Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (Print version)

Golden, crispy mozzarella sticks with gooey cheese center, air fried for a tasty snack or appetizer.

# What you'll need:

→ Cheese

01 - 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
03 - ½ cup panko breadcrumbs

→ Coating

04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 2 tablespoons milk
06 - ½ cup all-purpose flour

→ Seasonings (optional)

07 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
08 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
09 - ¼ teaspoon salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ For Serving

11 - 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed

# Directions:

01 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Optionally, slice each mozzarella stick in half to yield 24 shorter sticks.
02 - In three shallow bowls, place the flour in one, beaten eggs mixed with milk in the second, and a mixture of Italian-style breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, and optional seasonings in the third.
03 - Dredge each mozzarella stick evenly in flour, shake off excess, then dip in the egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb blend.
04 - Repeat the egg dip and breadcrumb coating to create a double layer to enhance crispness and prevent cheese leakage.
05 - Place the coated sticks on the prepared baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour until completely 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 them with cooking oil.
08 - Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crisp. The cheese should be just beginning to melt without leaking out.
09 - Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Eight minutes from frozen to golden—faster than delivery, with zero guilt.
  • The double breading trick means crispy shells that don't betray you with leaking cheese.
  • They're idiot-proof once you've prepped them, perfect for feeding a crowd without standing over a stove.
02 -
  • Freezing is not optional—it's the difference between crispy success and a melted cheese disaster; skip this and you'll regret it instantly.
  • The double-breading step genuinely matters; I used to skip it and always had at least two sticks that burst open, but mastering that second coating changed everything.
03 -
  • Keep your mozzarella sticks in the coldest part of your freezer until the very moment you need them—a few minutes warming at room temperature can sabotage your entire batch.
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, prepare multiple batches and stagger them in the air fryer rather than overcrowding the basket; each stick needs space for the air to circulate properly.
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