Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients

• 8 cheese sticks or thick fingers, chilled or frozen
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• ½ tsp oregano (optional)
• Ketchup, to serve (optional)
• Oil spray

Steps

1. Mix the oregano into the breadcrumbs so the coating is seasoned throughout.
2. Set up three shallow bowls: flour, beaten egg, and the seasoned breadcrumbs.
3. Coat each cheese stick first in flour, tapping off the excess.
4. Dip into the egg, then press into the breadcrumbs so they stick firmly.
5. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb dip a second time on each stick for a thicker crust that's less likely to crack open in the fryer.
6. Arrange the coated sticks on a plate and freeze for at least 30 minutes — this firms the cheese enough that it melts slowly instead of bursting through the coating.
7. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C and arrange the frozen sticks in a single layer with space between them.
8. Spray lightly with oil and air fry for 4 minutes.
9. Turn each stick over and air fry for the remaining 4 minutes, until deep golden all over.
10. Watch closely in the last minute — a crack in the coating is exactly when the cheese starts to ooze — and pull them the moment they're golden.

Tip: Skipping the freeze step is the #1 reason these burst. Don’t rush it.

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Nutrition (per serving)

Estimated from standard ingredient data — actual values vary by brand and exact quantities used.

Serving & Storage