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Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks | Crispy & Cheesy Appetizer

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (Crispy, Cheesy & Easy)

These Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are crispy on the outside, perfectly gooey on the inside, and incredibly easy to make. Coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and cooked until golden, they're the perfect appetizer, snack, or party food served with warm marinara sauce.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Resting time 2 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, italian inspired
Calories: 245

Ingredients
  

  • 16 mozzarella string cheese sticks halved
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil cooking spray
  • Warm marinara sauce for serving
  • Chopped fresh parsley optional garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer Basket or oven-style
  • 3 Shallow Bowls For breading station
  • 1 Baking Tray or Plate For freezing the coated sticks
  • 1 Tongs For handling mozzarella sticks
  • 1 Measuring Cups & Spoons For ingredients

Method
 

  1. Cut each mozzarella string cheese stick in half.Place the flour in one shallow bowl.Whisk together the eggs and milk in a second bowl.In a third bowl, combine the Italian breadcrumbs, panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.Coat each cheese stick in flour, dip into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture.Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating for a second layer to help prevent cheese from leaking.Arrange the coated mozzarella sticks on a tray and freeze for 1 hour.Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes if needed.Lightly spray both sides of the frozen mozzarella sticks with cooking spray.Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.Air fry for 6–8 minutes, or until golden and crispy.Let them rest for 2 minutes, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

Notes

  • Double-coat the cheese sticks for extra crunch.
  • Freeze before cooking—don't skip this step.
  • Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
  • Serve immediately while the cheese is hot and stretchy.
  • Pair with marinara, ranch, or garlic aioli.
    Freezing the breaded mozzarella sticks before air frying helps keep the cheese from leaking out while cooking.