Gluten-Free Baked Mozzarella Sticks (Air Fryer Option)

These homemade gluten-free mozzarella sticks are crispy, cheesy, and restaurant quality! With oven-baked and air fryer options, this healthier version of the classic game day appetizer is easy to make and delicious to enjoy.

These homemade gluten-free baked mozzarella sticks are the ultimate game day snack. Ooey gooey cheese double breaded in seasoned gluten-free breadcrumbs, baked or air fried, and dipped in marinara sauce. What could be better?!

This appetizer is easy and cheesy, plus it's perfect to prep ahead of time. These crunchy mozzarella sticks can even be frozen for up to 3 months and cooked when the craving strikes.

Perfect for football game day, the super bowl, or a bbq get together, these gluten-free baked mozzarella sticks are sure to be a hit among your guests! Keep reading to learn how to make them.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• What is an Air Fryer?
• Ingredients
• Substitutions
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• How to Serve
• Storage & Freezing
• Expert Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Related Recipes
• Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Super easy to make. Bread the cheese sticks and keep them in the freezer to cook when the craving strikes.
• Restaurant quality, without all the oils. These crispy homemade gluten-free baked mozzarella sticks have all the crunch and flavour of dining out, but you get to control the ingredients. This recipe is purposely oven baked or air fried to reduce the amount of oil and mess.
• Allergy-friendly. This recipe is gluten-free, potentially dairy-free, and nut-free. No one will ever guess it though!

What is an Air Fryer?

Air frying is one of the recommended cooking methods for this recipe.

An air fryer is a small countertop appliance that is basically a mini convection oven. It can cook food quickly and with minimal oil by circulating hot air. It often contains an inner basket with holes to allow for this circulation.

Air fryers are great for making healthier versions of your favourite foods, since less oil is needed to get that "crispiness". Use it to bake, toast, reheat, cook, etc. Basically if you can bake it in the oven, you can air fry it, and probably much faster. 

I will say that it's worth it to get a larger size if you have space for it. Multiple batches are often required if you're doing larger quantities in an air fryer. This is the one I have and I love it! I highly recommend adding an air fryer to your kitchen appliance repertoire. 

Try more of my air fryer recipes such as Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks, Air Fryer Potato Wedges, Gluten-Free Jalapeño Poppers, and more!

Note: Be careful with gluten cross-contamination in any small appliance like an air fryer. Air fryers have dozens of tiny holes for the hot air to circulate. That is the perfect place for gluten particles to hide. If you are celiac or have a severe gluten intolerance, please look into having your own dedicated gluten-free air fryer.

Ingredients

Here is everything you'll need to make these gluten-free mozzarella sticks:

• 8 mozzarella cheese sticks: These will be cut in half widthwise to get 16 cheese sticks. Use Daiya dairy-free cheese sticks if preferred.
• Any gluten-free flour: Use what you have. Rice flour or tapioca starch recommended.
• Eggs: For binding the breadcrumbs to the cheese sticks.
• Gluten-free breadcrumbs: Aurora gluten-free breadcrumbs are my favourite.
• Spices: The combination of Italian spices will make these mozza sticks taste amazing.
• Red pepper flakes: Optional if you like a bit of spice.
• Avocado oil or cooking spray: Use enough to drizzle on the mozzarella sticks before baking. Since we aren't frying them, a little oil will help them crisp nicely.
• Marinara sauce: The best dipping sauce for these mozzarella sticks.
• Parsley: To garnish.

Substitutions

While this recipe was developed with optimal ingredient pairings, here are a few substitution suggestions if required:

• Dairy-Free: To make dairy-free mozzarella sticks, I recommend using Daiya dairy-free mozzarella sticks. Note that I have not tried these personally, so I cannot say how stretchy or gooey they may be when baked.
• Flour: Feel free to use any gluten-free flour you have—all purpose, rice flour, tapioca starch, anything will do.
• Egg: The egg is quite essential in binding the breadcrumbs to the cheese sticks. I have not tried any other substitution to make this recipe egg-free or vegan.
• Spice: Add paprika, cayenne, or chili flakes to the breadcrumbs for some heat.
• Oil: Just a little bit of oil is used to crisp up the coating while baking. Use cooking spray, avocado oil, olive oil, or really any spray/oil you have.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions. 

(1) Begin by preparing the breading station with 3 bowls: one with the gluten-free flour, one with the eggs, and one with the breadcrumbs, salt, basil, oregano, garlic powder, and pepper. Stir together the breadcrumbs and spices then whisk the eggs.

(2) - (6) One at a time, coat each cheese stick lightly in the gluten-free flour, followed by egg, breadcrumbs, then back to the egg and breadcrumbs once more. A double breading will be your best protection against oozing cheese while cooking. Ensure that most of the egg drips off to avoid the breadcrumbs becoming too sticky. If you find this happening, add some fresh breadcrumbs.

To avoid sticky breadcrumbs, try using the “wet hand, dry hand” technique, where one hand is reserved for dipping the mozzarella stick in the flour and breadcrumbs, and the other coats it in the egg. 

(7) Place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze for at least 2 hours. This is important! The mozzarella sticks need to be completely frozen before frying or baking, otherwise the breading may fall right off and cheese will ooze everywhere.

If you will not be cooking the mozzarella sticks right away, transfer them from the baking sheet to an airtight container and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Air Fryer Instructions

(8) Preheat the air fryer to 375ºF. Spray the basket with avocado oil or cooking spray. Place the mozzarella sticks in the basket with 1-2cm of space between them. You may have to do multiple batches. Spray the tops of the sticks with oil. Air fry for 5-6 minutes until crispy. If they start oozing cheese, they are done.

Oven Instructions 

(9) Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Arrange the mozzarella sticks on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. Drizzle with avocado oil or cooking spray. Bake for 10-12 minutes until crisp. Keep an eye on them. If they start oozing cheese, they are done.

Remove to a platter and serve immediately with marinara sauce and a garnish of parsley. Enjoy hot!

How to Serve

There are so many ways to enjoy gluten-free baked mozzarella sticks. Here are some suggestions for how to serve them:

• Plain. Enjoy hot mozzarella sticks on their own.
• Dip in marinara sauce. This is my dipping sauce of choice. It pairs with the Italian flavours so well and is the most common sauce pairing at restaurants.
• Dip in garlic aioli or pesto. More sauce options that would be delicious with these crispy mozzarella sticks. Visit my air fried zucchini fries recipe for a homemade garlic aioli.
• Alongside other game day apps. These oven baked mozzarella sticks will be delicious alongside some other gluten-free football apps such as Crispy Air Fryer Fried Pickles, Gluten-Free Onion Rings, Air Fryer Potato Wedges, or Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings. Check out all of my gluten-free appetizer recipes here!

Storage & Freezing

Before cooking: Feel free to prepare the mozzarella sticks ahead of time. Flash freeze on the baking sheet until solid, about 2 hours. Then transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake according to instructions. 

After cooking: Uneaten cooked mozzarella sticks can be cooled and stored back in the freezer. Reheat in the air fryer at 375ºF or the oven at 400ºF for a few minutes until crispy and warm again. Serve with marinara sauce if desired.

Expert Tips

• Don't skimp on the seasoning. Salt and spices amp up the flavour big time in these homemade mozza sticks.
• Use the "wet hand, dry hand" method. To avoid sticky breadcrumbs and fingers, use one hand for dipping the cheese stick in the flour and breadcrumbs, and the other hand for coating it in the egg. 
• Freeze the mozzarella sticks solid. Once mozzarella sticks are breaded, don't touch them. Transfer to the freezer immediately for at least 2 hours until completely frozen. Trust me, any less time and you will have cheese oozing everywhere if you try to bake them.
• Keep an eye out while baking. You want the mozzarella sticks to be golden and feel firm to the touch with minimal cheese escaping. A little ooze is to be expected.
• Enjoy with dipping sauce. Marinara is my personal favourite, it pairs very well with the Italian-style flavours. Garlic aioli or pesto would also be delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions

Now you've made these delicious and crispy gluten-free baked (or air fried) mozzarella sticks! This recipe is quick, easy to prep, and most important delicious. The perfect appetizer for a football game day or bbq get together. Find more gluten-free appetizer recipes below!

More Gluten-Free Apps:

• Gluten-Free Salsa Pinwheels
• Easy Gluten-Free Jalapeño Poppers
• Gluten-Free Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
• Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
• Gluten-Free Air Fryer Fried Pickles
• Gluten-Free Onion Rings

Related Recipes

Have you made these gluten-free mozzarella sticks? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5-star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and tag me on instagram @livglutenfree!

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