Air Fryer · Medium
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
These air fryer mozzarella sticks come out gooey inside with a crispy, golden coating in about 8 minutes, a lighter take on the fried appetizer classic.
What you'll need
- 8mozzarella string cheese sticks, halved
- 1/2 cupflour
- 2eggs, beaten
- 1 cuppanko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoonItalian seasoning
- as neededcooking spray
- 1 cupmarinara sauce for dipping
Let's cook
- 1Dredge each cheese stick half in flour, then egg, then panko mixed with Italian seasoning, pressing to coat well; double-coat for extra crunch if desired.
- 2Freeze the breaded sticks for at least 30 minutes so the cheese doesn't melt out too fast.
- 3Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (199°C).
- 4Arrange the frozen sticks in a single layer, spraying lightly with cooking spray.
- 5Air fry for 6-8 minutes, watching closely, until golden and the cheese just starts to soften.
- 6Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.
Make it yours
- Use pepper jack string cheese for a spicy version.
- Add grated parmesan to the breading for extra flavor.
- Serve with ranch instead of marinara.
Good with
- Warm marinara sauce
- Ranch dressing
- A side salad for a light meal
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, answered.
Why freeze the sticks before air frying?
Freezing keeps the cheese from oozing out before the coating has time to crisp up.
Can I use store-bought frozen mozzarella sticks?
Yes, cook them straight from frozen following the package time as a starting guide, checking a minute or two early.
Keep cooking
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