Creative Cooks

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 8 minutes Freeze time: 1 to 2 hours Yield: 8 mozzarella sticks

Ingredients

1 large egg
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
8 whole milk (or low-fat) mozzarella sticks

Special equipment:

Air Fryer
Wax paper

Method

1 Do the prep work: Line a rimmed baking sheet with wax paper. Lightly beat the egg in a wide, shallow bowl.
Combine the Italian seasoning, salt, and breadcrumbs in a second wide, shallow bowl.
2 Coat the mozzarella sticks and freeze them: Dip a mozzarella stick into the beaten egg and coat it completely. Dip the stick into the bowl with the breadcrumbs and coat completely. This will be messy. It’s okay.
Transfer to a wax paper-lined rimmed baking sheet and line them up so they are not touching. Freeze for 1/2 hour minimum, 1 hour maximum.
3 Coat the mozzarella sticks again, and freeze them, again. Pull the mozzarella sticks out of the freezer, dip them into the egg and then the breadcrumb mix, and then freeze them for another 1/2 hour minimum, 1 hour maximum.
4 Air fry the mozzarella sticks: Set your air fryer to 390°F. Spray the air fryer basket and the mozzarella sticks with a nonstick cooking spray. Air fry the mozzarella sticks (in batches if desired or necessary, as space permits) for 6 to 8 minutes until the exterior is golden and crispy.
5 Serve! Remove from the fryer, cool just long enough to avoid burning your tongue, and eat immediately!