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Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Easy Herb-Spiced Recipe for Perfect Snack

crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks - featured image

These crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks feature a herb-spiced coating that delivers a perfect crunchy exterior and gooey cheese inside, making for a quick and satisfying snack without the mess of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Mozzarella cheese sticks (string cheese sticks preferred, full-fat for best texture)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (60 g)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs (150 g)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Cooking spray or olive oil spray

Instructions

  1. Line up three shallow bowls: place flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and combine breadcrumbs with oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the third.
  2. Roll each mozzarella stick in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into beaten eggs, and finally coat with the herb-spiced breadcrumb mixture. For a thicker crust, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating once more.
  3. Arrange coated sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a plate and freeze for at least 30 minutes to prevent cheese leaks during cooking.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray the frozen sticks with cooking spray on all sides. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket with space between each stick.
  6. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the coating is golden brown and crispy.
  7. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce such as marinara, garlic aioli, ranch, or spicy sriracha mayo.

Notes

Freezing the coated mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes before cooking is essential to prevent cheese leakage. Use cooking spray to achieve a golden, crispy crust. For batches, keep cooked sticks warm in a low oven (200°F/90°C) to avoid sogginess. Adjust air fryer temperature to 375°F (190°C) if it runs hot and increase cook time slightly.

Nutrition

Keywords: mozzarella sticks, air fryer, crispy snack, herb-spiced, easy recipe, party snack, quick snack