Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (Printable)

Golden-brown mozzarella sticks with a crispy coating and gooey center, perfect for snacking or sharing.

# What You Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
03 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

→ Coating

04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 2 tablespoons milk
06 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

→ Seasonings (optional)

07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ For Serving

11 - 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed

# Directions:

01 - Optionally slice each mozzarella stick in half to yield 24 shorter sticks.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs mixed with milk, and one with combined Italian-style breadcrumbs, panko, and optional seasonings.
03 - Dredge each stick in flour, shake off excess, dip into the egg mixture, then thoroughly coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
04 - Repeat dipping in egg and coating in breadcrumbs to prevent cheese leakage and enhance crunch.
05 - Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour until firm.
06 - Set air fryer to 390°F (200°C) before cooking.
07 - Place frozen sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, lightly spray with cooking oil, and air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through until golden and crisp with melted but intact cheese.
08 - Serve immediately accompanied by warmed marinara sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're crispy and gooey at the same time—no soggy disappointments or exploding cheese fountains.
  • Your air fryer does all the work with no mess or oil splatters to clean up.
  • You can freeze them ahead and cook straight from frozen, making last-minute entertaining actually stress-free.
02 -
  • Freezing is not optional—it's the difference between a melted cheese disaster and a perfectly set snack with structured layers.
  • Double breading changes everything; skip it once and you'll understand why people swear by it.
  • The air fryer temperature matters more than the exact time; every machine is a little different, so watch for that golden moment rather than the clock.
03 -
  • Don't skip the parchment paper on your freezer sheet—it prevents sticking and makes cleanup effortless.
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, you can air fry multiple batches in quick succession; they'll stay warm together while you cycle through.
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