Servings 8 servings
Ingredients
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs (plain or Italian style)
- Cooking spray
- Marinara sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, cut the mozzarella sticks in half width-wise.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
- In a second shallow dish, whisk together the eggs.
- In a third shallow dish, add the breadcrumbs.
- Dredge the mozzarella sticks in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip the mozzarella sticks into the eggs then coat them in the breadcrumbs. Transfer the coated mozzarella sticks onto a plate then place them in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
- Coat the frozen mozzarella sticks on all sides with cooking spray then add them to the air fryer.
- Air-fry the mozzarella sticks until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Air frying: All air fryers vary in intensity and heat circulation. If you start to see cheese escaping from the mozzarella sticks, it’s time to remove them.
- Baking instructions: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these from the frozen state in a 400°F oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Freezing: Arrange the breaded, uncooked mozzarella sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Reduce the temperature to 360°F and increase the cook time to 8-10 minutes to ensure they cook through and get perfectly gooey inside.
- Dipping Sauces: Mozzarella sticks are even better with the perfect dip! Try them with homemade marinara sauce for a classic pairing, buttermilk ranch dressing for a creamy contrast, barbecue sauce for a smoky twist or spicy ketchup for a little heat!
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