Ingredients
- 12 mozzarella string cheeses
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Warm marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Freeze the cheese. Freeze the string cheeses (in their wrappers) for at least 1 hour until completely firm.
- Set up breading. Put the flour in one shallow dish, the beaten eggs in a second, and the breadcrumbs mixed with panko, garlic powder, and salt in a third.
- Double-coat. Unwrap each frozen cheese stick. Coat in flour, then egg, then crumbs — then repeat egg and crumbs for a double shell. Press the crumbs on firmly.
- Freeze again. Arrange on a parchment-lined tray and freeze 30 minutes more. This second freeze is what prevents blowouts.
- Air fry. Spray the basket with oil. Air fry at 390°F (199°C) for 6-8 minutes, flipping once, until deep golden. Work in batches — don't crowd.
- Serve immediately. These wait for no one. Serve straight from the fryer with warm marinara.
🧀 Cheese-pull science
Frozen-solid cheese is the whole game — the crust sets before the cheese fully melts. Double-breading seals every gap where cheese could escape. A light oil spray gives fried-level browning without a deep fryer. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes; the microwave makes them rubbery.
Common questions
Why did my cheese explode out?
The cheese wasn't frozen solid, the coating had gaps, or the basket was overcrowded. Double-freeze, double-bread, and give them space.
Can I use fresh mozzarella?
Stick with low-moisture string cheese — fresh mozzarella is too wet and melts into a puddle before the crust sets.
Can I bake these instead?
Yes — bake at 425°F on a greased rack for 8-10 minutes. Slightly less crisp than air-fried, still delicious.
How do I reheat leftovers?
Air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes restores the crunch. Never microwave — the coating goes soggy and the cheese turns rubbery.
Love this recipe?
Save it to your "Healthy Snack Ideas" board so a melty cheese-pull snack is always one click away.
📌 Pin it for later