Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Dipping Sauce

Name: Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Dipping Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 48 min
Yield: 24 serving
Ingredients: 12 mozzarella low-moisture string cheese sticks; ½ cup all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 2 large eggs; 1 cup breadcrumbs; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; cooking spray; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 cloves garlic; 1 cup marinara sauce; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

User Reviews

5.0

3 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Chill Time
30 mins
Total Time
48 mins
Servings
24
Calories
102 kcal
Course
Lunch

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Dipping Sauce

Jade Rice

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Soft, gooey, melted mozzarella cheese inside a crispy and lightly crunchy golden brown exterior is what you have with this quick and EASY mozzarella cheese sticks recipe! Pair them with my herb-flavored marinara sauce for dipping! The perfect appetizer for your next game day party, casual entertaining event, or just a tv night at home because everyone LOVES these!

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Ingredients

Servings

Mozzarella Sticks

12 mozzarella low-moisture string cheese sticks halved (I like the Sargento brand)
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 large eggs beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs I use regular, panko may be substituted for extra crunchy sticks
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon salt or to taste
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
cooking spray

Marinara Dipping Sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1 cup marinara sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon salt or to taste
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste

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Instructions

Mozzarella Sticks

Unwrap the cheese sticks and cut them in half so you have 24 pieces.
To a medium shallow bowl, add the flour, cornstarch, and mix to combine; set aside.
In a separate medium shallow bowl, add the eggs, and lightly beat them; set aside.
In a separate medium shallow bowl, add the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and stir to combine.
Take one piece of cheese and dip it through the flour mixture to coat all sides, then a brief dip in the egg, and then dip in the breadcrumbs mixture. Tip - Make sure to really get a nice even coat especially with the breadcrumbs. This will keep the cheese from exploding in the air fryer and will keep it in the stick shape. If there are a lot of patches then the cheese will ooze out.
Place the coated piece of cheese on a plate and repeat with the remaining 23 pieces.
Place the plate in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours. Tip - Do not skip this step because if you try to air fry without doing it, the cheese will become so warm it will melt so much it will ooze out before the outer coating would have a chance toc crisp up to a nice golden browned color, so do not skip chilling! Make-Ahead and Freeze - If you want to make a double batch and freeze half (or are putting half of one batch into the freezer rather than air frying all 24 pieces), simply add the cheese sticks to a ziptop freezer bag or freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Remember, you should freeze cheese sticks that have NOT yet been airfried. When you do go to air fry them, you'll want to add 2-3 minutes of total air frying time, or as necessary, since they will be very cold.
When you're ready to air fry, preheat your air fryer to 400F, spray the air fryer basket well with cooking spray, place the chilled cheese sticks in an even, single layer (do not crowd), spray with cooking spray, shut the basket drawer, and air fry for about 6 to 8 minutes, stopping to check and flip once midway through. Tips - Since all air fryers have a slightly different heat output, cooking time will vary. You will likely need to air fry in TWO batches because even an XL air fryer basket likely isn't large enough to accomodate all 24 pieces at once. If you crowd them, the air can't circulate, and then the cheese sticks won't crisp up nicely. Make sure to use cooking spray, sprayed generously, because that little bit of oil is necessary to really allow the breadcrumbs and cheese coating mixture to turn golden and crispy. If in doubt, give another spray, and remember to spray again when flipping.
While the cheese sticks are air frying, optionally (but recommended), make the herb marinara sauce.

Marinara Dipping Sauce

To a small saucepan, add the olive oil, garlic, and saute over medium-high heat for about 1 minute, or until garlic is fragrant; stir nearly continuously.
Add the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and simmer over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through and slightly thickened.
Serve the cheese sticks warm and fresh with the warm herb marinara dipping sauce, or as desired. Ranch or blue cheese dressing are also good options for dipping.

Notes

Storage and Reheating - Cheese sticks are best warm and fresh. Leftovers will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days. I reheat them in the. microwave on high for about 15-30 seconds. However, note that they will not stay crispy and crunchy after sealed in a container and then reheated. You can try to "revive" them and re-crisp them by placing them in the air fryer again for a few minutes, or oven-baking them at 350-400F for a couple of minutes, or as necessary. Extra marinara sauce will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Making Without an Air Fryer - Please read the blog post but you can do it, and if you have a convection oven, that's preferred to a regular oven, but both will work. Dredge, batter, and chill the cheese sticks exactly the same. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 400F, and bake on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet for easier cleanup. Spray both the baking sheet and the cheese sticks with cooking spray, and baked for about 8 minutes, or as necessary. Flip once halfway through.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1 Calories 102kcal (5%) Carbohydrates 7g (2%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 30mg (10%) Sodium 309mg (13%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 102 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1
Calories	102kcal	5%
Carbohydrates	7g	2%
Protein	6g	12%
Fat	5g	8%
Saturated Fat	3g	15%
Polyunsaturated Fat	2g	12%
Cholesterol	30mg	10%
Sodium	309mg	13%
Fiber	1g	4%
Sugar	1g	2%