Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks: Quick & Easy (Print Version)

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are golden, gooey, and so simple! Get my easy recipe for crispy, cheesy goodness without the deep-fry mess.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Cheesy Core

01 - 12 part-skim mozzarella string cheese sticks

→ Crispy Coating

02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs, whisked
04 - 1 cup plain breadcrumbs

→ Flavor Boosters

05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Optional Dippers

10 - Warm marinara sauce or ranch for serving

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's set up our breading assembly line. Get three shallow bowls ready. In the first, put your flour. In the second, whisk those eggs until they're nice and smooth – really get them frothy! In the third, combine your breadcrumbs with all those lovely flavor boosters: garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix it all up really well. This is where the magic starts to happen, getting all those delicious aromas going.
02 - Now for the fun part: coating! Take each mozzarella stick and roll it in the flour, making sure it’s fully covered. Shake off any excess. Then, dip it into the whisked egg, letting any extra drip off. Finally, roll it generously in the seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure every bit is coated. I always do a double dip: egg again, then breadcrumbs again. It creates a thicker, crispier crust, which, honestly, is what we’re all here for. This step is a bit messy, but totally worth it!
03 - This step is CRITICAL for perfectly gooey Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks, don't skip it! Place your breaded mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate, making sure they aren’t touching. Pop them into the freezer for at least 30 minutes. This helps the coating set and prevents the cheese from melting out too quickly during cooking. Trust me, I learned this the hard way with a few "cheese blowouts" in the past!
04 - While your sticks are chilling, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Give it about 3-5 minutes to get nice and hot. A preheated air fryer is key to getting that instant crispiness on the outside. It’s like giving your sticks a warm welcome to their crispy destiny! I always forget this step and then have to wait around, oops.
05 - Carefully place the frozen Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks in a single layer in your preheated air fryer basket. Don't overcrowd them – this is where patience pays off for maximum crispiness. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through with tongs. You're looking for that gorgeous golden-brown color and perfectly melted, gooey cheese peeking out. Keep an eye on them, air fryers can vary!
06 - Once they’re perfectly golden and the cheese is delightfully gooey, remove your Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks from the basket. They’ll be super hot, so be careful! Serve them immediately with your favorite warm marinara sauce or ranch for dipping. The best part? That satisfying cheese pull! This is the moment you've been waiting for, and honestly, it’s always better than I expect.

# Notes:

01 - Freezing the sticks twice is my secret weapon for preventing cheese explosions; once after breading, and again if you're not cooking them right away.
02 - You can bread these beauties ahead of time and freeze them un-cooked for a quick snack later.
03 - Tried panko instead of regular breadcrumbs once; it gives an extra crunch, but sometimes they get a little *too* jagged.
04 - Always serve these with a warm marinara—cold sauce just doesn't hit the same, honestly.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Air Fryer
02 - Shallow Bowls
03 - Tongs

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 250
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 18g
Protein: 12g

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