Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients

12 low-moisture mozzarella sticks frozen
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt divided in half
½ cup panko bread crumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tbsp minced fresh basil
2 large eggs
1 tbsp water
Optional garnish: fresh, chopped basil

Directions

Be sure to have your mozzarella sticks completely frozen before you begin this recipe. Do not remove them from the freezer until you are ready to coat and cook them.

Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, if your model requires preheating.

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour and ½ teaspoon of salt. Set aside.

In a separate, shallow bowl whisk together the panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil and ½ teaspoon of salt. Set aside with the bowl of flour.

In a third shallow bowl, beat together the eggs and water with a fork or wire whisk. Place in between the other bowls and remove 6 mozzarella cheese sticks from the freezer.

One at a time, coat the mozzarella sticks in the flour, making sure that they are completely covered. Following the flour, dip the sticks into the egg mixture, covering them completely.

Place the mozzarella sticks in the panko mixture and turn multiple times, until they are lightly covered in the mixture.

Place the sticks back in the eggs and re-coat them.

Finish by placing them back in the panko bowl and coating them a final time.

Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking oil and then place the sticks in the air fryer in a single, non touching layer and cook for 6-8 minutes or until lightly golden brown all over.

While the first batch is cooking, remove the remaining sticks from the freezer and prepare them following steps 6 through 9. When the first batch finishes, cook the second batch in the same way.

Let the cheese sticks set for 1-2 minutes after cooking and garnish with fresh, chopped basil, optional.

Serve with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.