So what will you do if you have leftover mozzarella sticks?
Well, the answer is to reheat and consume them later!
So you’ve thrown an unforgettable party for your family and friends and it was a smashing success!
You got exhausted. I can’t blame you; doing all the preparation and cooking for that big day is truly tiring.
Now that the party’s over, it’s time to take down any decorations you put and clean up those foods you served.
While the chocolate truffles, jalapeno poppers, and BBQ meatballs disappeared at the party table in seconds, you found out that you have extra mozzarella sticks left.
The thing is, some people get intimidated to reheat these little bad boys as they think that the dish takes a lot of hard work and effort.
But the truth is, reheating mozzarella sticks isn’t that challenging at all.
With the smartest reheating methods and tips in this walkthrough guide, you’ll be able to bring back the cheesy goodness of your favorite mozzarella sticks–just like they’re freshly made!
But before I discuss the different reheating methods, let’s get into the proper way to keep your leftover mozzarella sticks fresh in the fridge or freezer.
When properly stored in the fridge, cooked mozzarella sticks generally stay tasty for up to a week when kept chilled.
And in case you’re planning to put your leftover sticks in the fridge, make sure to check their quality.
Discard those sticks sitting at room temperature for more than two hours because they’re already exposed to bacteria which can lead to food spoilage.
Place fresh, leftover mozzarella sticks in an airtight container before putting them in the fridge.
How to freeze mozzarella sticks
Lay out the fresh, leftover mozzarella sticks on a platter or cookie sheet in a single layer, not touching each other.
Slide platter or cookie sheet into a flat place in the freezer.
After frozen solid (about three hours or overnight), transfer the frozen mozzarella sticks to a freezer bag or separate into several individual servings, squeezing as much air out of the bag(s) as possible.
Place bag(s) back in freezer immediately.
Reheat from frozen; don’t thaw first, as the flavor and texture will be lower quality.
Reheat only once, as reheated foods become rubbery, tough, or chewy after repeated temperature changes.
Can you reheat mozzarella sticks?
Yes, you can warm up mozzarella sticks as long as you properly store them beforehand.
In fact, it’s possible to reheat them in a conventional oven, toaster oven, air fryer, and microwave.
Keep in mind, though, that there are few things to remember when it comes to warming mozzarella sticks up and the quality of the final dish depends on what reheating method you’re using.
I strongly recommend utilizing the oven method as this technique offers your mozzarella sticks that golden brown and heavenly crispiness like they’re freshly made.
On the other hand, you should ONLY use the microwave method in case you’re extremely hungry and can’t wait to reheat the food in the oven.
There’s a huge chance of having soggy and rubbery mozzarella sticks if you use this method incorrectly.
How to reheat leftover mozzarella sticks
There are four ways to reheat your leftover mozzarella sticks- in an oven, in a toaster oven, in an air fryer, and a microwave.
Whichever method you choose to use depends on your personal preference and resources.
How to reheat mozzarella sticks in the oven
A traditional, conventional oven works perfectly well at bringing life back to leftover mozzarella sticks.
It just takes a while to preheat the oven and to heat them through.
But the outcome is much better tasting than the microwave.
Here’s how to reheat refrigerated mozzarella sticks in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet. Make sure not to overcrowd it.
- Bake the sticks for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.
For mozzarella sticks that have been stored in the freezer, here’s how you warm them up:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet. Don’t overcrowd it.
- Slide it into the oven and bake for 8 to 15 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy. (Careful, they’re probably going to be very hot!)
How to reheat mozzarella sticks in the toaster oven
Another great way to warm up your mozzarella sticks is the toaster oven method. It’s a good alternative if you don’t want to heat your house with a conventional oven.
- Preheat the toaster oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bake the sticks for 8 minutes.
- Once done, remove the sticks from the toaster using a spatula or tongs then serve!
Pro tip: Look for a melting cheese as this is an indication that your mozzarella sticks are ready to be removed from the toaster.
How to reheat mozzarella sticks in the air fryer
This is our favorite, and in our humble opinion, the BEST way to reheat mozzarella sticks—in the air fryer!
In case you have an air fryer at home, you should use it to reheat your leftover mozzarella sticks.
Warming the finger foods using this sleek device provides a pretty good outcome.
Crispy, crunchy, and melty inside, almost as good as freshly cooked.
Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Place the mozzarella sticks into the tray or basket.
- For two or three sticks, heat them for 2 minutes.
- Turn with tongs.
- Heat another 2 minutes.
- For a full tray or basket, heat 4 minutes, turn, then another 3 minutes.
Pro tip: If you want the best result for your cheese sticks, ensure that you won’t overcrowd them in the air fryer.
How to reheat mozzarella sticks in the microwave (My least favorite)
As mentioned, this reheating method is my least favorite on the list. Microwaving your mozzarella sticks should be your last resort.
This reheating technique is only ideal for those who are in a hurry or who want to avoid their oven heat.
Here’s how to warm up mozzarella sticks in the microwave.
- Place the mozzarella sticks in one layer on a microwave-safe dish.
- For one to four sticks, place plate into the microwave and heat them for 25 seconds.
- Flip the sticks and microwave them at 10-second intervals until warmed but not overheated.
- Cut one or two open in the middle to check the cheese. If they’re still cold, heat them for another 15 seconds.
- Serve and enjoy.
The bottom line
At last, you unlocked some of the niftiest methods for reheating mozzarella sticks!
So this means that there’s no reason for you to throw those leftovers away in the bin.
But before you consider reheating these crispy bites either in the oven, toaster, microwave, or air fryer, ensure to check the first quality of the leftovers for safer consumption.
How To Reheat Mozzarella Sticks In The Oven
Here's how to bring back that crispy, golden brown, and melted cheesy perfection to your refrigerated mozzarella sticks using the oven method.
Ingredients
- Oven
- Refrigerated mozzarella sticks
- Baking sheet
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet. Make sure not to overcrowd it.
- Bake the sticks for about 10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.
Ness
Thursday 1st of September 2022
Do you understand the ramifications of how much of an audience you’re cutting off by quoting the worst president our country as ever seen? I personally feel unsafe when I see him publicly. I can also say that my demographic is the one looking for DIYS/Recipes, and you’re losing out on us. Love other humans. Love other people. Show grace and humility. Just love. Good luck.
Andi Reis
Thursday 1st of September 2022
i promise you that the intention was not to quote anyone. The air fryer crisps up leftover fried foods really well, and it makes them taste great again. That said, I am going to edit the title now to make that more clear. Sorry, Ness. I hope you come back to visit.