Enjoy super crispy, cheesy mozzarella sticks without the oil. This recipe uses the air fryer for a lighter, healthier, and equally delicious snack.
Author:Ben Androshov
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:8 minutes
Total Time:23 minutes
Yield:12 sticks
Category:Appetizer
Method:Air Frying
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
12 ounces fresh mozzarella string cheese, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Marinara sauce, for serving
Instructions
Pat the mozzarella cheese pieces dry with a paper towel.
Set up three shallow dishes. In the first, place the flour. In the second, place the beaten eggs. In the third, combine the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Dip each mozzarella stick first in the flour, shaking off any excess.
Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated.
Finally, press the cheese stick into the panko mixture, coating it evenly. Place the coated sticks on a plate and freeze for at least 30 minutes to help them hold their shape.
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
Arrange the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch. You may need to cook in batches.
Air fry for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.
Serve immediately with marinara sauce.
Notes
For extra crispiness, you can double-coat the mozzarella sticks: dip in egg, then panko, then egg again, and finally panko again.
Ensure the mozzarella sticks are well-frozen before air frying to prevent them from melting out.
Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.