Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (Printable)

Golden mozzarella sticks cooked in the air fryer, served with a zesty homemade marinara dip.

# What You’ll Use:

→ Cheese

01 - 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
03 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Coating

09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 2 tablespoons milk
11 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

→ Marinara Dip

12 - 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
13 - 1 clove garlic, minced
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
17 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How-To:

01 - Unwrap mozzarella sticks and cut each in half to create 24 bite-sized pieces if desired. Place on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for at least 1 hour until completely firm.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls in sequence: fill the first with all-purpose flour, whisk eggs with milk in the second bowl, and combine breadcrumbs, panko, garlic powder, oregano, basil, black pepper, and salt in the third bowl.
03 - Working quickly to prevent cheese thawing, coat each frozen stick in flour, dip into egg mixture, then roll thoroughly in breadcrumb mixture. For enhanced crispiness, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating process a second time.
04 - Arrange breaded sticks on a parchment-lined tray in a single layer and freeze for 30 minutes to ensure moisture retention during air frying.
05 - Set air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and preheat for 3 minutes.
06 - Arrange frozen coated sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Lightly spray with cooking spray and air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, turning basket halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy. Remove immediately upon completion.
07 - While mozzarella sticks cook, heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Transfer hot mozzarella sticks to a serving platter and pair with warm marinara dip.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cheese stays melted and gooey inside while the outside gets impossibly crispy—no more molten lava burning your mouth.
  • Air frying cuts the oil dramatically, so you can enjoy this classic comfort food without the heaviness.
  • Homemade marinara tastes fresher and more vibrant than jarred, and you control how spicy it gets.
  • The whole thing comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for unexpected guests or last-minute gatherings.
02 -
  • The double freeze is not optional if you want cheese that stays inside the breading—I learned this the hard way when my first batch turned into a melted mess.
  • Never skip the second freeze after breading; it's the secret that separates homemade mozzarella sticks from greasy disappointment.
  • Spray lightly with cooking spray rather than dousing them; too much oil defeats the purpose of air frying and makes them greasy instead of crispy.
  • Remove them the moment they're golden—those extra 30 seconds of cooking can turn perfection into an overcooked shell with no melted cheese inside.
03 -
  • Add finely grated Parmesan cheese to your breadcrumb mixture for a richer, more complex flavor that tastes restaurant-quality.
  • If your mozzarella sticks are particularly large, cutting them in half before freezing helps them cook more evenly and makes them easier to eat.
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