air-fryer-mozzarella-sticks

Appetizers Collection

Air-Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

These crispy air-fryer mozzarella sticks taste like your favorite mozzarella sticks without the fuss of frying and with much less oil thanks to the magic of your air fryer. The crust is crispy and the cheese inside is ooey-gooey—perfect for dipping in marinara.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs, preferably whole-wheat
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 8 low-moisture part-skim mozzarella string cheese sticks
  • ¾ cup lower-sodium marinara sauce, warmed

Directions

  1. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. Spread flour in a shallow dish. Beat eggs in a separate shallow dish. Combine panko, oil and Italian seasoning in a third shallow dish, stirring to evenly coat the panko with oil.

  2. Working with 1 mozzarella stick at a time, dredge in the flour to completely coat. Dip in the egg, completely coating the cheese; allow the excess to drip off. Dredge in the panko mixture, pressing to adhere. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining cheese sticks. Freeze until the coating is set, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Reserve the egg and panko mixtures.

  3. Remove the breaded sticks from the freezer. Dip each stick in the egg again, allowing excess to drip off. Dip in the panko mixture, pressing to adhere. Return to the baking sheet and freeze until the coating is firm, 30 minutes to 1 hour

  4. Preheat an air fryer to 390°F. Coat the basket with cooking spray. Working in batches, if necessary, place the cheese sticks in an even layer, about 1/2 inch apart, in the basket and cook until golden brown and crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve immediately with marinara.