Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Introduction

These Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are a quick and easy snack with a crispy golden crust and gooey melted cheese inside. Perfect for satisfying your cheese cravings without the mess of deep frying.

A white plate with a thin black rim holds three golden brown breaded cheese sticks, crispy with some melted cheese oozing slightly at the ends. To the right on the plate, there is a small white bowl filled with thick, rich red marinara sauce, with one of the cheese sticks dipped into it. Around the plate are a few scattered crumbs. The plate is set on a beige and white checkered cloth over a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Organic Valley® Stringles®
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1 Organic Valley® Large Egg
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • Marinara sauce, for serving

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Remove Stringles® from packaging and line a small rimmed baking sheet or plate with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: Place ¼ cup flour, egg, and Panko breadcrumbs in three separate small bowls. Season the Panko with Italian seasoning and garlic powder, and season the flour with salt and pepper. Whisk the egg lightly until beaten.
  3. Step 3: One at a time, dip each Stringles® into the flour, then the egg, and then the Panko, rolling until fully coated. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining Stringles®.
  4. Step 4: Freeze the coated mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to help them hold their shape during cooking.
  5. Step 5: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the mozzarella sticks with cooking spray on both sides.
  6. Step 6: Place the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
  7. Step 7: Serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

  • Freeze the mozzarella sticks well before cooking to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking out.
  • For extra crunch, double coat the sticks by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps once more before freezing.
  • Try serving with different dipping sauces like ranch, spicy tomato sauce, or pesto.

Storage

Store any leftover mozzarella sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to regain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the coating soggy.

How to Serve

Three breaded and baked cheese sticks with a golden, crumbly crust sit on a white plate with a black rim, arranged next to a small white bowl filled with thick red marinara sauce. One cheese stick is partially dipped into the sauce, showing melted cheese oozing slightly from the crispy coating. The plate rests on a light green checkered cloth napkin, all set on a white marbled surface. Small crumbs scattered around add texture to the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I bake these mozzarella sticks instead of using an air fryer?

Yes, you can bake them in an oven preheated to 425°F for about 8-10 minutes or until golden and crispy. Be sure to freeze them first to prevent cheese leakage.

What can I use if I don’t have Panko breadcrumbs?

You can use regular breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, or crushed crackers as a substitute, though the texture may be slightly different.

Print
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Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe


  • Author: Julian
  • Total Time: 2 hours 19 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Crispy and delicious Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks made with Organic Valley® Stringles®, coated in seasoned flour and Panko breadcrumbs, then air fried to golden perfection. A quick and easy snack served with flavorful marinara sauce.


Ingredients

Scale

Cheese

  • 8 ounces Organic Valley® Stringles®

Breading

  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1 Organic Valley® Large Egg
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

For Serving

  • Marinara sauce, for serving

Instructions

  1. Remove Stringles®: Remove the Organic Valley® Stringles® from the packaging and set aside.
  2. Prepare baking sheet: Line a small rimmed baking sheet or plate with parchment paper to place the coated mozzarella sticks on.
  3. Mix seasonings: In three separate small bowls, place the flour, egg, and Panko breadcrumbs. Season the Panko with Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Season the flour with kosher salt and ground pepper. Whisk the egg until lightly beaten.
  4. Coat Stringles®: One at a time, dip each Stringles® first in the seasoned flour, then in the beaten egg, and finally roll in the seasoned Panko breadcrumbs to coat completely. Place each coated mozzarella stick on the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Freeze: Freeze the coated mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours to help them hold together during cooking.
  6. Preheat air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
  7. Air fry mozzarella sticks: Lightly spray both sides of the mozzarella sticks with cooking spray. Arrange them in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for 4 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
  8. Serve: Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • Freezing the coated mozzarella sticks before air frying helps prevent cheese from leaking out during cooking.
  • You can substitute the Organic Valley® Stringles® with any similar mozzarella string cheese sticks.
  • For extra crispiness, you can double coat by repeating the flour, egg, and breadcrumb steps.
  • Keep an eye on the mozzarella sticks while air frying as cooking times may vary by air fryer brand and model.
  • Serve immediately for the best texture and taste, as mozzarella sticks can become soggy if left to sit.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Mozzarella sticks, air fryer snacks, vegetarian appetizer, crispy cheese sticks, easy appetizer

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