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Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

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An easy homemade snack recipe for crispy, cheesy mozzarella sticks made in the air fryer with a crunchy triple-dip coating.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Mozzarella cheese block, cut into sticks about 3 inches long by ½ inch thick
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Cooking spray or olive oil spray

Instructions

  1. Slice the mozzarella block into sticks approximately 3 inches long and ½ inch thick. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. Set up three bowls: one with ½ cup flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs, ¼ cup grated Parmesan, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
  3. Dredge each mozzarella stick in flour, tapping off excess. Dip into beaten eggs, letting extra drip off. Roll in breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb step once more for extra crunch.
  4. Place coated sticks on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes to prevent cheese leakage during cooking.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray. Arrange sticks in a single layer without touching. Spray tops lightly as well.
  7. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Watch carefully near the end to avoid burning.
  8. Let sticks cool for 1-2 minutes before serving. Serve with marinara or ranch dip.

Notes

Freezing the coated sticks before air frying is essential to prevent cheese from leaking out. Use block mozzarella for best melting results. Spray sticks with oil to help crisp the coating evenly. For gluten-free, substitute flour and breadcrumbs accordingly. Baking alternative: bake at 425°F for 10-12 minutes on a wire rack, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

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

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