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Yields:
6 serving(s)
Prep Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 25 mins
Cal/Serv:
791
Serious question: does anyone not like mozzarella sticks? This appetizer of gooey cheese coating in a crispy, fried coating is truly the stuff of legends, and a game day must. Although they’re a classic at casual neighborhood bars and the freezer section of the grocery store, this party app is also so simple to make at home! The secret? It’s all in the magic air fryer. They take a bit of patience (trust us, that freezing time is worth it), but the crispy result makes every second of prep worth it.
The secret to the best mozzarella sticks.
It may seem like a long wait time, but it’s imperative that you freeze your mozzarella sticks for at least 2 hours before coating and frying. Your sticks should be completely frozen and dry before diving into your dredging station; if your mozzarella sticks are even slightly damp or soggy, the coating won’t stick.
Top tips for air fryer mozzarella sticks:
— Crank up the heat. You want a high heat for these babies so the coating crisps up nicely. Set your air fryer (or oven) at 400°, then cook for around 6 minutes in the air fryer, 8-10 minutes in the oven.
— Flip halfway through. To ensure your sticks cook evenly, flip them halfway through so that each side gets perfectly crispy.
— Don’t overbake. We all want an extra-crispy coating, but if you cook your sticks for too long, you run the risk of the cheese oozing out—air on the side of caution.
— No air fryer? No problem! As mentioned before, these mozz sticks can totally be made in the oven. Simply preheat your oven to 400°, place on a lined baking sheet, then cook for 8-10 minutes.
Don’t forget to serve with homemade marinara sauce or ranch dressing (we don’t judge). Made these? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
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Ingredients
- 12
mozzarella sticks
- 2 cups
panko bread crumbs
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
- 2
large eggs, well-beaten
- 1/3 cup
all-purpose flour
Warm marinara, for serving
Directions
For air fryer
- Step 1Freeze mozzarella sticks until frozen solid, at least 2 hours.
- Step 2After 3 hours, set up a breading station: Place panko, eggs, and flour in 3 separate shallow bowls. Season panko generously with salt and pepper.
- Step 3Coat frozen mozzarella sticks in flour, then dip in egg, letting excess egg drip back into bowl, then panko, back in the egg, then back in the panko.
- Step 4Arrange frozen breaded mozzarella sticks in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer. Cook on 400° for 6 minutes, or until golden and crisp on the outside and melty in the center.
- Step 5Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
For oven
- Step 1Freeze mozzarella sticks until frozen solid, at least 2 hours.
- Step 2When ready to bread, preheat oven to 400° and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Set up a breading station: Place panko, eggs, and flour in 3 separate shallow bowls. Season panko generously with salt and pepper.
- Step 3Coat frozen mozzarella sticks in flour, then dip in egg, letting excess egg drip back into bowl, then panko, back in the egg, then back in the panko. Arrange on a baking sheet.
- Step 4Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, watching carefully so the cheese doesn’t ooze.
- Step 5Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
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