Description
Crispy and gooey air fryer mozzarella sticks made with a double coating of flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs. Perfectly golden and cheesy, these homemade snacks are quick to prepare and use the air fryer for a healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 400g block mozzarella cucina
Breading
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 1 tsp garlic granules
- 1 large free-range egg
- 40g/1½oz panko breadcrumbs
Others
- olive oil cooking spray
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the mozzarella: Cut the mozzarella block into strips about 1.5cm (⅝in) wide and pat them dry thoroughly using kitchen paper to remove excess moisture.
- Prepare the coating stations: In a shallow dish, combine the plain flour and garlic granules. In another dish, beat the egg with a generous pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. In a third dish, spread out the panko breadcrumbs.
- Double coat the mozzarella: Roll each mozzarella strip first in the flour mixture, then dip into the beaten egg, again into the flour and egg mixture for double coating, ensuring the pieces are fully covered each time to prevent leaking. Finally, coat them thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs.
- Freeze the coated cheese: Place the coated mozzarella sticks in the freezer for at least 30 minutes until they are solid. This step helps the coating stay intact during cooking.
- Air fry the mozzarella sticks: Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange a single layer of the mozzarella sticks without overcrowding. Spray the tops lightly with olive oil spray as well. Air fry at 200°C (392°F) for 10 minutes or until golden and crispy. Repeat with remaining batches, keeping cooked sticks warm until serving.
Notes
- Patting the mozzarella dry is essential to prevent soggy coating.
- Double coating with flour and egg helps create a strong crust that holds the cheese in place.
- Freezing before air frying reduces cheese leakage and helps achieve the perfect crispy texture.
- Use olive oil spray to keep the sticks light and crisp without excess oil.
- Serve immediately for the best gooey texture as mozzarella sticks harden upon cooling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes per batch
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: air fryer mozzarella sticks, crispy mozzarella sticks, mozzarella snack, breaded cheese sticks, easy appetizer
