Glorious Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
These Glorious Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are the perfect crispy and gooey snack made effortlessly in an air fryer. With a crunchy panko breadcrumb coating seasoned with salt and pepper, these mozzarella sticks are an ideal appetizer or snack that cooks quickly and cleanly without deep frying. Frozen beforehand to hold their shape, they come out golden and melty inside in just 6 minutes.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 21 minutes
- Yield: 12 mozzarella sticks 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 12 oz mozzarella string cheese, cut into halves
Breading
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Others
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Freeze Mozzarella: Place the mozzarella stick halves in the freezer for at least 1 hour to firm them up, which helps them hold their shape during the cooking process and prevents excessive melting.
- Prepare Breading Stations: Set up three shallow dishes. Put the all-purpose flour in the first dish, the beaten eggs in the second, and combine the panko breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper in the third dish.
- Coat Cheese Sticks: Take one mozzarella stick at a time; first coat it evenly with flour, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally press it into the seasoned panko breadcrumb mixture to cover completely.
- Arrange for Cooking: Lay the coated mozzarella sticks in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet to keep them ready for air frying without crowding.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) to ensure even cooking and crispy results.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Air Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Place the mozzarella sticks in the basket in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch to allow hot air to circulate properly. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Cook and Flip: Air fry for 6 minutes total, flipping the mozzarella sticks halfway through at around 3 minutes. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside with melted cheese inside.
Notes
- Freezing the mozzarella sticks beforehand is key to preventing the cheese from leaking out during air frying.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to maintain crispiness and even cooking.
- Adjust cooking time slightly depending on your air fryer model for best results.
- Serve immediately for the crispiest texture and gooey cheese center.
- Can be paired with marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
Keywords: air fryer mozzarella sticks, crispy mozzarella sticks, easy appetizer, snack recipe, panko mozzarella sticks
