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Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

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Crispy, golden mozzarella sticks made in the air fryer with a double-coat breading technique and freeze step that prevents the cheese from leaking out. Ready in under an hour with just 6 ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 string cheese sticks (or 12 oz low-moisture mozzarella block, cut into 3.5-inch sticks)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Cooking spray
  • Marinara sauce, for dipping

Instructions

  1. Arrange three shallow bowls in a line: flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and panko mixed with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt in the third. Keep string cheese sticks refrigerated until ready to bread.
  2. Double-coat each stick in this order: flour (tap off excess) → egg → panko (press firmly) → egg → panko (press firmly again). Check for any thin spots and patch with extra panko and egg. There should be no visible cheese through the breading.
  3. Arrange breaded sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet with space between each one. Freeze for a minimum of 30 minutes (overnight is better). Do not skip this step.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes. Spray basket with cooking spray. Arrange sticks in a single layer with gaps between them — do not let them touch. Spray tops generously with cooking spray. Air fry at 390°F for 6–8 minutes, checking at 6 minutes. They are done when deep golden-brown with tiny spots of cheese just beginning to show at the ends.
  5. Remove from air fryer and serve immediately with marinara sauce. The cheese is at peak stretch within 2 minutes of cooking; it firms up quickly as it cools.

Notes

Optional upgrade: Replace 1/4 cup of the panko with finely grated Parmesan for a nuttier, more complex crust.

Use low-moisture mozzarella only. String cheese is ideal — pre-portioned and already low in moisture. If using a block, buy low-moisture mozzarella, not fresh. Fresh mozzarella has too much water and will leak through even a double coat.

Store-bought frozen mozzarella sticks: Air fry at 400°F for 5–6 minutes with no thaw and no extra oil spray needed.

Reheating: Air fry at 375°F for 2–3 minutes. Watch closely — overheating causes leaking.

Overnight freeze: Produces the best results. Sticks frozen solid may need an extra 1–2 minutes of cook time.

Find it online: https://airfrycentral.com/air-fryer-mozzarella-sticks/