These cheesy Air Fryer Mozzarella Bites are the perfect handheld appetizer or snack! Crispy on the outside and melty on the inside!
Craving something warm and cheesy? These super simple and keto-friendly fried mozzarella bites are so easy to make in the air fryer. You’ll end up with yummy and gooey rectangles that will remind you of mozzarella sticks.
Pair these cheese bites with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy the golden brown exterior and stretchy, comforting melted cheese on the inside. And for a full appetizer spread, serve them alongside some keto Garlic and Chive Stuffed Mushrooms!
Why You’ll Love Mozzarella Cheese Bites
You may be wondering, can you air fry mozzarella bites yourself? The answer is: of course! When it comes to mozzarella bites, homemade is the way to go!
You can easily prepare and air fry these yummy and savory appetizers right in your own kitchen. Bite size pieces of melted mozzarella cheese covered in a crispy and flavorful breading: what else could you ask for in a tasty snack?
It only takes 6 ingredients to put together this melty appetizer. Between prep time and air frying you need less than 30 minutes altogether, making this a great dish to whip up in a hurry.
Guests will love this yummy homemade take on mozzarella sticks! Serve them with some marinara sauce for dipping and you’ve got a crowd pleaser.
Mozzarella Bites Ingredients
- Block of Mozzarella Cheese – cut into bite sized cubes for easier frying and eating.
- Pork Rind Crumbs – instead of bread crumbs, use pork rind crumbs for a super satisfying and extra-crunchy crust.
- Eggs – help the breading adhere to the mozzarella pieces.
- Garlic Powder – adds a nice punch of savory flavor.
- Italian Seasoning – a great way to provide lots of different flavors with little effort!
- Almond Flour – helps keep this recipe keto while fulfilling the role that flour would in any fried cheese dish.
- Salt and Pepper – to taste
How to Make Mozzarella Bites in the Air Fryer
- Cut a block of mozzarella cheese cut into bite sized cubes. Chill the mozzarella cubes for 30 minutes in the freezer.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Place the almond flour, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste into a shallow bowl, and stir to combine.
- Add the pork rind crumbs into another shallow bowl. Beat the eggs, and put them into another bowl.
- Coat the mozzarella pieces in the almond flour, dip into the eggs and then press into the pork rind crumbs.
- Place the coated mozzarella bites into a pan or onto a rack in the air fryer, and cook for 8-10 minutes until browned and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain any excess oils and enjoy!
FAQs
Where can I buy mozzarella bites?
You can buy these premade! Look for Farm Rich mozzarella bites at your local Walmart or Target.
Can you freeze mozzarella bites?
Yes! Freezing your mozzarella cheese bites is a great way to make them last longer. You can store them in the freezer for months at a time, and whenever you need a super fast appetizer the prep work is already done. The same applies to keeping leftovers that have already been prepared and air fried.
When it’s time to reheat, place your frozen mozzarella bites in the air fryer for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees. You may need to adjust and give them a few more minutes when cooking from frozen.
How do you keep mozzarella sticks from exploding in the air fryer?
One of the reasons this might be happening is because of uneven cooking. Ensure that your mozzarella cheese bites aren’t overlapping in the air fryer. You’ll want to make sure they’re arranged in a single layer with minimal contact.
Can you bake mozzarella sticks?
Absolutely! If you don’t have an air fryer or prefer to use the oven, follow the same steps to prep the cheese and then arrange on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake them at 400 degrees until golden brown on the outside and gooey on the inside.
Popular Variations and Substitutions
- If you don’t want to cut up a block of mozzarella, you can use this same technique with string cheese sticks to create a more traditional mozzarella stick shape. I recommend cutting them in half in order to prevent overlap in the air fryer, but it depends on the size of your basket.
- For a slightly healthier version of this recipe, you can use mozzarella that’s part skim.
- Feel free to add other seasonings into your breading to really customize these mozzarella cheese bites to your liking.
- Marinara sauce is my go-to to pair with these cheese bites for dipping, but because the flavor of mozzarella is relatively mild you can serve them with just about anything. Ranch, buffalo sauce, hot sauce, sweet chili sauce, ketchup, and mustard are all solid options.
More Keto Recipes You’ll Love
- Strawberry Shortcake Dessert Shooters – These adorable individual shortcake cups are served in shot glasses and made with almond flour to adhere to the keto diet!
- Jalapeno Chicken Poppers – Baked instead of fried, this is a healthier take on jalapeno poppers that your guests will adore.
- Bacon Wrapped Cabbage Dippers – It just takes a few ingredients to put together these cabbage wedges wrapped in delicious bacon.
- Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp – Easy to prepare and bursting with bold flavor, you’ll love serving this yummy shrimp dish.
- Keto Marinara Sauce – Serve your mozzarella bites with this yummy keto red sauce from My Keto Kitchen!
Cocktails to Serve with Your Appetizer
- Cuban Mojito – Bubbly and refreshing, this cocktail combines white rum with lime juice and mint for a delicious beverage.
- Pineapple Screwdriver – Simply combine vodka and pineapple juice for a tropical twist on the classic cocktail!
Air Fried Mozzarella Cheese Bites
Mozzarella Bites - Air Fryer
These air fried mozzarella bites are flavorful and crispy on the outside with gooey, melty cheese on the inside. Best of all: they're completely keto!
Ingredients
- 16 oz. Block of mozzarella cheese cut into bite sized cubes
- 2 C. Pork rind crumbs crushed
- 2 Large eggs
- 1 tsp. Garlic powder
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- ½ C. Almond flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chill the mozzarella cubes for 30 minutes in the freezer.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Place the almond flour, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste into a shallow bowl, and stir to combine.
- Add the pork rind crumbs into another shallow bowl.
- Beat the eggs, and put them into another bowl.
- Coat the mozzarella pieces in the almond flour, dip into the eggs and then press into the pork rind crumbs.
- Place the coated bites into a pan or onto a rack in the air fryer, and cook for 8-10 minutes until browned and crispy.
- Transfer to a serving platter before serving.
Notes
- Cheese sticks can be used instead of a block of mozzarella, though you still may want to cut them in half.
- Serve your air fried cheese bites with marinara, ketchup, buffalo sauce, mustard, sweet chili sauce, and more!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 274Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 556mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 21g