Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (Printable)

Golden and crunchy mozzarella sticks with a melty center, made quick and easy using an air fryer.

# What You'll 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

# How to Make It:

01 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If preferred, 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 mozzarella stick first in flour, shaking off excess; then dip in the egg mixture; finally, coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb blend.
04 - Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating steps to form a double layer, ensuring extra crispness and preventing cheese leakage.
05 - Arrange the breaded sticks in a single layer on the baking sheet and freeze for at least one hour until solid.
06 - Set the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat.
07 - Place frozen sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, spray lightly with cooking oil, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crisp with melting cheese inside.
08 - Remove sticks promptly and serve immediately with warmed marinara sauce.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Golden and crispy without a trace of greasiness or deep-fry mess.
  • The cheese stays melted and gooey inside while the coating crunches perfectly, and you can make a whole batch in under 10 minutes.
  • Freezer-friendly means you can prep them during a calm moment and fry them on demand whenever hunger strikes.
02 -
  • Freezing is absolutely critical—don't skip this step or you'll end up with burst cheese and a ruined batch, trust me on this one.
  • The double-breading technique is what separates mediocre from restaurant-quality results, creating that satisfying crunchy shell that holds everything inside.
  • Timing matters more than temperature—cooking too long means cheese erupts everywhere, while too short and the outside won't be crispy enough to justify skipping the dipping sauce.
03 -
  • The moment you pull them from the air fryer, they're at peak crispiness, so serve them immediately—waiting even five minutes means they'll soften as they cool.
  • If you want to make a smaller batch, the ratios work perfectly even if you're just cooking four or six sticks instead of twelve.
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