Why risk molten cheese burns from the microwave or deep fryer when you can have perfectly crispy, golden mozzarella sticks made in your trusty air fryer? These little sticks of joy are crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and totally foolproof.

Ingredients

For the Coating:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Egg Wash:

• 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp milk

For the Breadcrumb Mix:

• 1 ½ cups Romano breadcrumbs (or a mix of Romano cheese and panko)
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

For the Sticks:

• 12 mozzarella sticks (string cheese works great), cut in half

Instructions

1. Prep the Cheese:
   • Unwrap your mozzarella sticks and cut each in half for more manageable pieces. Lay them on a plate or tray and place them in the freezer for at least 1 hour. Freezing is crucial to prevent the cheese from melting and oozing out too quickly while cooking.
2. Set Up Your Coating Stations:
   • Station 1: Mix the flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish.
   • Station 2: In a separate dish, whisk together the eggs and milk until fully combined.
   • Station 3: In a third dish, mix the breadcrumbs, parsley, and red pepper flakes.
3. Coat the Cheese Sticks:
   • Roll each frozen stick in the seasoned flour, tap off excess.
   • Dip into the egg wash, let excess drip.
   • Press into the breadcrumb mix to coat evenly. For extra crunch, repeat the egg wash and breadcrumb step.
   • Place the coated sticks on a tray and repeat.
4. Prepare for Air Frying:
   • Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray basket with cooking oil.
   • Arrange sticks in a single layer, leaving space between. Lightly spray the tops with cooking oil.
5. Air Fry to Perfection:
   • Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway. Remove once golden and crispy.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Transfer to a plate and serve immediately with marinara sauce, ranch, or sriracha mayo for dipping!

Nutritional Information (per stick)

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 7g
• Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Calcium: 150mg