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Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks: Best Easy Snack Recipe

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These crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks are the perfect easy snack, delivering a shatteringly crunchy crust and gooey melted cheese without the mess of deep frying. Made with simple ingredients and ready in about 20 minutes, they’re a crowd-pleaser for game days, movie nights, or any time a craving hits.

Ingredients

  • Mozzarella cheese block (8 oz or 226g)
  • All-purpose flour (¼ cup or 30g)
  • Large eggs (2)
  • Panko breadcrumbs (1 cup or 80g)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (¼ cup or 25g)
  • Dried Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon)
  • Garlic powder (½ teaspoon)
  • Salt (½ teaspoon)
  • Black pepper (¼ teaspoon)
  • Olive oil spray
  • Marinara sauce (for dipping)

Instructions

  1. Cut the cheese: Unwrap the mozzarella block and pat it dry. Slice it into sticks about ½ inch thick and 3 inches long. You should get about 12 sticks from an 8-ounce block.
  2. Set up your breading station: Get three shallow bowls ready. In the first bowl, add the flour. In the second, beat the eggs until smooth. In the third, mix the panko, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Coat the sticks: Roll each mozzarella stick in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg wash, letting excess drip off. Press into the panko mixture, turning to coat all sides. Place on the lined baking sheet. Repeat with all sticks.
  4. Double dip (optional but recommended): For extra crunch, repeat the egg wash and breading steps for each stick.
  5. Freeze the sticks: Place the baking sheet with the coated mozzarella sticks in the freezer for at least 20 minutes. This is non-negotiable to prevent cheese leaks.
  6. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes.
  7. Air fry the sticks: Remove the frozen sticks from the freezer. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place the sticks in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between each. Spray the tops lightly with more olive oil. Air fry at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check at 6 minutes for deep golden brown color.
  8. Let them rest: Remove the sticks from the air fryer and let them rest on a plate for 1-2 minutes. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Freezing the coated sticks for at least 20 minutes is essential to prevent cheese from leaking. For extra crunch, double-coat the sticks. If cooking from frozen, add 1-2 minutes to the air fry time. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer mozzarella sticks, crispy mozzarella sticks, easy snack recipe, game day appetizer, homemade mozzarella sticks

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/crispy-air-fryer-mozzarella-sticks-best-easy-snack-recipe/