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A pile of golden brown, crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks with melted cheese oozing out, served with marinara sauce.

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Make crispy mozzarella sticks in your air fryer without deep frying. This recipe provides a simple method for a delicious snack.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Freezing Time 30 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

For the Mozzarella Sticks
  • 1 lb Mozzarella String Cheese cut into thirds
  • 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 Large Eggs beaten
  • 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
For Serving (Optional)
  • Marinara Sauce for dipping

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Baking sheet
  • shallow bowls

Method
 

  1. Cut each string cheese stick into three pieces. Place the mozzarella pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent them from melting too quickly.
  2. In three shallow bowls, prepare your dredging stations. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs. In the third bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Remove the frozen mozzarella sticks from the freezer. Dredge each piece first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, ensuring it's fully coated. Finally, roll it in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
  5. Arrange the coated mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary.
  6. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. The exact time will depend on your air fryer model.
  7. Carefully remove the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer. Serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

For best results, ensure the mozzarella sticks are well-frozen before coating and cooking. If they are not frozen enough, they may leak cheese during cooking.

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