Air-Fried Mozzarella Cheese Bites with Spicy Marinara Sauce
Description
These mozzarella sticks are coated in Italian-seasoned bread crumbs, cooked until crispy in the air fryer, and served with a zesty marinara dipping sauce.
Ingredients
•
1 egg, lightly beaten
•
1 tablespoon water
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1/2 cup all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
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3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
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6 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut in half, crosswise
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cooking spray
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3/4 cup marinara sauce
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1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Directions
1
Whisk egg and water together in a shallow dish. Stir flour, salt, and Italian seasoning together in another shallow dish. Place bread crumbs in a third shallow dish.
2
Dip cheese sticks into egg mixture, then coat with flour mixture. Dip again into egg mixture, then into bread crumbs until coated. Place on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
3
Preheat an air fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
4
Place frozen cheese bites in a single layer in the air fryer, working in batches if necessary, being careful not to crowd.
5
Cook in the preheated air fryer until golden brown and cheese just begins to melt, 4 to 6 minutes. Repeat with remaining bites.
6
Meanwhile, stir together marinara sauce and crushed red pepper.
7
Serve mozzarella bites with marinara sauce.