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Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe Easy Homemade Snack with Marinara Sauce

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These crispy air fryer mozzarella sticks are a quick, easy, and delicious homemade snack featuring a double breading process and served with zesty marinara sauce. Perfect for parties, after-school treats, or cozy comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Mozzarella cheese sticks (string cheese, full fat, preferably low moisture)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 ½ cups Italian-style breadcrumbs (panko mixed with Italian herbs)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme blend)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • Optional: red pepper flakes
  • Optional: fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: gluten-free breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Unwrap each mozzarella stick and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. Set up breading stations: place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in a second bowl, and combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a third bowl.
  3. Dip each mozzarella stick into the flour, coating all sides and shaking off excess.
  4. Dunk into the beaten eggs, letting excess drip off.
  5. Press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture to coat thoroughly.
  6. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb dip one more time for a double coating.
  7. Place the breaded sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  9. Arrange frozen sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
  10. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  11. Remove sticks carefully with tongs and serve hot with marinara sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley or Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Freezing the breaded sticks for at least 30 minutes is crucial to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking. Double breading creates a sturdy coating for extra crunch. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket and flip sticks halfway through cooking for even crispiness. Use low-moisture mozzarella sticks for best results. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to regain crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: mozzarella sticks, air fryer, crispy snack, homemade, marinara sauce, easy recipe, party appetizer, gluten-free option, vegetarian

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/crispy-air-fryer-mozzarella-sticks-recipe-easy-homemade-snack-with-marinara-sauce/