Description
Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, these air-fried mozzarella sticks are the ultimate snack or appetizer. Coated in a flavorful breadcrumb crust, they’re the perfect balance of gooey cheese and golden crunch, all without the deep-frying mess!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks (or string cheese sticks)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Set up a breading station: place the flour in a shallow bowl, the beaten eggs in another, and combine the Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper in a third bowl.
- Coat each mozzarella stick in flour, dip in the beaten eggs, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray and place the breaded mozzarella sticks in the basket. Make sure they are not touching to allow even crisping.
- Air fry the mozzarella sticks for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside. You can flip them halfway through for even crispness.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce!
Notes
- For extra crispiness, freeze the mozzarella sticks for 30 minutes before breading them.
- You can also bake them in a regular oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes if you don’t have an air fryer.
- These mozzarella sticks are perfect with marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American