Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe Easy Homemade Snack
These crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks are homemade, golden, crunchy on the outside, and gooey on the inside. They are a quick, easy, and healthier snack option made from scratch with simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 16 sticks (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks (regular string cheese, firm kind)
- ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten (room temperature)
- 1½ cups (150g) Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano and basil combined (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray
Instructions
- Unwrap the mozzarella sticks and cut each in half to create 16 sticks total. Place them on a parchment-lined plate and freeze for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Set up breading stations: place ½ cup flour in the first shallow bowl, beat 2 large eggs in the second, and mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano and basil, salt, and pepper in the third bowl.
- Dredge each frozen mozzarella stick in flour, shaking off excess, then dip in egg wash, and coat thoroughly in breadcrumb mixture. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb step once more for a thicker crust.
- Place coated sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray. Arrange sticks in a single layer without overcrowding. Spray tops lightly with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Let sticks rest for 2 minutes after cooking and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Chilling the mozzarella sticks twice (before and after breading) is key to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking. Use cooking spray lightly to get a golden crust without deep frying. If you don’t have an air fryer, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. For gluten-free, substitute flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free versions. For dairy-free, use vegan mozzarella and plant-based substitutes for eggs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 mozzarella sticks
- Calories: 300
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Protein: 20
Keywords: mozzarella sticks, air fryer, crispy snack, homemade, easy recipe, appetizer, cheese sticks, quick snack