Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Introduction

Air fryer mozzarella sticks are a crispy, gooey snack that’s easy to make at home without deep frying. With a golden, seasoned breadcrumb coating and melty cheese inside, they’re perfect for a quick treat or party appetizer.

Ingredients

• 8 mozzarella cheese sticks
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Olive oil spray

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a shallow bowl or pie plate, mix the flour, kosher salt, and black pepper. Set this aside for coating.
2. Step 2: In a separate shallow dish, whisk the eggs until smooth.
3. Step 3: Prepare a third shallow bowl by combining the panko bread crumbs with garlic powder, dried oregano, and paprika. Mix well.
4. Step 4: Cut each mozzarella stick in half to create smaller pieces.
5. Step 5: Working one at a time, coat each piece in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
6. Step 6: Dip the floured cheese stick into the egg mixture, coating it completely and allowing excess to drip off.
7. Step 7: Press the cheese stick firmly into the seasoned panko mixture to coat evenly.
8. Step 8: Place the coated sticks on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes. Keep the egg mixture refrigerated between uses.
9. Step 9: After freezing, dip each stick again into the egg mixture and then back into the panko crumbs for a double coating.
10. Step 10: Return the sticks to the freezer for an additional 30 to 60 minutes to firm up.
11. Step 11: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (199°C) for 5 minutes.
12. Step 12: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange the mozzarella sticks in a single layer with space between each piece. You may need to cook in batches.
13. Step 13: Lightly spray the tops of the mozzarella sticks with olive oil spray to help achieve a crispy crust.
14. Step 14: Cook in the air fryer for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the breading is golden and crisp.

Tips & Variations

• For extra security, try freezing the sticks longer before cooking to prevent cheese leakage.
• Substitute Italian seasoning for oregano and paprika for a different herb flavor.
• Serve with marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
• Use low-moisture mozzarella sticks designed for frying to get the best melt.

Storage

Store any leftover cooked mozzarella sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness. Uncooked, coated sticks can be frozen for up to 1 month; cook them directly from frozen following the same air frying instructions.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I bake mozzarella sticks instead of air frying?

Yes, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 8-10 minutes, turning halfway to ensure even crisping. However, air frying usually yields a crunchier crust.

How do I prevent mozzarella from leaking during cooking?

Double coating the sticks and freezing them well before cooking helps keep the cheese inside. Also, don’t overcook to avoid excessive melting and leakage.

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.9 from 126 reviews

Crispy and gooey Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks made with a flavorful seasoned panko coating. These cheesy snacks are quick to prepare and cooked to perfection using an air fryer, offering a deliciously crunchy exterior while keeping the mozzarella perfectly melty inside.

• Author: Mick
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
• Yield: 16 mozzarella sticks 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese

• 8 mozzarella cheese sticks

Flour Mixture

• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Egg Wash

• 2 eggs

Breading Mixture

• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon paprika

Other

• Olive oil spray

Instructions

1. Prepare the Flour Mixture: In a shallow bowl or pie plate, combine ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Mix well and set aside.
2. Whisk the Eggs: In a separate shallow dish, whisk the 2 eggs until smooth to create an egg wash. Keep refrigerated between uses to maintain freshness.
3. Make the Breadcrumb Mixture: In a third shallow bowl or pie plate, mix together 1 cup panko bread crumbs, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon paprika until well combined.
4. Prepare Cheese Sticks: Cut each mozzarella stick in half to yield 16 smaller pieces for easier dipping and frying.
5. First Coating: Working one at a time, coat each mozzarella piece in the flour mixture, turning to cover all sides. Lightly dust off any excess flour.
6. Dip in Egg Wash: Next, dip the floured cheese sticks into the egg mixture, ensuring they are completely coated. Let any excess egg drip off.
7. Bread the Cheese: Roll the egg-coated sticks in the seasoned panko bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs well.
8. Freeze the Coated Sticks: Place the breaded cheese sticks on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the coating set and prevents cheese from leaking during cooking.
9. Double Dip for Extra Crispiness: After freezing, dip each mozzarella stick again into the egg wash, then into the panko bread crumbs once more. Return them to the freezer for an additional 30 to 60 minutes for best results.
10. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (199°C) for 5 minutes to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for crisping.
11. Prepare for Air Frying: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange the mozzarella sticks in a single layer with some space between each; avoid overcrowding. You may need to cook them in batches.
12. Cook the Mozzarella Sticks: Lightly spray the top of the mozzarella sticks with olive oil spray to encourage browning. Air fry for 5 to 8 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling inside and the breading is golden and crispy.

Notes

• Freezing the coated mozzarella sticks is essential to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking during cooking.
• Double dipping in egg and breadcrumbs creates a thicker, crunchier coating for extra texture.
• Serve immediately after cooking for best taste and gooey cheese experience.
• You can customize the seasoning in the bread crumbs to your preference, adding cayenne for a spicy kick or Italian seasoning for additional herb flavor.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, these mozzarella sticks can also be baked in a conventional oven at 425°F (220°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Olive oil spray helps achieve a crispy, golden crust without deep frying, making this a lighter snack option.

Keywords: air fryer mozzarella sticks, crispy mozzarella sticks, cheesy appetizer, panko mozzarella sticks, easy snack recipe