Order my new cookbook today! 
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy.
My keto mozzarella sticks are everything you love—crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, and only 1.4 grams of net carbs per serving! Made with a savory pork rind coating, they’re the perfect low-carb snack or appetizer. No grains, no flour—just bready, cheesy goodness! Whether you have a wheat sensitivity or living gluten-free due to celiac, these air fryer mozzarella sticks are a delicious solution.
Wondering how to make mozzarella sticks without breadcrumbs? Once you try these keto fried cheese sticks in the air fryer, you might never go back. Just imagine dunking one into this warm, low sodium marinara sauce, pulling it apart, and watching that gorgeous cheese stretch. So satisfying.
Everyone loves these in my house—we can’t get enough! And I have a feeling you’ll be hooked too.
🧀 Keto Mozzarella Sticks Ingredients
Let’s walk through everything you’ll need to make these irresistible keto air fryer mozzarella sticks! First, grab five low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks (also known as string cheese).
Next, you’ll prep three separate bowls for the coating process. You’ll be dipping the cheese sticks in each bowl twice for that perfectly crispy crust.
Bowl One:
- ½ cup almond flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill super fine almond flour)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Bowl Two:
- 2 large eggs
Third Bowl:
- 1 cup pork panko (crushed pork rinds)
- 1 teaspoon each: garlic powder, dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon each: dried oregano, dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon each: dried thyme, dried rosemary
You can find a printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for easy reference!
I highly recommend serving these with a low-carb marinara sauce for dipping—so good! I used Bacon Heir’s Pork Panko for this recipe, which contains only pork rinds (cooked in pork fat) and salt. If you’re using pre-seasoned pork panko, you can skip the extra herbs and spices listed above.
One quick tip: if your air fryer is on the smaller side, you might need to cook the mozzarella sticks in batches. Keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time as needed to get that golden, gooey perfection!
➕ How to Make Keto Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer
Here are the step-by-step instructions to air fry frozen mozzarella sticks:
Start at least 3–4 hours before eating so the mozzarella sticks have time to freeze. Cut 5 mozzarella sticks in half to make 10 mini cheese sticks.
Prepare the three breading bowls: one with almond flour and salt, one with whisked eggs, and one with pork panko and herbs.
Line a large baking tray with parchment paper to hold the coated sticks.
Bread each mozzarella stick by dipping it in almond flour, then egg, then pork panko. Repeat the process once more so each stick is double coated. Place them on the tray in a single layer without touching.
Make sure all the cheese is completely covered—no gaps in the breading. Press the panko on with your hands to help it stick better.
Freeze the breaded mozzarella sticks on the tray for 2–4 hours. This step is essential to prevent cheese from leaking out during cooking.
Preheat your air fryer at 400F (200C) for 5 minutes, with the tray or basket inside so it gets hot.
Carefully remove the hot air fryer basket or tray and place the frozen mozzarella sticks inside in a single layer. Air fry at 400F for 3 minutes, flip, then cook another 2–4 minutes. Use the top rack if using an air fryer oven.
The sticks will feel slightly soft when done. Let them cool for 3–5 minutes before serving—they’ll be hot and perfectly gooey inside!
💡 Tips for Pork Rind Mozzarella Sticks
No one likes a sad, deflated mozzarella stick with cheese oozing out everywhere. The good news? It’s easy to prevent that melty mess with a few simple tricks.
I used all of these in this recipe, but they’ll work for any mozzarella stick recipe.
- Double breading is key: Dip each mozzarella stick in almond flour, egg, and pork panko—and then do it all again. That second layer helps create a thick barrier that keeps the cheese safely inside as it melts.
- Freeze after breading: Don’t skip the freezing step! Freezing your coated cheese sticks for a few hours helps them hold their shape and reduces the chances of cheese leaking out during air frying. Plus, it makes it easy to cook only what you need.
- Always preheat your air fryer: A hot air fryer helps the coating crisp up quickly, sealing in the cheese before it starts to melt.
- Don’t overcook: If you air fry too long, the cheese can burst out and deflate the sticks. Cook just until warm and melty—then stop.
Dips for Mozzarella Sticks
My favorite dipping sauce is warm marinara—it’s keto-friendly, low in calories, and packed with flavor. But feel free to switch it up! Here are a few other delicious dip ideas:
- BBQ sauce
- Hot sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Honey mustard sauce
How to Reheat Mozzarella Sticks
If you have leftovers, reheat them in a preheated air fryer at 400F (200C) for 1–2 minutes. For best results, cook only what you’ll eat fresh the first time around!
Watch How to Make It!
Keto Mozzarella Sticks with Pork Rinds (Air Fryer Recipe)
Ingredients
- 5 mozzarella cheese sticks
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pork panko
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
Instructions
- Start at least 3–4 hours before eating so the mozzarella sticks have time to freeze. Cut 5 mozzarella sticks in half to make 10 mini cheese sticks.
- Get out three medium-sized bowls. In the first bowl, stir together the almond flour and salt. In the second bowl, whisk together the eggs. In bowl three, stir together the pork panko, garlic powder, parsley, oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Dip each mozzarella stick in the almond flour, the egg, and then the pork panko mixture (in that order). Then go through the steps again, breading the coated mozzarella stick with another layer of almond flour, egg, and panko.
- Make sure that the cheese sticks are completely coated, with no cheese peeking through. I like to pat the pork panko mixture on with my hands, it helps it to stick better.
- Put the mozzarella sticks that have been coated twice on the lined baking tray in a single non-touching layer. Freeze the tray of mozzarella sticks for 2-4 hours or more. Do not skip this step!
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Keep the air fryer trays or air fryer basket in the air fryer so they get hot. Once heated, place the frozen cheese sticks on the tray in a single, non-touching layer. You may need to cook them in batches if your air fryer is small.
- Air fry for 3 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Then carefully flip the mozzarella sticks over and air fry them for an additional 2-4 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Let them cool for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). At just 125 calories and 1.4g net carbs per stick, you’d think this might be lower level—but let’s be real: no one eats just one or two. (I definitely downed 4–5 and called it lunch. 😅) These are rich and energy-dense, packed with fat from pork rinds and cheese, and not exactly balanced in macros. Just because something is keto doesn’t automatically make it great for weight loss. In fact, if I used whole grain breadcrumbs instead of pork panko, the calorie count would actually be lower. You’d miss some protein but gain some fiber. So which is better—keto or regular? Honestly, both are super snackable and easy to overeat. That crispy, melty cheese combo is hard to resist either way! The upside? These freeze beautifully before cooking, so you can air fry just what you need. A small win for portion control. Maybe. 😄 Nutritional info lists total carbs for one mozzarella stick and assumes half the almond flour is used.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
Join our community! Subscribe for all of the latest and greatest recipes, and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!
Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
No oil spray. ?
Hi William, pork panko is very high in fat, so you generally don’t need oil spray when you bread foods with it. It can make the pork panko too greasy/soggy.