web tracker

Air Fryer Beef Wrapped Cheese Stick

by

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes

  • Cook Time: 8-10 minutes

  • Total Time: 23-25 minutes

  • Intensity: Easy/Beginner

Ingredients

  • 8 mozzarella cheese sticks (e.g., string cheese)

  • 8 slices of thinly sliced roast beef or thin steak (e.g., carpaccio or sandwich steak)

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil or cooking spray

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • Salt, to taste (optional)

  • 1/4 cup your choice of dipping sauce (e.g., marinara, ranch, BBQ sauce)

Utensils/Equipment

  • Air Fryer

  • Kitchen tongs

  • Toothpicks (optional, but recommended)

  • Measuring spoons

  • Small bowl (for seasoning)

Cooking Process

Preparation (15 minutes)

  1. Get Ready: Begin by gathering all your ingredients and equipment. Make sure your air fryer is clean and ready for use.

  2. Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt (if using). This mixture will add a nice flavor boost to the beef.

  3. Wrap It Up: Lay out a slice of roast beef. Place a mozzarella cheese stick near one edge of the beef.

  4. Secure (Optional): Gently roll the beef around the cheese stick, ensuring it’s completely covered. To help keep it all together, you can thread a toothpick or two through the wrapped roll. Repeat this process for all eight cheese sticks.

  5. A Little Oil: Lightly coat each wrapped cheese stick with the olive oil, using your fingers or a cooking spray. This will help them crisp up nicely. Then, evenly sprinkle the prepared seasoning mix over each roll.

Cooking (8-10 minutes)

  1. Preheat (or Not): Depending on your air fryer, you may need to preheat it to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes. However, many modern air fryers do not require preheating.

  2. Into the Fryer: Arrange the wrapped cheese sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Be careful not to overcrowd the basket; leave a small amount of space between each stick for proper air circulation.

  3. Start Air Frying: Set the air fryer to cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes.

  4. The Flip: About halfway through the cooking time (around 4-5 minutes), open the air fryer basket and use kitchen tongs to carefully flip each cheese stick. This ensures even browning on all sides.

  5. Check for Doneness: At the end of the cooking time, the beef should be a beautiful golden-brown color, and you might see some cheese just starting to ooze out, indicating it’s melted and ready. If you prefer a crispier texture, you can add another 1-2 minutes to the cook time.

The Last of the Recipe

Now that your beef-wrapped cheese sticks are cooked to perfection, it’s time for the final touches. Carefully remove them from the air fryer basket with the tongs. If you used toothpicks, don’t forget to remove them before serving. Allow the cheese sticks to cool for just a minute or two – this will let the cheese set slightly, making them easier to handle and eat.

Plate the warm, savory sticks alongside your favorite dipping sauce. A classic marinara provides a bright, tangy contrast, while a creamy ranch or a smoky BBQ sauce offers different, delicious flavor experiences. These are best served immediately, as the combination of hot, melted cheese and crispy beef is at its peak right after cooking.

Nutrition (Per Serving: 1 cheese stick)

Please note: These nutrition values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredient brands and slice thicknesses.

  • Calories: ~180-210 kcal

  • Protein: ~15-18g

  • Total Fat: ~12-14g

  • Saturated Fat: ~6-8g

  • Carbohydrates: ~2-3g

  • Fiber: ~0g

  • Sugars: ~1-2g

  • Sodium: ~450-550mg

Leave a Comment