Description
Crispy, golden-brown Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks with a flavorful seasoned Panko breadcrumb coating. These quick and easy appetizers are perfectly melted on the inside and crunchy on the outside, ready in under 30 minutes. Ideal for a delicious snack or party treat.
Ingredients
Cheese
- 12 sticks string cheese (Mozzarella)
Breading
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Other
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Breading Station: Set up three separate bowls. Place all-purpose flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and in the third bowl, combine Panko breadcrumbs with salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Coat the Cheese Sticks: Dredge each string cheese stick in the flour until fully coated. Then dip into the beaten eggs, ensuring full coverage. Finally, roll the stick in the seasoned Panko mixture to coat evenly.
- Double Coat for Crunch: Repeat the egg dip and Panko coating steps once more for each cheese stick to build a thicker, crispier crust.
- Freeze the Sticks: Place the breaded Mozzarella sticks in a single layer on a parchment-lined pan and freeze for at least 45 minutes or overnight. This step helps the breading adhere better and prevents the cheese from melting too quickly.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Heat your air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Arrange and Spray: Remove the frozen sticks from the freezer, lightly spray them with cooking spray, and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket without touching.
- Air Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Cook at 400° Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes until the coating is golden brown and crispy and the cheese inside is melted.
- Serve Immediately: Carefully remove the mozzarella sticks from the air fryer and serve hot with warm marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Freezing the breaded sticks before air frying is key to preventing cheese from oozing out.
- Ensure sticks are not touching in the air fryer basket for even cooking and crispiness.
- You can double coat the sticks with Panko for extra crunch.
- Serve with marinara or ranch dressing for best results.
- If you don't have an air fryer, these can be oven-baked at 425°F for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through.
