Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (Print Version)

Golden, crunchy sticks with melty mozzarella cheese inside, ideal for quick snacks or gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
03 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

→ Coating

04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 2 tbsp milk
06 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

→ Seasonings (optional)

07 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/4 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ For Serving

11 - 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed

# How to Make It:

01 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice each mozzarella stick in half to yield 24 shorter sticks, if desired.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs combined with milk, and one with a mixture of Italian-style breadcrumbs, panko, and optional seasonings.
03 - Dredge each mozzarella stick in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb blend.
04 - Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating to achieve double breading for increased crispiness and to minimize cheese leakage.
05 - Place the breaded mozzarella sticks on the baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour until solid.
06 - Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
07 - Place the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer inside the air fryer basket and lightly spray with cooking oil.
08 - Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crisp. Ensure cheese is melted but not oozing.
09 - Serve immediately alongside warm marinara sauce.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • They're ready in under 25 minutes from freezer to plate, which means you can rescue a boring snack situation faster than ordering takeout.
  • The double breading trick gives you that restaurant-quality crunch without the grease that comes from deep frying.
  • Freezing them solid means you can make a whole batch and pull out however many you need, whenever you need them.
02 -
  • Freezing is non-negotiable—it's the only thing standing between perfect mozzarella sticks and a cheese explosion in your air fryer.
  • The double breading makes a real difference; it seals in the moisture and creates that audible crunch that makes people close their eyes when they bite into one.
03 -
  • Don't skip the parchment paper on the baking sheet during freezing; it prevents the breaded sticks from sticking and getting torn when you transfer them to the air fryer.
  • A light oil spray is all you need—too much makes them greasy, too little and they won't brown properly, so aim for that middle ground where you can see a faint shimmer.
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