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Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Close-up of crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks on a white plate, showing a dramatic cheese pull from one broken stick.
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Make perfectly crispy mozzarella sticks in your air fryer with a melted cheese center. This recipe works well for both frozen and homemade sticks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 frozen mozzarella sticks OR 12 sticks fresh mozzarella, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Cooking spray (or 1 teaspoon oil for brushing)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce, for dipping

Instructions

  1. If using fresh mozzarella, freeze the cut pieces for at least 1 hour to help prevent leaking.
  2. Set up a standard breading station: place flour in the first shallow dish, beaten egg in the second, and mix the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning in the third dish.
  3. If using frozen sticks, lightly spray them with cooking spray. If using fresh sticks, dredge each piece first in flour, then dip in the egg, and finally coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture. Press the breading on firmly.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 3 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the breaded mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they do not touch. Work in batches if necessary.
  6. Lightly spray the tops of the sticks with cooking spray.
  7. Air fry for 6 to 9 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until the exterior is golden brown and crispy. Cooking time may vary based on your air fryer model and whether the sticks were frozen or fresh.
  8. Remove immediately and serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • For extra crispness, you can lightly brush the breaded sticks with a thin layer of oil before air frying instead of spraying.
  • If you notice cheese starting to leak during cooking, reduce the temperature by 10 degrees for the remaining time.
  • If you make these from scratch, double-breading (flour, egg, breadcrumbs, egg, breadcrumbs) offers the best defense against leakage.

Nutrition

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