Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (Printable Version)

Golden crispy mozzarella sticks with a melty center, perfect for a cheesy, comforting snack.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 warm marinara sauce

# Directions:

01 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice each mozzarella stick in half for 24 shorter pieces if desired.
02 - Fill three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs mixed with milk, and one with combined Italian-style breadcrumbs, panko, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
03 - Dredge each mozzarella stick in flour, shake off excess, then dip into the egg mixture, and coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
04 - Repeat dipping the mozzarella sticks into the egg mixture followed by the breadcrumb coating to ensure extra crispiness and prevent cheese leakage.
05 - Arrange coated sticks on the prepared baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour until solid.
06 - Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
07 - Place frozen sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with cooking oil. Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crisp and cheese is beginning to melt without oozing.
08 - Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in under 25 minutes from frozen to table—no thawing required if you plan ahead.
  • The double breading trick creates an almost impossible crunch that makes every bite satisfying.
  • Your air fryer does all the heavy lifting, and cleanup is genuinely painless.
02 -
  • Freezing is not optional—I learned this the hard way when I skipped it once and ended up with a puddle of cheese and a sad shell.
  • The double breading makes the difference between a good snack and one that impresses people; it's worth the extra step.
  • Air fryer baskets vary wildly, so check at the 6-minute mark the first time you make these—some run hotter than others.
03 -
  • Buy quality string cheese if you can—cheaper versions have lower fat content and leak more easily.
  • If you're making these for a crowd, bread them all at once and freeze them in a single layer on a sheet before transferring to a freezer bag; this keeps them from sticking together.
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