Name: Mozzarella sticks in the airfryer
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 300 g mozzarella in a block (not in brine, ideally “pizza mozzarella”); 60 g all-purpose flour; 2 pcs eggs; 140 g breadcrumbs (preferably panko); 20 g Parmesan or hard cheese (optional, into the breadcrumbs); 3 g soli; 2 g sweet paprika powder; 1 g garlic powder (optional); 10 ml spray oil or 1 teaspoon oil (for light spraying); For serving (optional); 150 g tomato dip / passata / ketchup

Mozzarella sticks in the airfryer

Mozzarella sticks in the airfryer are an awesome party snack… until one time they melt and turn your basket into a cheese bath. To prevent leaking you only need three things: the right mozzarella (block, not a soft ball), double coating, and thorough freezing. Then just a few minutes in the airfryer and you have crispy sticks with molten cheese inside, just like from a bistro—only without frying and without greasy oil smell.

⏱ 25 min● easy♨ 4 servings

Step by step

Instructions

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1Step 1Remove the mozzarella from the packaging and pat dry with a paper towel. Cut it into sticks – ideally about 10×1.5 cm. Don’t cut them too thin; thin ones heat through quickly and the cheese is more likely to leak.
2Step 2Prepare your breading stations. Put flour and a pinch of salt in the first bowl. Crack the egg into the second, add a pinch of salt and beat. Put breadcrumbs, paprika, optional garlic powder and Parmesan in the third. Mix so the seasoning is evenly distributed through the breadcrumbs.
3Step 3Now comes the “anti-leak” part: double coating. Coat each stick first in flour, then in egg, then in breadcrumbs and press lightly. Then dip it again in egg and again in breadcrumbs. The goal is to create a continuous coating with no gaps – especially at the ends of the sticks, where the cheese most often escapes.
4Step 4Arrange the coated sticks on a tray or plate and put them in the freezer for at least 60 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, leave them at least 30 minutes, but the longer the better to avoid disaster. The sticks should be firm to the touch.
5Step 5Preheat the air fryer to 200 °C. Take the sticks out of the freezer, lightly spray them with oil (or brush them lightly with oil) – this will make the coating nicely golden and crispy. Place them in the basket in a single layer with space between them. Don’t overcrowd the basket, or they won’t cook evenly.
6Step 6Bake 6–8 minutes at 200 °C. Check after 5 minutes – every air fryer cooks a bit differently. As soon as they are golden and the first sign of a cheese “bubble” appears at the seam, remove them immediately. Better 30 seconds early than 30 seconds late.
7Step 7Serve immediately while the cheese inside is beautifully molten. The classic choice is a tomato dip or passata with a bit of salt and herbs.

Kitchen tip

The most common reason mozzarella sticks leak is soft mozzarella in brine. Use block/pizza mozzarella and really dry it. The second issue is a “leaky” coating – do a double breading and focus on the ends of the sticks. Third is freezing: without it it’s a lottery.

Customize this recipe

Variants and alternatives

Spicy version: add chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the breadcrumbs. Herby: add dried oregano/basil – it’ll be more “pizza” style. Cheddar sticks: the same breading works for firmer cheddar too, just expect it to melt faster. Pre-toast the breadcrumbs: if you want extra color without long baking, briefly toast the breadcrumbs dry in a pan (just until light golden) and then bread – the sticks will brown faster.

Approximate per serving

Nutritional values

Energie~360 kcalProteins~20 gSacharidy~24 gTuky~20 g

Mozzarella sticks in the airfryer

Instructions

Variants and alternatives

Nutritional values

Save this recipe for next time.

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Instructions

Variants and alternatives

Nutritional values

Save this recipe for next time.

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Homemade muesli bars with apple and raisins for a school snack

Carrot and pumpkin purée with potato for little ones in under 20 minutes

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Write a comment Cancel reply

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