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Air fryer mozzarella sticks ready to serve
Vagner Carvalho

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks with a Double Crumb Coating

Homemade mozzarella sticks need a firm coating and a frozen center before they meet the hot air. Skipping either step can leave a puddle of cheese in the basket.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Freezing 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 32 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 440
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 low-moisture mozzarella string cheese sticks, about 1 ounce (28 g) each
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 cup (60 g) plain panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup (55 g) fine plain breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil, brushed or pump-sprayed

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Three shallow bowls
  • Freezer-safe tray

Method
 

  1. Unwrap and dry the cheese sticks. Put flour in one bowl, beat the eggs and water in another, and combine both types of breadcrumbs with herbs and garlic powder in a third.
  2. Coat each stick lightly in flour, dip in egg and cover with crumbs. Dip again in egg and crumbs, pressing gently over both ends. Place on a tray without touching.
  3. Freeze the coated sticks for at least 2 hours and until solid throughout. Do not substitute a short refrigerator chill.
  4. Preheat to 390°F (200°C) as directed by the manual. Lightly brush or spray the frozen sticks with the measured oil. Arrange about six in one layer with space between them.
  5. Air fry for 5–6 minutes, checking at 4 minutes. Turn gently if needed. Remove when the coating is golden and the center is soft, before substantial cheese leaks out. Repeat with the second batch and serve immediately.

Notes

Planning times depend on batch size, thickness and appliance. The batch needs about 20 minutes of coating work, at least 2 hours of freezing and approximately 10–12 minutes of cooking in two batches. Nutrition is an ingredient-based estimate per serving (3 sticks). Per 3 sticks, counting all coating ingredients and oil, including breading that may be discarded. Values vary substantially by cheese and breadcrumb brand. Marinara is excluded. Illustrative images are generated, not a record of a personal cooking test.