Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks (Print Version)

Crispy golden mozzarella sticks paired with a flavorful, zesty marinara dip made from scratch.

# Components:

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Unwrap mozzarella sticks and cut each in half to create 24 bite-sized pieces if desired. Arrange on a tray and freeze for at least 1 hour until completely firm.
02 - Set up three shallow bowls with flour in the first, eggs whisked together with milk in the second, and combined breadcrumbs, panko, garlic powder, oregano, basil, pepper, and salt in the third.
03 - Working quickly with cold cheese, coat each frozen mozzarella stick in flour, then dip in egg mixture, then roll in breadcrumb mixture. For enhanced crispiness, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating steps a second time.
04 - Place breaded sticks on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for an additional 30 minutes to prevent cheese leakage during air frying.
05 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes until ready for cooking.
06 - Arrange breaded sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with cooking spray. Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy. Remove immediately to prevent overcooking.
07 - While sticks cook, heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for approximately 30 seconds until fragrant, then add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Transfer mozzarella sticks to a serving plate and serve immediately with warm marinara dip.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The air fryer makes them genuinely crispy without deep frying, so your kitchen doesn't smell like a fryer all week.
  • You control exactly what goes into the breading—no mystery ingredients or preservatives hiding in there.
  • Homemade marinara tastes so much fresher than jarred versions, and it takes barely longer to simmer than the sticks cook.
02 -
  • Skipping the second freeze is tempting but almost always results in cheese leaking into your air fryer—I learned this the frustrating way so you don't have to.
  • Double-coating the breading truly makes a difference in crispiness and isn't just fancy restaurant nonsense; the extra layer creates a texture that makes people ask why yours taste so much better than store-bought.
03 -
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at the 6-minute mark rather than waiting the full 8 minutes—every air fryer has its own personality.
  • The double-coat technique takes an extra minute or two but creates a noticeably crispier texture that makes people wonder if you somehow have a professional kitchen.
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