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Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe Easy Homemade Snack with Marinara Sauce

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These crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks deliver a perfect balance of crunchy breading and gooey melted cheese, ideal for quick snacks, game nights, or family gatherings. The triple coating technique ensures unbeatable crunch without the mess of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 mozzarella cheese sticks (about 28g/1 oz each)
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 ½ cups (150g) Italian-style breadcrumbs (preferably Panko)
  • ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for extra crispiness)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce for dipping (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Unwrap mozzarella sticks and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 1 hour to prevent cheese from melting too fast during cooking.
  2. Prepare three coating stations: In one bowl, mix all-purpose flour (and cornstarch if using). In a second bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. In a third bowl, combine Italian-style breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Coat each frozen mozzarella stick by dredging in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, dipping into the beaten eggs, then coating thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. For extra crispiness, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating once more. Place coated sticks back on the baking sheet and freeze for 15-20 minutes to set the coating.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  5. Place mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  6. Transfer sticks to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Serve immediately warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Freezing the mozzarella sticks before and after coating is essential to prevent cheese leakage during cooking. Triple coating creates a sturdy, crispy crust. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for even crisping. If cheese oozes out, freeze sticks longer before cooking. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: mozzarella sticks, air fryer, crispy snack, homemade, marinara sauce, easy recipe, cheesy snack, appetizer

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/crispy-air-fryer-mozzarella-sticks-recipe-easy-homemade-snack-with-marinara-sauce/