Mozzarella Sticks (Air Fryer Recipe)
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are full of warm, ooey, gooey cheese that’s coated in a crunchy homemade batter and fried to perfection.
Servings: 6 large mozzarella sticks
Calories: 238kcal
Ingredients
- 12 low-moisture mozzarella sticks frozen
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt divided in half
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp minced fresh basil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp water
- Optional garnish: fresh, chopped basil
Instructions
- Be sure to have your mozzarella sticks completely frozen before you begin this recipe. Do not remove them from the freezer until you are ready to coat and cook them.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, if your model requires preheating.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour and ½ teaspoon of salt. Set aside.
- In a separate, shallow bowl whisk together the panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, fresh basil and ½ teaspoon of salt. Set aside with the bowl of flour.
- In a third shallow bowl, beat together the eggs and water with a fork or wire whisk. Place in between the other bowls and remove 6 mozzarella cheese sticks from the freezer.
- One at a time, coat the mozzarella sticks in the flour, making sure that they are completely covered. Following the flour, dip the sticks into the egg mixture, covering them completely.
- Place the mozzarella sticks in the panko mixture and turn multiple times, until they are lightly covered in the mixture.
- Place the sticks back in the eggs and recoat them.
- Finish by placing them back in the panko bowl and coating them a final time.
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking oil and then place the sticks in the air fryer in a single, non touching layer and cook for 6-8 minutes or until lightly golden brown all over. Do not overcook them or the cheese may bubble out and make a mess in the bottom of your air fryer!
- While the first batch is cooking, remove the remaining sticks from the freezer and prepare them following steps 6 through 9. When the first batch finishes, cook the second batch in the same way.
- Let the cheese sticks set for 1-2 minutes after cooking and garnish with fresh, chopped basil, optional. Serve with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition
