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air fryer mozzarella sticks

smalltownwoman avatar
Recipe by
Beth Pierce
@smalltownwoman
Ofallon, MO

These easy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are panko breaded mozzarella string cheese cooked to crispy perfection in about five minutes in an air fryer. Skip the deep fryer, the extra calories, and the mess. They cook up just as crispy and tasty as the deep fried version. In fact my family and friends like them better.

yield 4 serving(s)
prep time 15 Min
cook time 5 Min
method Air Fryer

Ingredients For air fryer mozzarella sticks

  • 8
    mozzarella string cheese
  • 1/4 c
    flour
  • 2
    large eggs
  • 1 c
    panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp
    italian spices
  • 1/2 tsp
    garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp
    fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp
    olive oil
  • 2/3 c
    marinara (optional)

How To Make air fryer mozzarella sticks

  • 1
    Unwrap and cut the mozzarella sticks in half. Add the flour to a bowl. Whisk the eggs together in a second bowl. In a third bowl combine the panko breadcrumbs, Italian spices, garlic powder, and black pepper.
  • 2
    Dredge the mozzarella sticks in the flour, then dunk in the beaten eggs, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture. Place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper with space between them. Place the baking sheet on a level surface in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
  • 3
    Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees. Brush the mozzarella sticks with olive oil. Place in the air fryer basket with space between the sticks. Cook for 5 minutes or until they are brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them. If the cheese starts to escape then remove them from the air fryer quickly.
  • 4
    NOTES For extra crispy mozzarella sticks dunk them one more time in the beaten eggs and then in the panko bread crumb mixture. Increase the breadcrumbs to 1 1/4 cups and the eggs to 3. Freeze the breaded mozzarella sticks on a parchment covered baking sheet with space between the sticks for at least 30 minutes. Every air fryer cooks at a little different pace so check on the sticks several times. For maximum enjoyment serve with warm marinara. Refrigerate leftovers and reheat in the air fryer at 390 degrees for about 5 minutes. Freeze for up to 3 months. See below for freezing tips.
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