Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Crispy on the outside, impossibly stretchy inside — these air fryer mozzarella sticks deliver the full cheese pull with none of the deep-frying. The trick is freezing them first so the coating crisps before the cheese escapes.
They’re the perfect party snack or movie-night treat. Serve them with marinara and a side of our air fryer potato wedges.
The secret to air fryer mozzarella sticks that don’t leak
Double-coat the mozzarella sticks and freeze them solid before cooking — a thick, frozen shell is what stops the cheese from oozing out in the basket. Don’t overcook; pull them the moment they turn golden.
Ingredients
Values are estimated, per serving.
Procedure
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Bread the cheese sticks
Coat each cheese stick in flour, then egg, then the panko mixed with garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt. For a thicker shell, dip in egg and panko a second time.
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Freeze them solid
Freeze the coated sticks for at least 30 minutes — this is essential to stop the cheese leaking.
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Preheat the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
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Air fry until golden
Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 6–8 minutes, until golden and crisp.
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Serve with marinara
Serve immediately with marinara for dipping.
