Description
These Air-Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are a crispy, cheesy snack made lighter with air frying instead of deep frying. Perfectly seasoned breadcrumbs coat gooey melted cheese for an irresistible appetizer served with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups dry bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 12 sticks string cheese
- Cooking spray
- 1 cup marinara sauce or meatless pasta sauce, warmed
- Chopped fresh basil, optional
Instructions
- Cut each string cheese stick in half for smaller portions if desired. Place cheese sticks on a tray and freeze for at least 1 hour until firm.
- In one shallow bowl, place flour. In a second bowl, whisk eggs with water. In a third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Dredge each cheese stick in flour, dip in egg mixture, then coat with breadcrumb mixture. For a thicker crust, repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps.
- Arrange breaded sticks on a tray and freeze again for at least 30 minutes before air frying to prevent cheese leakage.
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Lightly coat mozzarella sticks with cooking spray and place them in a single layer in the basket.
- Air fry for 6–8 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp.
- Serve hot with warmed marinara sauce and garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Freezing the cheese sticks before cooking helps prevent cheese from oozing out.
- Double-coating with breadcrumbs makes them extra crispy.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if necessary.
- Best served immediately while hot and melty.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mozzarella stick
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: air fryer mozzarella sticks, cheesy appetizer, homemade mozzarella sticks, crispy cheese sticks