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A pile of golden-brown, crispy breaded Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks with fresh parsley garnish.

The Ultimate Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Achieve the ultimate cheese pull with these crispy, golden-brown Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks. Featuring a perfectly toasted double-breaded crust and a soft, melted core without the mess of deep frying.
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Prep Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 11 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
  • 12 sticks mozzarella string cheese Cut in half horizontally (12 oz / 340g total).
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour (60g)
  • 2 large eggs Beaten (100g total).
  • 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs (50g)
  • 0.5 cup Italian-style fine breadcrumbs (60g)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil spray (15ml) for coating.
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley Finely chopped (4g).
  • 1 cup marinara dipping sauce Thick and textured (240ml).

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer Basket or oven-style.
  • 3 Shallow Bowls For the breading station.

Method
 

Preparation and Cooking
  1. Cut the cheese sticks in half. Set up three separate shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with the mixed panko and Italian breadcrumbs.
  2. Roll each piece of cheese in the flour. Dip it completely into the beaten egg. Roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, then dip it back into the egg and roll it in the breadcrumbs a second time to ensure a thick, sealed crust.
  3. Place the breaded sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 60 minutes to prevent the cheese from exploding during cooking.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Spray the frozen sticks generously with olive oil spray. Air fry in a single layer for 5-7 minutes until the crust is golden-brown and visibly textured.
  5. Sprinkle with finely chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately with a small ramekin of thick marinara dipping sauce.

Notes

Tip 1: Do not skip the freezing step, or the cheese will melt entirely before the crust crisps.
Tip 2: Firmly press the breadcrumbs into the cheese on the second coat to seal any exposed areas.