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

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Crispy, melty, golden mozzarella sticks made in the air fryer paired with a quick homemade marinara sauce. A quick, satisfying snack without the mess of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Mozzarella cheese sticks (good-quality string cheese, preferably part-skim)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for marinara sauce)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (for marinara sauce)
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes (canned, for marinara sauce)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano (for marinara sauce)
  • Salt to taste (for marinara sauce)
  • Pinch of sugar (optional, for marinara sauce)
  • Fresh basil, chopped (optional, for marinara sauce)

Instructions

  1. Remove mozzarella sticks from wrappers and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Set up breading stations: place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in a second bowl, and mix panko, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a third bowl.
  3. Dredge each frozen mozzarella stick in flour, shake off excess, dip in beaten eggs, then coat with breadcrumb mixture. Repeat egg wash and breadcrumb coating once more for extra crispiness.
  4. Place coated sticks on a plate and freeze for another 15 minutes.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  6. Lightly spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange sticks in a single layer without overcrowding.
  7. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  8. While sticks cook, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
  9. Add crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and a pinch of sugar if desired. Simmer gently for about 10 minutes. Stir in fresh basil if using.
  10. Serve mozzarella sticks hot with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Freeze mozzarella sticks before and after breading to prevent cheese leakage. Double coating with egg and breadcrumbs creates a thicker, crunchier crust. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket for even cooking. Use non-stick spray or light oil brushing to prevent sticking. For gluten-free, substitute flour and panko with gluten-free versions. For dairy-free, use vegan mozzarella and dairy-free breading but watch melting points.

Nutrition

Keywords: mozzarella sticks, air fryer, snack, homemade, marinara sauce, crispy, cheesy, appetizer

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