Air-Fried Mozzarella Cheese Bites with Spicy Marinara Sauce

Air-Fried Mozzarella Cheese Bites with Spicy Marinara Sauce
  • PREP TIME
    10 mins
  • COOK TIME
    10 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    1 hrs 20 mins
  • SERVING
    6 People
  • VIEWS
    12

Indulge in the crispy, cheesy delight of these air-fried mozzarella bites, perfectly paired with a zesty, homemade marinara sauce. A delightful appetizer or snack that's sure to please any crowd!

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    23 g
  • Cholesterol
    46 mg
  • Fiber
    1 g
  • Protein
    11 g
  • Saturated Fat
    4 g
  • Sodium
    574 mg
  • Sugar
    3 g
  • Fat
    7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Prepare the Breading Station: In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg and water. In another shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and Italian seasoning. Place the panko bread crumbs in a third shallow dish. (5 minutes)

02

Step

Bread the Mozzarella: Dip each mozzarella stick into the egg mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Then, dredge it in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip it back into the egg mixture, and finally, coat it thoroughly with the panko bread crumbs. (15 minutes)

03

Step

Freeze the Bites: Place the breaded mozzarella bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for at least 1 hour to ensure they hold their shape during air frying. (60 minutes)

04

Step

Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. (5 minutes)

05

Step

Air Fry to Perfection: Arrange the frozen mozzarella bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. Cook for 4-6 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the cheese just begins to melt. Repeat with any remaining bites. (6 minutes)

06

Step

Prepare the Spicy Marinara: While the mozzarella bites are cooking, stir together the marinara sauce and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl. (2 minutes)

07

Step

Serve Immediately: Serve the hot, crispy mozzarella bites immediately with the spicy marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy! (2 minutes)

For best results, ensure the mozzarella sticks are well-frozen before air frying. This helps prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking out.
Feel free to experiment with different seasonings in the bread crumb mixture. Garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika can add extra flavor.
If you don't have panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs can be used, but the texture may not be as crispy.
Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes in the marinara sauce to suit your spice preference.

Calista Rutherford

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.0/ 5 ( 4 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (10)
  • Raegan Kris

    So good and easy. A new go-to appetizer

  • Deontae Bashirian

    The freezing step is crucial. Mine came out perfectly!

  • Bobby Batz

    These turned out great! The Panko breadcrumbs made them extra crispy

  • Ashley Kunde

    These were so easy and quick to make! My kids loved them.

  • Geovanny Haley

    I didn't have panko, so I used regular breadcrumbs. Still good, but will try with panko next time

  • Constance Kozey

    I made a big batch for a party and they were gone in minutes!

  • Sheila Berge

    Freezing them beforehand is key! They came out perfectly crispy.

  • Candido Johnson

    Definitely making these again for our next party!

  • Reed Schiller

    I added some garlic powder to the breadcrumbs and it was delicious.

  • Dereck Schoen

    The spicy marinara sauce was the perfect complement to the mozzarella bites.

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