air fryer mozzarella sticks
These crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks are an easy and delicious appetizer or snack. With a golden exterior and gooey cheese center, they are sure to please!
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 3 shallow bowls
- 1 plate for breading
- 1 tongs or fork
- 1 baking sheet (optional for cooling)
Ingredients
- 12 pieces mozzarella sticks (string cheese) Freeze for about 30 minutes before breading.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs Beaten for dipping.
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Panko)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- as needed spray cooking spray For spraying the air fryer basket.
Instructions
- Begin by freezing the mozzarella sticks for about 30 minutes. This will help prevent the cheese from oozing out during cooking.
- In a shallow bowl, place the flour. In a second shallow bowl, whisk the eggs. In a third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt.
- Take a frozen mozzarella stick and coat it in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the floured mozzarella stick in the beaten eggs, ensuring it's fully coated.
- Roll the mozzarella stick in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs. Repeat this process for all the mozzarella sticks.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Lightly spray the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray. Place the breaded mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they do not touch each other.
- Cook in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Once cooked, remove the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.
For added flavor, consider adding some cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicy kick.
Make sure to keep the mozzarella sticks frozen until you're ready to bread them to prevent excessive melting during cooking.