Glorious Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Crispy, gooey, and perfectly golden, these Glorious Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are a quick and easy snack that’s healthier than traditional frying. Coated in a crunchy panko breadcrumb crust and air fried to perfection, they’re a crowd-pleasing appetizer or party treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes (per batch)
- Total Time: 1 hour 16 minutes
- Yield: 12 mozzarella sticks 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Mozzarella Sticks
- 12 oz mozzarella string cheese, cut into halves
Coating
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Freeze the cheese: Place the mozzarella stick halves in the freezer for at least 1 hour. This step is crucial as it helps the cheese hold its shape and prevents excessive melting during the cooking process.
- Prepare coating stations: Set up three shallow dishes. Put the flour in the first dish. Add the beaten eggs in the second. Combine the panko breadcrumbs with salt and pepper in the third dish.
- Coat the mozzarella sticks: Working one at a time, first coat each mozzarella stick in flour evenly, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the panko mixture making sure each stick is completely covered with breadcrumbs.
- Arrange coated sticks: Lay the coated mozzarella sticks in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet to keep them separated before cooking.
- Preheat air fryer: Set your air fryer to preheat at 380°F (190°C) for optimal cooking temperature.
- Prepare air fryer basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and help achieve a crispy crust.
- Air fry the mozzarella sticks: Place the coated sticks in the basket in a single layer without touching each other. Cook for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure they get golden brown and crispy all over. Cook in batches if necessary.
Notes
- Freezing the mozzarella is important to avoid the cheese melting too quickly and oozing out during cooking.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crunchier coating.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- You can double coat the sticks for an extra thick crust by repeating the egg and breadcrumb step.
- Serve immediately with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for the best taste.
Keywords: air fryer mozzarella sticks, crispy mozzarella sticks, appetizer, snack, easy air fryer recipe
