Go Back
–+ servings
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks recipe from The Country Cook.
Print

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Golden brown, crispy cheese sticks made in the Air Fryer.
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 13 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Freeze Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 161kcal
Author Brandie Skibinski

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 Tablespoon water
  • 1 cup plain or Italian Panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (optional if using Italian breadcrumbs)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (plus an additional pinch)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (plus an additional pinch)
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks
  • nonstick cooking spray
  • freshly chopped (or dried) parsley (for serving, optional)

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, add 2 large eggs and 1 Tablespoon water. Beat them with a fork until combined.
    A bowl with a fork whisking eggs and water.
  • In a separate, shallow dish add 1 cup plain or Italian Panko breadcrumbs, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper and 1 Tablespoon vegetable or olive oil. Use a fork to mix.
    A shallow dish with Panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and oil.
  • In another separate, shallow dish add 1/3 cup all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
    A shallow dish with flour, salt, and pepper.
  • Remove the plastic wrappings from 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks and slice each one in half lengthwise.
  • Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Make sure it's a baking sheet that will fit in your freezer. Set aside.
  • Take one stick and dip it into the egg mixture, allow the excess to drain off.
    A cut cheese stick in the egg wash.
  • Then roll the stick in the flour, coating all sides.
    An egg wash coated cheese stick in the flour mixture.
  • Then dip the floured cheese stick back into the egg again and allow the excess to drain off.
  • Finally, roll the stick in the panko mixture covering all sides.
    The flour dipped cheese stick in the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Place the stick on the baking sheet. Continue this process with the remaining sticks.
    A parchment lined baking sheet with a bunch of uncooked Mozzarella Sticks.
  • Once all sticks are coated, place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
  • When ready to prepare, preheat a 6 quart basket air fryer to 390F degrees.
  • Remove the sticks from the freezer and generously spray all sides of each stick with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Once preheated, place the sticks in the basket with a space in between. You’ll likely need to cook these in two batches.
    Mozzarella sticks in an Air Fryer to be fried.
  • Cook for 4-7 minutes or until the sticks are crispy. Begin checking the sticks at the four-minute mark as you want to remove them before cheese starts to escape the crispy coating.
    Fried Mozzarella sticks in an Air Fryer basket.
  • Serve immediately topped with freshly chopped (or dried) parsley (optional) and with your favorite dipping sauce… ranch, marinara, etc.
    A few up piled up Mozzarella Sticks with one broken open.

Notes

  • Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
  • A serving size is two mozzarella sticks.

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Sodium: 436mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g
QR Code linking back to recipe