Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients

• •8 sticks low-moisture mozzarella string cheese
• •1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• •2 eggs, beaten
• •1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• •1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• •1/2 tsp dried basil
• •1/2 tsp garlic powder
• •as needed neutral oil spray
• •3/4 cup marinara sauce

Directions

1. 1Cut each mozzarella stick in half to make 16 pieces and freeze them for 30 minutes.
2. 2Set out flour, beaten eggs, and a bowl containing Italian breadcrumbs, panko, basil, and garlic powder.
3. 3Coat each frozen mozzarella piece in flour, egg, crumbs, egg again, then crumbs again; freeze the breaded sticks 20 minutes.
4. 4Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes and spray the basket and frozen mozzarella sticks lightly.
5. 5Air fry 8 sticks in one layer for 5–6 minutes without turning, removing them as soon as the coating browns before cheese leaks.
6. 6Repeat with the second batch and serve immediately with marinara sauce.

💡 The second freeze is not optional in an air fryer; cold cheese gives the coating time to crisp before the mozzarella becomes fluid enough to escape.

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