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Fresh mozzarella balls in salted brine with air fryer mozzarella bites served as a snack or appetizer
Isaac blogger

Homemade Mozzarella Cheese + Air Fryer Mozzarella Bites

A complete guide to making fresh homemade mozzarella from milk, plus quick air-fryer mozzarella bites. Step-by-step instructions, storage tips, and reliable techniques for great texture and flavor.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Calories:
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • ──────────────────────────────
  • PART A — FRESH HOMEMADE MOZZARELLA
  • ──────────────────────────────
  • Ingredients:
  • 1 gallon whole milk NOT ultra-pasteurized
  • 1½ tsp citric acid dissolved in ¼ cup cool water
  • ½ tsp liquid rennet dissolved in ¼ cup cool water
  • 1 –1½ tsp kosher salt to taste
  • Ice water for cooling
  • ──────────────────────────────
  • PART B — AIR FRYER MOZZARELLA BITES
  • ──────────────────────────────
  • Ingredients:
  • 6 string cheese sticks cut into 12 pieces each
  • ½ cup flour
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs panko or seasoned
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Optional: pinch cayenne
  • Oil spray for air fryer basket

Method
 

  1. PART A — FRESH HOMEMADE MOZZARELLA
  2. Before You Begin:
  3. Preheat and prepare your cookware as needed. Cooking times and results may vary depending on your equipment and ingredients.
  4. Prepare Additives
  5. Dissolve citric acid in cool water. Dissolve rennet in cool water. Set aside.
  6. Warm the Milk
  7. Pour milk into a large pot and heat gently to 55°F (13°C). Stir in citric acid solution. Continue heating to 88–90°F (31–32°C).
  8. Add Rennet
  9. Remove from heat. Add rennet solution and stir gently for 30 seconds. Cover and let rest undisturbed 5–10 minutes until curd forms.
  10. Cut the Curd
  11. Cut curds into 1-inch cubes using a long knife.
  12. Heat Curds
  13. Return pot to low heat and warm to 105–110°F (40–43°C), stirring gently to prevent clumping.
  14. Drain
  15. Transfer curds to a colander and allow whey to drain. Reserve whey if desired.
  16. Heat for Stretching
  17. Microwave Method: Heat curds 30–45 seconds until very warm.
  18. Hot Water Method: Pour 175–185°F (80–85°C) water over curds until pliable.
  19. Stretch
  20. Wear gloves and stretch curds like taffy. Sprinkle in salt as you fold and stretch until glossy.
  21. Shape
  22. Form into smooth balls and place into an ice bath for 1 minute to set.
  23. Store
  24. Store finished mozzarella in lightly salted water or whey, refrigerated 3–4 days.
  25. ──────────────────────────────
  26. PART B — AIR FRYER MOZZARELLA BITES
  27. ──────────────────────────────
  28. Prepare Breading Station
  29. Bowl 1: flour
  30. Bowl 2: beaten eggs
  31. Bowl 3: breadcrumbs + Italian seasoning + garlic powder
  32. Coat the Cheese
  33. Dredge each piece in flour → egg → breadcrumbs. Press crumbs to coat well.
  34. Optional Freeze
  35. Freeze coated pieces 10–15 minutes to reduce leaking during cooking.
  36. Air Fry
  37. Preheat air fryer to 400–425°F (200–218°C).
  38. Spray basket lightly with oil.
  39. Place bites in a single layer.
  40. Air fry 5–6 minutes or until golden.
  41. Serve
  42. Serve immediately with marinara or ranch dip.
  43. Cooking Notes
  44. Prep Time: About 20 minutes, including measuring ingredients and preparing the curds or breading the cheese bites.
  45. Cook Time: About 15–20 minutes, depending on milk heating speed, curd setting time, and air fryer performance.
  46. Total Time: Approximately 35–40 minutes from start to finish.
  47. Fresh Mozzarella Yield: Makes about 1 pound of cheese, depending on milk quality and moisture retention.
  48. Air Fryer Yield: Makes about 72 mozzarella bites from 6 string cheeses.
  49. Temperature Control: Accurate temperatures are important for curd formation and stretching. Cooking times may vary depending on your equipment.
  50. Doneness (Fresh Mozzarella): Cheese is ready when it is smooth, glossy, and elastic, and holds its shape after chilling briefly.
  51. Doneness (Mozzarella Bites): Bites are done when the coating is golden and crisp and the cheese inside is melted.
  52. Cooling: Allow fresh mozzarella to cool in an ice bath for about 1 minute before storing or using. Let mozzarella bites cool briefly before serving.
  53. Storage: Fresh mozzarella keeps 3–4 days refrigerated in lightly salted water. Cooked mozzarella bites keep up to 3 days refrigerated or 1 month frozen.
  54. Reheating: Reheat mozzarella bites in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–6 minutes. Reheating time may vary depending on portion size and air fryer model.