Glorious Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Crispy, gooey, and perfectly golden mozzarella sticks made effortlessly in the air fryer. This recipe uses a simple breading process with flour, eggs, and panko crumbs seasoned with salt and pepper for a delicious appetizer or snack that’s ready in under 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 1 hour freezing)
- 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
Breading
- 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 help the cheese hold its shape during the cooking process and prevent it from oozing out.
- Prepare Breading Stations: Set up three shallow dishes. Put the flour in the first dish, the beaten eggs in the second, and combine the panko breadcrumbs with salt and black pepper in the third.
- Bread the Sticks: Take one mozzarella stick at a time and coat it evenly with flour. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally press it into the seasoned panko mixture to coat thoroughly, ensuring even coverage to get that crispy crust.
- Arrange for Cooking: Place all the breaded mozzarella sticks in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet. This prepares them for transferring to the air fryer basket without sticking.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 380°F (190°C) and let it preheat to ensure even cooking from the start.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and promote an even, golden crust.
- Air Fry: Arrange the mozzarella sticks in the basket in a single layer without touching each other to allow hot air circulation. You may need to cook in batches depending on basket size.
- Cook and Flip: Air fry for a total of 6 minutes, flipping the mozzarella sticks halfway through to ensure they cook evenly and become golden brown and crispy on all sides.
Notes
- Freezing the mozzarella sticks before cooking is essential to keep the cheese from melting too quickly and escaping during air frying.
- If cooking in batches, keep cooked sticks warm in a low oven while finishing the rest.
- For extra flavor, add Italian seasoning or garlic powder to the panko mixture.
- Serve immediately for the best gooey texture and crispy exterior.
- Can be paired with marinara sauce or ranch dip for dipping.
Keywords: mozzarella sticks, air fryer mozzarella sticks, crispy cheese sticks, appetizer, snack, easy cheese sticks, panko crusted cheese
