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Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
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This Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks recipe delivers golden, crispy, and gooey cheese bites quickly and healthily. Using an air fryer instead of deep frying reduces grease and calories while giving you a satisfyingly crunchy exterior and melty interior. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, it’s customizable with various seasonings and coatings to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Ingredients

Cheese

  • Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (high-quality string cheese), quantity as desired

Coating

  • All-Purpose Flour, enough for dredging (approx. 1/2 cup)
  • Eggs, beaten (2 large eggs)
  • Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs (about 1 cup)
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese (1/4 cup)
  • Garlic Powder (1 tsp)

Other

  • Cooking Spray (as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cheese Sticks: Cut mozzarella string cheese into halves or thirds to create bite-size sticks. Freeze the cheese sticks for at least 30 minutes to ensure they stay firm during the coating and air frying process, which helps prevent the cheese from melting out prematurely.
  2. Set up Your Breading Stations: Arrange three bowls: one with all-purpose flour, a second with beaten eggs until smooth, and a third with a mixture of Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. This setup is essential for creating a crispy coating.
  3. Coat the Cheese: Roll each frozen mozzarella stick in the flour first, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs followed by coating it thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. For an extra crunchy crust, repeat the egg and breadcrumb dip one more time to create a double coating.
  4. Prepare the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and encourage even browning.
  5. Air Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Place the coated sticks in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch each other. Lightly spray the sticks with cooking spray. Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking, until they are golden brown and crispy.
  6. Serve Immediately: Carefully remove the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer and serve hot with your preferred dipping sauces such as marinara, ranch, spicy sriracha mayo, or garlic aioli for maximum indulgence.

Notes

  • Freeze cheese sticks before breading to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
  • Double coat with eggs and breadcrumbs for a thicker, crunchier crust.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to maintain crispiness.
  • Spray liberally with cooking spray to achieve a golden, crispy texture without deep frying.
  • Try different dips like marinara, spicy ranch, or garlic aioli to vary flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer, mozzarella sticks, crispy snack, appetizer, healthy snack, cheesy snack, gluten-free option, quick recipe

Find it online: https://marycorner.com/air-fryer-mozzarella-sticks/