Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks are a healthier alternative to a classic appetizer. They're perfectly golden brown and crispy with a gooey, cheesy center. Air fry or bake these gluten free cheese sticks and pair with marinara sauce for an addictive snack.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- What You Need For Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks
- How To Make Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks
- Expert Tips For The Best Mozzarella Sticks
- What To Serve With Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storing And Reheating Leftovers
- Did you make this recipe?
- Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks
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Do you love the crispy, cheesy goodness of mozzarella sticks, but need to follow a gluten free diet? Well look no further because today I'm sharing the BEST recipe for gluten free mozzarella sticks.
We use gluten free bread crumbs and coconut flour to ensure they're 100% gluten free. But no one will even know because they're crispy on the outside, gooey in the middle, and, when paired with marinara sauce, are completely addictive.
Another reason this gluten free recipe is unique is that they're baked or air fried instead of deep frying which makes them A LOT healthier than the traditional recipe since there's no oil.
If you're nervous about making mozzarella sticks at home, please don't be. This recipe is super simple and easy to make even if you're not the best cook.
Read below for all my tips and tricks to make this perfect game day appetizer.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's a classic appetizer, turned gluten free
- This recipe is a crowd pleaser that EVERYONE loves
- You only need a few simple ingredients
- These gluten free mozzarella sticks can be prepared ahead of time
- These can be baked or air fried
- There's no oil in this recipe so they're healthier
- Crispy, golden brown breading and gooey, cheesy center
What You Need For Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks
Kitchen Tools:
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- 3 shallow bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet
- Air fryer
Ingredients and Substitutions:
- Mozzarella: I prefer to use whole milk mozzarella sticks, but you can use block mozzarella instead
- Coconut flour: This is for the dredge that is needed in order to help the bread crumbs to stick. You can substitute with arrowroot starch or gluten free all purpose flour
- Gluten free Italian bread crumbs: I like the Aleia's brand Italian bread crumbs, but you can also use their plain bread crumbs or regular Italian bread crumbs if you're not gluten free
- Egg: The egg is needed for the egg wash that ensures the bread crumbs will stick
- Spices: I like to season the breading a little more with salt, pepper, garlic power, and cumin but this is optional
How To Make Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks
- Cut the mozzarella sticks in half and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Next, prepare your breading station by setting out your three shallow bowls
- In one bowl add the coconut flour, in another bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water, and in the last one combine the Italian breadcrumbs with the spices
- Working one at a time, dredge a half of string cheese into the coconut flour, dip it into the egg wash, then coat in the seasoned breadcrumbs and place onto your parchment lined baking sheet
- Repeat with the remaining halves until every one is coated in breadcrumbs
- Place the baking sheet into the freezer and allow the gluten free mozzarella sticks to freeze for a minimum of 2 hours
- After they're fully frozen you can decide if you want to bake them or air fry
Air Frying
If air frying, please follow these instructions after freezing.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F
- Once preheated, spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and lay the mozzarella sticks in a single layer
- Spray the tops of them them with the olive oil spray and return the basket
- Cook at 400 degrees F for 7-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy
- Serve immediately and enjoy
Baking
If baking your homemade mozzarella sticks, please follow these instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- After the oven is preheated, remove the mozzarella sticks from the freezer and place them onto the parchment lined baking sheet
- Spray the tops with olive oil spray and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and crisp
- Enjoy immediately for best results
Expert Tips For The Best Mozzarella Sticks
- I like to use whole milk cheese sticks for convenience, but you can cut a block of mozzarella into sticks
- Don't skip dredging the mozzarella sticks, otherwise the breadcrumbs might not stick
- Use gluten free all purpose flour or arrowroot starch if you have a nut allergy
- Freezing for 2 hours is SUPER IMPORTANT. You want the mozzarella to be fully frozen or else it will melt when cooking
- Spray them with avocado or olive oil spray before cooking to attain that perfectly crisp, golden exterior
- Serve with hearty marinara sauce, avocado ranch, or buffalo sauce as an easy appetizer
What To Serve With Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks
These make a great appetizer when served with a dipping sauce sauce, but they're also great for a game day party in among other yummy dishes. Here's a few ideas:
- Air fryer potato skins
- Air fryer pigs in a blanket
- Gluten free garlic bread
- Dairy free buffalo chicken dip
- Gluten free chili
- Gluten free buffalo chicken tenders
Frequently Asked Questions
You don't need to use string cheese, I just find it more convenient. If you don't want to use string cheese, just cut blocked mozzarella into sticks.
Yes, if you have a nut allergy or just don't have coconut flour you can substitute it with arrowroot starch or a gluten free all purpose flour.
No, if you're not gluten free you can make them with regular Italian breadcrumbs and use all purpose flour instead of the coconut flour.
I don't recommend using panko because the flakes are too big and as much as I like a crispy mozzarella stick, the panko is just too crunchy.
You can bake premade frozen sticks at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes until the outside is crisp and golden brown.
If you'd like to purchase frozen mozzarella sticks from the store, both Feel Good Food and Russo's have a gluten free version.
Storing And Reheating Leftovers
STORING: You can keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
REHEATING: Gluten free mozzarella sticks are best served fresh, but they can be reheated. To reheat, place in a single layer in the air fryer and cook at 350 F for 4-5 minutes.
Did you make this recipe?
If you did, I would appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Also, follow me on Instagram and tag me or use #incoleskitchen so I can see what you make and share it.
PrintGluten Free Mozzarella Sticks
Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks are a healthier alternative to a classic appetizer. They're perfectly golden brown and crispy with a gooey, cheesy center. Air fry or bake these gluten free cheese sticks and pair with marinara sauce for an addictive snack.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Freezing Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 Servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 6 whole milk mozzarella cheese sticks (or 6 ounce mozzarella block)
- 3 tablespoons coconut flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- ⅓ cup gluten free Italian breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet and set it aside
- Cut your cheese sticks in half or if using a block, cut into 3 inch by ½ inch sticks
- Next, set up your breading station. Set out three shallow bowls and in the first one measure out the coconut flour, in the next one whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water, and in the last one mix together the gluten free breadcrumbs with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cumin
- Take one half of the cut cheese sticks and dredge it in the coconut flour, then dip lightly in the egg wash, and finally coat entirely in the gluten free bread crumb mixture
- Place the gluten free breaded cheese stick onto your prepared baking sheet and repeat step 4 with the remaining cheese stick halves
- Once all the cheese stick are breaded, place the baking sheet into the freezer to freezer for a minimum of 2 hours
- AIR FRY: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F and spray the basket with olive oil spray. Place the fully frozen mozzarella sticks into the basket in a single layer and spray the top of them with olive oil spray. Cook at 400 F for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy. (Check halfway through to make sure the cheese doesn't melt out!)
- OVEN BAKING: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the frozen cheese sticks onto the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. (Again, check to make sure the cheese isn't melting out)
- Serve with marinara sauce immediately for best results and enjoy!
Notes
- I like to use whole milk cheese sticks for convenience, but you can cut a block of mozzarella into sticks
- Don't skip dredging the mozzarella sticks, otherwise the breadcrumbs might not stick
- Use gluten free all purpose flour or arrowroot starch if you have a nut allergy
- Freezing for 2 hours is SUPER IMPORTANT. You want the mozzarella to be fully frozen or else it will melt when cooking
- Spray them with avocado or olive oil spray before cooking to attain that perfectly crisp, golden exterior
- Serve with hearty marinara sauce, avocado ranch, or buffalo sauce as an easy appetizer
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days
Keywords: mozzarella sticks gluten free, gluten free mozz sticks, gluten free cheese sticks
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