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Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Easy 5-Minute Snack Recipe

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy, cheesy mozzarella sticks made in the air fryer, delivering a golden crunchy exterior and gooey melty cheese inside without the mess of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Frozen mozzarella sticks (pre-cut string cheese sticks)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (60g)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (100g) or Panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25g)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray (olive or avocado oil spray)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the breading stations: place flour in the first shallow bowl, beaten eggs in the second, and combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper in the third bowl.
  2. Lay frozen mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes to prevent melting during breading and cooking.
  3. Roll each frozen mozzarella stick in flour, shake off excess, dip into beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly in breadcrumb mixture. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb step once more for extra crispiness.
  4. Place the double-coated sticks back on the baking sheet and freeze for another 30 minutes to set the coating and reduce cheese oozing.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
  6. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the sticks in a single layer without overcrowding and spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.
  7. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 6 minutes, then carefully flip the sticks and cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Watch closely during the last minute to avoid burning.
  8. Check for doneness: the exterior should be crunchy and golden brown, and the cheese inside gooey but not leaking excessively.
  9. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce such as marinara, ranch, or spicy sriracha mayo.

Notes

Freeze mozzarella sticks before and after breading to prevent cheese leakage. Double coat with egg and breadcrumbs for extra crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: mozzarella sticks, air fryer, crispy snack, cheesy appetizer, easy snack recipe, quick snack, party food, healthier fried cheese

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/crispy-air-fryer-mozzarella-sticks-easy-5-minute-snack-recipe/