Air Fryer Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
These crispy, gooey mozzarella sticks deliver restaurant-quality results with minimal oil and no mess, thanks to a double-breading technique and a crucial freezing step.
Equipment
- Air fryer - 3-quart capacity or larger (Cosori 5.8-Quart recommended)
- Shallow bowls - 3 bowls for breading stations
- Baking sheet - lined with parchment paper
- Kitchen tongs - for flipping cheese sticks
- Whisk - for beating eggs
Ingredients
- 16 mozzarella string cheese sticks - unwrapped, Frigo Cheese Heads recommended
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour - 60g
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk - 30ml
- 1.5 cups Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs - 150g
- 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs - 50g
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 50g
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- cooking spray or olive oil spray - for coating basket and cheese sticks
- marinara sauce - for serving (Rao's Homemade recommended)
Instructions
- Set up three shallow bowls: flour in the first, beaten eggs and milk in the second, and breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper in the third.
- Unwrap and cut each mozzarella string cheese stick in half crosswise to make 32 shorter pieces.
- Dip each cheese piece in flour, then egg mixture, then breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to coat all sides. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Repeat the egg and breadcrumb dip for a second coating, pressing firmly. This double layer prevents cheese leakage and ensures extra crunch.
- Freeze the coated cheese sticks for at least 30 minutes. This crucial step firms the cheese so it melts slowly and stays inside the coating during cooking.
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange frozen cheese sticks in a single layer with 1/2 inch space between each. Lightly spray the tops.
- Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 6-8 minutes. Flip halfway through at 4 minutes and spray the other side. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Remove immediately and serve hot with warm marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy while the cheese is perfectly melted and gooey.
Notes
- Always freeze the coated cheese sticks for a minimum of 30 minutes before cooking to prevent the cheese from exploding or oozing out.
- Double coating is essential for a thick, crispy barrier that keeps the cheese contained and creates maximum crunch.
- Use cooking spray generously on both the basket and the cheese sticks to achieve a deep golden color and crispy texture.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches with about 1/2 inch of space between sticks for proper air circulation.
- Flip the cheese sticks halfway through cooking to ensure even browning on all sides.
- For extra heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture for spicy cheese sticks.
- Store uncooked breaded cheese sticks in the freezer for up to 2 months, separated by parchment paper in a freezer-safe bag.
- Reheat leftover cooked cheese sticks in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes.
- Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar, pepper jack, or Colby-Jack for varied flavor profiles.
Nutrition
Serving: 2cheese sticksCalories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 10gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4.5gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 410mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 20mgIron: 6mg
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