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Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe Easy Homemade Gooey Center

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks with a gooey, melty center. Perfect for a less greasy, crowd-pleasing snack or appetizer.

Ingredients

  • Mozzarella sticks – frozen, store-bought or homemade (recommend Galbani for quality and meltiness)
  • All-purpose flour – about ½ cup (60 g / 0.5 cup)
  • Large eggs – 2, beaten (room temperature)
  • Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs – 1 cup (100 g / 1 cup), preferably Panko-style
  • Grated Parmesan cheese – ¼ cup (25 g / 0.25 cup)
  • Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon
  • Salt – ½ teaspoon
  • Black pepper – ¼ teaspoon, freshly ground
  • Cooking spray – olive oil or avocado oil spray

Instructions

  1. Prepare your breading stations: In three separate shallow bowls, place the flour, beaten eggs, and the breadcrumb mixture (combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper). Estimate 5 minutes.
  2. Coat the mozzarella sticks: One at a time, roll each stick in flour, tapping off excess, then dip into the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumb mixture. For an extra crispy crust, repeat the egg and breadcrumb step once more. Place coated sticks on a wire rack or parchment-lined plate to set for 10 minutes.
  3. Preheat your air fryer: Set to 390°F (200°C) and allow it to heat for 3 minutes.
  4. Arrange the sticks in the air fryer basket: Spray them lightly with cooking spray to encourage browning. Lay them in a single layer without overcrowding to ensure even cooking. Cooking in batches may be necessary. Time: 2 minutes.
  5. Cook the mozzarella sticks: Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through with tongs for even crispness. Watch closely after 6 minutes to avoid cheese leakage. The sticks should be golden brown and crisp.
  6. Cooling and serving: Let sticks rest for 1-2 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set slightly (but still oozy!).

Notes

Double breading helps prevent cheese leakage and creates a sturdier crust. Chill coated sticks before air frying to set the coating. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to maintain crispiness. If cheese oozes too early, freeze assembled sticks briefly before cooking. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer mozzarella sticks, crispy mozzarella sticks, easy snack, cheesy appetizer, homemade mozzarella sticks, air fryer recipes, gooey cheese sticks

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/crispy-air-fryer-mozzarella-sticks-recipe-easy-homemade-gooey-center/