Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
These crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks deliver a perfect balance of a golden, crunchy crust and gooey, stretchy cheese inside. Quick and easy to make, they are a crowd-pleasing snack perfect for parties or solo indulgence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 sticks (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 pre-cut frozen mozzarella sticks (about 1 lb)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (60 g)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (150 g)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Cooking spray or oil mist (such as avocado oil spray)
Instructions
- Prep your coating stations: place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in a second bowl, and mix Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper in a third bowl.
- Coat the mozzarella sticks one at a time: roll each frozen stick in flour, shaking off excess; dip into beaten eggs; then roll in breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. For extra crispiness, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating once more.
- Place the breaded sticks on a baking sheet or plate and freeze for at least 30 minutes to prevent cheese leakage during cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray. Arrange mozzarella sticks in a single layer without touching to ensure even cooking.
- Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying lightly with cooking spray each time. Adjust time as needed for a golden-brown crust and melted cheese center.
- Serve immediately with your favorite marinara sauce, ranch dip, or other preferred dipping sauces.
Notes
Double breading and freezing the coated sticks before cooking are essential to prevent cheese leakage and achieve a crispy crust. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for even cooking. If mozzarella sticks brown too fast but cheese isn’t melted, lower temperature to 370°F and cook longer. For gluten-free option, substitute almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs and monitor cooking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 mozzarella sticks
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 15
Keywords: mozzarella sticks, air fryer, crispy, cheesy, snack, appetizer, easy recipe, party food