If you’re a fan of mozzarella sticks and have an air fryer, then you’re in for a treat! In this article, we will share with you a quick and delicious recipe to make mozzarella sticks in an air fryer, without the need for freezing. This means you can enjoy these cheesy and crispy snacks in no time!
Gather the Ingredients
Before we get started with the recipe, let’s go through the list of ingredients you’ll need to make these mouthwatering mozzarella sticks. You will need:
1. Mozzarella Cheese
First and foremost, you’ll need mozzarella cheese. Make sure to buy whole milk mozzarella, as it gives the best results. You can either buy pre-cut sticks or a block of mozzarella that you can cut into sticks yourself.
2. Breadcrumbs
Next, you’ll need breadcrumbs to give the mozzarella sticks a crispy coating. You can use either plain or seasoned breadcrumbs, depending on your preference. If you want an extra kick of flavor, you can even use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
3. Flour
To help the breadcrumbs stick to the mozzarella sticks, you’ll need all-purpose flour. It acts as a binding agent and enhances the crispiness of the coating. Make sure to have enough flour on hand for this step.
4. Eggs
Eggs will serve as the adhesive agent to help the flour and breadcrumbs stick to the mozzarella sticks. You’ll need a couple of eggs, beaten, to coat the cheese properly.
5. Cooking Spray or Olive Oil
Lastly, you will need cooking spray or olive oil to spray or brush onto the mozzarella sticks before air frying. This will help give them that beautiful golden-brown color and prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Prepare the Mozzarella Sticks
Now that we have gathered all the necessary ingredients let’s move on to the preparation steps:
1. Preheat the Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Preheating is essential to ensure that the mozzarella sticks cook evenly and become nice and crispy.
2. Cut Mozzarella into Sticks
If you bought a block of mozzarella, now is the time to cut it into sticks. Aim for finger-sized cuts, as they are easier to handle and will cook more evenly. If you purchased pre-cut sticks, you can skip this step.
3. Set up the Coating Station
To coat the mozzarella sticks, you’ll need three separate bowls or plates. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second bowl, beat the eggs. And in the third bowl, pour the breadcrumbs.
4. Coat the Mozzarella Sticks
Now comes the fun part – coating the mozzarella sticks! First, dip each stick into the flour, making sure it’s completely covered. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the stick generously with breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating. Repeat this process for all the mozzarella sticks.
Air Fry the Mozzarella Sticks
With the mozzarella sticks nicely coated, it’s time to air fry them to perfection:
1. Lightly Spray or Brush Oil
Before placing the mozzarella sticks into the air fryer, lightly spray or brush them with cooking spray or olive oil. This will help them brown evenly while giving them a nice crispy texture.
2. Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket
Carefully arrange the coated mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren’t touching each other. This will ensure that the sticks cook evenly and have enough space for the hot air to circulate.
3. Air Fry at the Right Temperature
Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the mozzarella sticks for about 6-8 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them as cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of the mozzarella sticks.
4. Flip for Even Cooking
After the initial cooking time, carefully flip the mozzarella sticks using tongs or a spatula. This will ensure both sides get evenly cooked and provide that satisfying crunch with each bite.
5. Cook for a Few More Minutes
Place the flipped mozzarella sticks back into the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Keep in mind that cooking times can vary, so adjust accordingly.
Serve and Enjoy!
Once the mozzarella sticks are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve them with your favorite marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or any other dipping sauce of your choice. These mozzarella sticks make a fantastic appetizer, party snack, or even a quick and delicious meal.
In conclusion, making mozzarella sticks in an air fryer without freezing is a breeze! With just a handful of simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you’ll be enjoying crispy and gooey mozzarella sticks in no time. So, dust off your air fryer and give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!