Erin’s Recipe Rundown
Texture: Melty, stretchy cheese in a crispy, crunchy coating.
Taste: Savory, slightly tangy cheese coated in a mild, toasty breadcrumb layer.
Ease: Made with 4 simple ingredients, it’s easy to make in the air fryer or deep-fried.
Top Tips: This is a great make-ahead recipe! Prep the sticks, then freeze them until you’re ready to fry and serve.
Recommended GF Flour: Use any gluten-free all-purpose flour — this one doesn’t require a specific measure-for-measure flour.
Would I make these again? Definitely! These gluten-free mozzarella sticks are a hit at every party — game days, birthdays, or even a casual weekend dinner.
xoxo erin
Who doesn’t love mozzarella sticks? They’re gooey and cheesy on the inside plus crisp and crunchy on the outside — an irresistible combination! And even better, this recipe is totally gluten-free, but no one will be the wiser.
Pair these gluten-free mozzarella sticks with marinara, ranch dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce. This is the perfect snack for any occasion!
Featured Comment
From Jessica: “My boys absolutely LOVED these and now we make them at least once a week. Thank you!”
Table of Contents
- Erin’s Recipe Rundown
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks
- Make-Ahead/Storage/Freezing Instructions
- Are there gluten-free mozzarella sticks I can buy?
- Can I add spices to these gluten-free mozzarella sticks?
- What kind of oil should I use?
- Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks Tips & Tricks
- More Gluten-Free Appetizers
- Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks (FRY OR AIR-FRY!) Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are a few notes on some of the key ingredients to make these gluten-free mozzarella sticks. Jump to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs: For best results, use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. They’re light and airy which creates a crispier, crunchier coating for the ideal texture!
- Gluten-free flour: The flour helps the breadcrumbs stick to the cheese. You can use any kind of gluten-free all-purpose flour for this recipe. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a measure-for-measure flour.
- Eggs: The eggs bind the coating onto the mozzarella and ensures the coating crisps up golden-brown.
- Mozzarella: While you can use pre-sliced mozzarella sticks for ease, freshly sliced mozzarella cheese will give you a meltier, higher quality mozzarella stick. I like to buy a block of whole milk mozzarella cheese and slice it up myself!
How to Make Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks
Here’s an overview of how to make these mozzarella sticks. You can jump to the recipe for the full instructions!
- Slice and prep: Cut the mozzarella in half lengthwise, then cut those halves into sticks that are about 1/2″ thick. Set up 3 bowls: one with gluten-free flour, one with eggs (whisked until smooth and sprinkled with a pinch of salt), and one with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Use the dipping station: Dip each mozzarella stick, first in gluten-free flour, then in the egg, and finally in the gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- On a baking sheet: Place each coated stick onto the prepared baking sheet. Freeze the mozzarella sticks (at least 2 hours).
- To fry: Heat oil to 365°F in a heavy-bottomed 8″ saucepan (you need a few inches of oil in the pan). Fry the sticks in batches (about 4-5 at once) until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes). Don’t forget to flip them halfway through! Drain briefly on a paper towel then serve immediately.
- To air fry: Set the air fryer to 390°F. Spray the air fryer basket and mozzarella sticks with nonstick cooking spray. Air fry until golden and crispy (about 6-8 minutes). You can do them in batches or all at once depending on your air fryer’s capacity.
Make some gluten-free meatballs to go along with the mozzarella sticks for one satisfying meal!
Make-Ahead/Storage/Freezing Instructions
To Make-Ahead: This is a great make-ahead recipe! Prep the mozzarella sticks, then freeze them until you’re ready to fry.
To Store: These mozzarella sticks are best eaten right after frying, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: You can freeze uncooked or cooked mozzarella sticks in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Fry uncooked sticks from frozen. Reheat cooked mozzarella sticks in the air fryer or warm them in the oven at 375°F until heated through.
Are there gluten-free mozzarella sticks I can buy?
Most mozzarella sticks aren’t gluten-free, since they’re dipped in regular breadcrumbs, or a batter that contains gluten. However, you can make your own gluten-free mozzarella sticks. I used gluten-free breadcrumbs in my recipe!
Can I add spices to these gluten-free mozzarella sticks?
Definitely! You can add spices into breadcrumbs before dipping the mozzarella! Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, or black pepper can all be used to add a little something extra. For spicier sticks, try a little chili powder, cayenne pepper, or paprika. You can even serve the mozzarella sticks with a spicy dipping sauce, like sriracha mayo.
What kind of oil should I use?
You can use any neutral oil you like. Consider the smoke point and flavors when making your selection. You want to use one with a high smoke point since you’ll be using it to fry the mozzarella sticks. You also don’t want an oil with its own strong flavor since it could change how the mozzarella sticks taste.
Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks Tips & Tricks
- You can use pre-sliced cheese sticks to save time, but I’ve found that slicing a block of mozzarella fresh yields meltier cheese sticks.
- This is a great make-ahead appetizer, since you can freeze the sticks before frying for a week or more!
- I’ve tried making these mozzarella sticks with many kinds of gluten-free breadcrumbs, but gluten-free panko breadcrumbs always work best to create a crispy crust!
- Feel free to add more seasoning to the breadcrumbs, if you’d like. You could add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, or black pepper for extra flavor.
More Gluten-Free Appetizers
- Gluten-Free Charcuterie
- Gluten-Free Soft Pretzels
- Gluten-Free Cheese Breadsticks
- Gluten-Free Stuffed Mushrooms
- Gluten-Free Jalapeno Poppers
- Hot Artichoke Dip
- Bacon Wrapped Dates
- Caramelized Onion Dip
Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks (FRY OR AIR-FRY!)
Ingredients
- 16 ounce block whole milk mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour any kind brand will work
- 3 large eggs
- 10-14 ounces gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
- Oil of choice for frying I use vegetable oil
Instructions
- Cut the block of mozzarella in half lengthwise. Then cut those halves into sticks that are about ½-inch thick.
- Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Set up 3 bowls for a dipping station. – Gluten-free all purpose flour– Eggs whisked together until smooth with a pinch of salt – Gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
- Dip each cheese stick in the gluten-free flour, followed by the egg and finally the gluten-free panko. Place each coated stick on the baking sheet.
- Freeze the mozzarella sticks, on the baking sheet, for at least for two hours.
TO FRY:
- In a heavy bottomed 8-inch saucepan, heat the oil of choice to 365F. You want there to be a few inches of oil in the pan.
- Fry the mozzarella sticks in batches (about 4-5 at a time) for about 2-3 minutes, until golden brown. Flipping once halfway through.
- Let the cheese sticks drain briefly on a paper towel, then serve immediately with marinara sauce. Enjoy!
TO AIR FRY:
- Set your air fryer to 390°F. Spray the air fryer basket and the mozzarella sticks with a nonstick cooking spray. Air fry the mozzarella sticks (in batches if desired or necessary, as space permits) for 6 to 8 minutes until the exterior is golden and crispy.
Any thoughts on a way to replace the eggs?
Hi Shawna, thank you for question! We don’t typically use egg replacements so we can’t speak to how any would do in this recipe. If you decide to give it a try, we’d love to hear how it goes!
My boys absolutely LOVED these and now we make them at least once a week. Thank you!
So happy to have found a gluten free recipe! These tasted so good in the air fryer!!
Amazing! The best part is no one could tell there gluten free, thank you!
Have you tried these in the oven? I was thinking that might be a good option for our household.