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

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Golden, crunchy mozzarella sticks made in the air fryer with a gooey cheese center, paired perfectly with tangy marinara dip. A quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing snack that’s healthier than deep-fried versions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 24 low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (120g)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs (200g)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50g)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (240ml), homemade or store-bought

Instructions

  1. Cut each mozzarella stick in half if smaller bites are preferred. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
  2. Set up dredging stations: bowl 1 with flour, salt, and pepper; bowl 2 with beaten eggs; bowl 3 with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  3. Dredge each frozen mozzarella stick in flour, shaking off excess, dip into eggs, then coat thoroughly in breadcrumb mixture. Repeat egg and breadcrumb step for a double coating.
  4. Place coated sticks back on parchment-lined tray and freeze for at least 1 hour.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  6. Spray air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray. Arrange sticks in a single layer without overcrowding. Spray tops lightly with cooking spray.
  7. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  8. Let sticks cool for 1-2 minutes before serving with warm marinara dip.

Notes

Freeze mozzarella sticks twice (before and after coating) to prevent cheese leakage. Use low-moisture mozzarella for best results. Do not overcrowd air fryer basket. Spray with oil before and after placing sticks in basket for golden crisp. Cooking times may vary by air fryer model.

Nutrition

Keywords: mozzarella sticks, air fryer, crispy snack, homemade, marinara dip, easy recipe, cheesy, appetizer

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