Glorious Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Crispy and golden brown homemade mozzarella sticks made effortlessly in the air fryer. These cheesy snacks are coated with seasoned panko breadcrumbs and cooked to perfection, delivering a deliciously crunchy exterior with gooey melted cheese inside. Perfect for appetizers, parties, or a quick indulgent treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 1 hour freezing time)
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 16 minutes
- Yield: 12 mozzarella sticks 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 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
Other
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Freeze the Cheese: Place the mozzarella stick halves in the freezer for at least 1 hour. This step is crucial to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and losing its shape during cooking.
- Prepare Breading Stations: Set up three shallow dishes; put the flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and in the third mix together panko breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the Cheese Sticks: One at a time, dredge each mozzarella stick first in flour, then dip into the eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere well.
- Arrange for Cooking: Lay the coated sticks in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet to keep them ready for cooking without sticking together.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot enough for a crispy coating.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and help crisp up the coating.
- Air Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Place the sticks in a single layer in the basket without touching (cook in batches if necessary). Air fry for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through to achieve even golden brown and crispy texture.
Notes
- Make sure to freeze the mozzarella sticks thoroughly before coating to prevent cheese from melting out during cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow heat circulation for even crispiness.
- You can double coat by dipping back into eggs and breadcrumbs again for extra crunchiness.
- Serve immediately with marinara or your favorite dipping sauce for best taste.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer to maintain crispness.
Keywords: mozzarella sticks, air fryer, cheesy snacks, appetizer, panko breadcrumb, crispy cheese sticks
