Air-Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Total Time Prep: 15 min. + freezing Cook: 10 min.
Yield 1 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
Air-fryer mozzarella sticks are the quick and easy homemade version of your favorite frozen snack food. Marinara sauce not required, but it is strongly recommended!

Ingredients

  • 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

Directions

  1. In a small skillet, toast bread crumbs until lightly browned, about 1-2 minutes. Cool completely.
  2. Place flour in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, beat eggs and water. In a third shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and pepper. Coat cheese sticks with flour, then dip into egg mixture and coat with bread crumb mixture. Repeat egg and bread crumb coatings. Cover and freeze for 8 hours or overnight.
  3. Preheat an air fryer to 400°. Place cheese in a single layer on a greased tray in air-fryer basket; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown and heated through, 6-8 minutes, turning halfway through cooking and spritzing with additional cooking spray. Let stand 3-5 minutes before serving. Serve with marinara or pasta sauce for dipping. If desired, sprinkle with basil.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 148 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 384mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein.

Deep-fried mozzarella sticks are one of our favorite appetizers. I figured out how to make them at home without having to haul out the deep fryer. Make sure to double-bread each one so these air-fryer mozzarella sticks get nice and crunchy, and to keep the cheese from oozing out as they get warm. —Mary Merchant, Barre, Vermont
Recipe Creator

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