Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

I recently discovered the magic of making air fryer mozzarella sticks at home, and let me tell you, this is the ultimate snack alchemy. Who knew that freezing them first could take something from zero to “I need these in my life right now!” with such crispy perfection? Join me on a journey to cheesy bliss and a breadcrumb crunch you’ll dream about!

I love the crispy, gooey perfection of Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks. With stretchy mozzarella, coated in a flavorful mix of Italian-style breadcrumbs, garlic, and onion powder, these snacks offer a healthier twist on a classic favorite.

Paired with marinara sauce, they’re irresistible and simple to make at home!

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe Ingredients

• Mozzarella sticks: Rich in protein, providing a chewy and satisfying texture.
• All-purpose flour: Provides a crispy coating through starch, adding essential carbohydrates.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and offer protein and essential nutrients.
• Italian-style breadcrumbs: Infuse Italian flavors and create a crunchy layer.
• Garlic powder: Adds aromatic depth and a hint of savory spice.
• Onion powder: Enhances flavor with a subtle sweetness and tang.
• Italian seasoning: Blends herbs for authentic Italian taste and aroma.

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe Ingredient Quantities

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• 12 mozzarella sticks or string cheese
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Cooking spray
• Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)

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How to Make this Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

1. Slice the mozzarella sticks in half and place them in the freezer for a minimum of 1 hour to ensure they are totally solid.

2. Arrange three shallow bowls. The first is filled with flour, the second with beaten eggs and water, and the third with breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

3. For each frozen mozzarella stick half, follow these steps:
1. Coat in flour, shaking off the excess.
2. Dip in the egg mixture.
3. Coat thoroughly.

4. Take each stick and roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so that the coating adheres. Then take the egg and breadcrumb coating and do the same again for a second time; this will give you a thicker crust.

5. Arrange the mozzarella sticks that have been coated in the breading on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. The goal is to prevent the sticks from melting while cooking.

6. Set your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and allow it to heat up.

7. Lightly spray the cooking spray on all sides of the frozen mozzarella sticks.

8. Arrange the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the basket.

9. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, turning halfway through cooking.

10. Serve right away with marinara sauce for dipping, if desired.

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Freezer
2. Knife
3. Cutting board
4. Three shallow bowls
5. Whisk or fork (for beating eggs and water)
6. Baking sheet
7. Parchment paper
8. Air fryer
9. Cooking spray
10. Tongs (for turning mozzarella sticks in the air fryer)

FAQ

• Q: Can I make these mozzarella sticks ahead of time?Absolutely! You can prep them and freeze them before air frying, so they’re ready to go for a quick snack. Just be sure to add an extra minute or two to their cooking time if you’re pulling them straight from the freezer.
• Q: What can I use instead of Italian-style breadcrumbs?Panko breadcrumbs can be used when a crunchier texture is desired, or you can make your own by adding Italian herbs to plain breadcrumbs.
• Q: How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out during cooking?A: Make sure that every stick gets thoroughly covered in each stage of the breading process. Pre-cooking them in the freezer also aids in keeping the cheese contained.
• Q: Can I use low-fat cheese sticks?A: Yes, but use low-fat cheese sticks, which might melt more quickly than regular cheese sticks, so keep an eye on the cooking time.
• Q: Is it possible to bake these instead of air frying?A: Indeed, heat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 8-10 minutes. Halfway through, turn them. They should emerge from the oven golden and crispy.
• Q: How do I store leftover mozzarella sticks?A: Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, and reheat them in the air fryer to keep them crispy.

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Rather than mozzarella sticks, contemplate using a vegan cheese stick alternative.
Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour for a healthier variation.
Instead of Italian-style, use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crispier texture.
Use garlic salt, instead of garlic powder, but decrease the salt added in the recipe by half.
Substitute smoked paprika for dried Italian seasoning. Why? Because smoked paprika will not taste like Italian seasoning, and it shouldn’t. If you want to be complex, you can talk about how the flavor profiles of these two seasoning blends (or, in this case, one seasoning blend and one single seasoning) are different.

Pro Tips

1. Freeze Thoroughly Ensure the mozzarella sticks are well-frozen both before and after breading. This helps maintain their shape during air frying and prevents the cheese from oozing out too quickly.

2. Double Coat for Extra Crunch After applying the initial breadcrumb coating, dip the sticks back into the egg mixture and then again in the breadcrumbs. This double coating results in a thicker, crunchier exterior.

3. Avoid Overcrowding in the Air Fryer Cook the mozzarella sticks in a single layer with space around each one. This ensures even heating and a crispy texture on all sides.

4. Rotate Midway Flip the mozzarella sticks halfway through cooking for even browning and ensure both sides get equally crispy.

5. Serve Immediately For the best taste and texture, enjoy the mozzarella sticks as soon as they come out of the air fryer. Serve with marinara sauce for an extra burst of flavor.