

These easy air fryer mozzarella sticks will be a hit at home. Customize them with fun flavor variations to please any tastebuds. With just a few ingredients and your air fryer on your kitchen counter, you can enjoy Friday night appetizers anytime.

The Perfect Marinara Sauce to Serve with Mozzarella Sticks

Crispy, golden mozzarella sticks just aren’t complete without a marinara dipping sauce. But not just any marinara will do. To complement the cheesy appetizer, you need a bold, zesty marinara that can stand up to all that richness.

A homemade marinara sauce takes mozzarella sticks to the next level, but most jarred sauces just don’t cut it. Here is a simple recipe for making the perfect marinara at home in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, sugar, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
3. Let the sauce simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until thickened.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil.
5. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

This easy homemade marinara sauce comes together quickly but tastes like it simmered all day. The olive oil and garlic provide a rich, robust base while the tomatoes and spices keep it fresh and flavorful.

Bubbly hot mozzarella cheese needs an acidity to balance it out. That’s why this marinara recipe has a dash of sugar and red pepper flakes, to brighten it up. The end result is a sauce that perfectly complements crispy mozzarella sticks without overpowering them.

For even easier marinara, you can also mix jarred sauce with tomato paste, Italian seasoning, olive oil, and garlic. Just cook for 5-10 minutes for the flavors to blend.

Don’t be tempted to skip the sauce when cooking mozzarella sticks. With a homemade marinara for dipping, every bite will be irresistible!

Enjoy the Taste of TGI Fridays at Home with These Copycat Recipes

TGI Fridays has some of the most craveworthy appetizers that are perfect to enjoy at home. With these copycat recipes, you can recreate their delicious flavors in your own kitchen using an air fryer or oven. The next time you have a craving, skip the restaurant and make these TGI Fridays classics instead!

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Crispy, gooey mozzarella sticks are irresistible. These air fryer sticks turn out golden brown and melty, just like the TGI Fridays version!

Ingredients:

• Mozzarella cheese sticks
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan
• Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Bread sticks with egg and breadcrumb mixture seasoned with Parmesan and Italian seasoning.
2. Mist with oil and air fry at 400F until crispy, about 5-6 minutes.

Fridays Potato Skins

Loaded with cheese, bacon, and scallions, these potato skins are a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients:

• Baked potato halves
• Shredded cheese
• Cooked bacon
• Sour cream
• Scallions

Instructions:

1. Scoop out insides of baked potatoes, leaving 1/4 inch thickness.
2. Brush with oil and broil cut-side up until crispy.
3. Top with cheese, bacon, and scallions and broil until melted.
4. Serve with sour cream.

Copycat Fridays Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Creamy, cheesy, and full of savory flavor, this hot spinach artichoke dip rivals the TGI Fridays favorite. Best served with tortilla chips or pita slices.

Ingredients:

• Frozen spinach
• Artichokes
• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Parmesan
• Garlic
• Onion

Instructions:

1. Saute onion and garlic and mix with thawed and drained spinach and artichokes.
2. Add cream cheese, sour cream, and Parmesan and heat until warm and creamy.
3. Serve immediately with dippers.

With these simple copycat recipes, you can feel like every night is Friday night! Enjoy the flavors of TGI Fridays’ famous appetizers from the comfort of your own home.

Have More Fun with Mozzarella: 6 Creative Ways to Use Up Leftover Cheese

Mozzarella is one of the most versatile cheeses available. With its mild flavor and meltability, it can be used in endless dishes beyond just pizza and mozzarella sticks. Whether you have extra fresh mozzarella from making homemade cheese sticks or an opened package

Commonly Asked Questions About Mozzarella Sticks: Answered

Mozzarella sticks are a delicious and popular appetizer that you can now easily make at home. However, when it comes to getting the method just right, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about how to make the best homemade mozzarella sticks.

What is the best cheese for mozzarella sticks?

For evenly melting cheese that won’t be stringy, use low moisture mozzarella, also known as low moisture whole milk or part skim mozzarella. Avoid fresh mozzarella which contains too much moisture. Provolone, fontina, and white cheddar also work well.

How do you keep the cheese from oozing out?

Using low moisture mozzarella prevents excess melting and leakage. Cutting the mozzarella stick in half or into smaller pieces also helps the cheese stay contained when cooking.

Should you freeze the mozzarella before breading?

Freezing for 30-60 minutes firms up the cheese for easier breading, but isn’t required. Make sure the cheese isn’t ice cold when cooking or it may not melt properly.

What is the best breading for mozzarella sticks?

Equal parts all-purpose flour and Italian style bread crumbs makes a crispy breading. You can also use panko bread crumbs or cornmeal for crunch. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and Parmesan.

How long do you cook frozen mozzarella sticks?

Cook frozen cheese sticks for 1-2 minutes longer, around 7-8 minutes at 400°F. Check that the breading is crispy and browned and the cheese is fully melted inside.

How do you get mozzarella sticks crispy in the air fryer?

Mist the breaded sticks with oil before cooking for extra crispy results. Cook at 400°F, flipping halfway through, until deeply golden brown. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.

Why are my mozzarella sticks soggy?

Excess moisture in the cheese or batter can make the breading soggy. Make sure to blot dry the cheese sticks after breading and use an oil mist or cooking spray before air frying.

Can you make baked mozzarella sticks?

Yes, bake breaded cheese sticks on a parchment lined baking sheet in a 425°F oven for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway. The breading may not be quite as crispy as air frying.

How long do breaded mozzarella sticks last in the fridge?

Raw breaded mozzarella sticks can be refrigerated up to 24 hours before cooking. To freeze, place on a tray in a single layer and freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag.

With the right techniques and recipes, you can make restaurant quality mozzarella sticks at home using your air fryer for crispy, melty results. Follow these tips for the best homemade appetizer!