Air fryer breaded mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce

Ingredients

• 500 g low-moisture block mozzarella
• 100 g all-purpose wheat flour
• 3 pieces fresh eggs
• 180 g plain fine breadcrumbs
• 30 g finely grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp fine salt
• 2 pinches ground black pepper
• 30 ml neutral oil in a spray bottle
• 200 ml marinara sauce
• 4 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley

Method

1. Drain the mozzarella carefully if the surface is damp, then cut it into even sticks as thick as classic mozzarella sticks. Pat each side with paper towels: the cheese must feel dry so the flour can adhere.
2. Prepare three shallow dishes. Put the flour in the first. Beat the eggs in the second until smooth and fluid. In the third, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Bread the sticks once: roll them in the flour, removing the excess, dip them in the beaten egg, then coat them with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to cover the corners and ends. The surface must be completely matte, with no cheese showing.
4. Apply a second coating to reinforce the shell: dip each stick in the egg again, then in the seasoned breadcrumbs. Pay special attention to the ends, where the cheese escapes most easily during cooking.
5. Arrange the breaded sticks in a single layer on a tray and place them in the freezer until firm at the center. They should be hard to the touch, with no softness in the middle: this step is essential for clean air fryer cooking.
6. Preheat the air fryer to 200 °C. Lightly spray the basket with oil, then spray the sticks on all sides. Arrange them in a single layer without letting them touch, so air can circulate and the coating dries instead of softening.
7. Cook at 200 °C for 6 to 8 minutes, turning them carefully halfway through. They are ready when the coating is golden, dry, and crisp, with perhaps a slight bubbling of cheese at the ends, but before the mozzarella actually runs out.
8. While the sticks cook, gently heat the marinara sauce in a small saucepan or in the microwave until very hot and lightly steaming. Pour it into a small bowl.
9. Let the sticks rest for one short minute after removing them from the air fryer: the coating firms up and the cheese stays stretchy without burning your mouth. Serve immediately with the hot marinara sauce and a little chopped flat-leaf parsley.

Nutrition

Per serving

Energy

778.4 kcal

Protein

43.54 g

Carbohydrate

37.94 g

Fat

52.31 g

Fibre

2.62 g

Calcium

102.29 mg

Iron

1.15 mg

Magnesium

18.86 mg