Description
Crispy, golden air fryer mozzarella sticks deliver a mouthwatering Italian-inspired appetizer that melts perfectly with minimal oil. Cheese lovers will savor these quick, crunchy bites that bring restaurant-style indulgence straight to home kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese:
- 12 mozzarella sticks
Breading Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup (120 grams) breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Additional Items:
- Cooking spray
- Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare an air fryer setup at 375F (190C) for optimal crispy results.
- Create a three-stage coating process using flour, whisked eggs, and seasoned breadcrumb mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Carefully coat each mozzarella stick first in flour, ensuring complete coverage, then dip thoroughly in egg mixture.
- Roll the egg-coated cheese stick generously in herbed breadcrumbs, pressing gently to secure an even, thick coating.
- Meticulously arrange breaded mozzarella sticks in a single, non-touching layer within the air fryer basket.
- Lightly mist the coated cheese sticks with cooking spray to enhance crispiness and golden exterior.
- Air fry for 6-8 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust without melting the cheese completely.
- Remove immediately once crisp and allow brief cooling to prevent burning.
- Serve hot alongside classic marinara sauce for a delightful appetizer or snack experience.
Notes
- Use low-moisture mozzarella sticks to prevent excessive melting and maintain their shape during air frying.
- Freeze the breaded mozzarella sticks for 30 minutes before cooking to help the breading stick better and create a crispier exterior.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour and gluten-free panko.
- Experiment with different seasoning blends in the breadcrumb mixture, such as Italian herbs, chili powder, or parmesan cheese for added flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg